FirstPathway Weblog

On Thursday, December 8, 2011 Bob Kraft, Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners, joined Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett as he presented a bronze bald eagle sculpture to the city of Ningbo, China in celebration of Milwaukee’s five-year anniversary with the City.  In 2006, Milwaukee signed a cooperative MOU with Ningbo, China.

The gift, a beautifully carved, 6 ft., bronze bald eagle, created by artist Mike Capser, symbolizes the American spirit and continued development of a dynamic partnership between Ningbo and Milwaukee. The sculpture will be on display at the Ningbo Museum. This gift is in response to the 2008 presentation of Ningbo’s two stone lions to the city of Milwaukee. The lions can be seen at the entrance of the Zeidler Municipal Building on Broadway St. in downtown Milwaukee.

First Pathway Partners, Chairman/CEO and MMAC China Council Co-Chair Bob Kraft, spoke on behalf of Milwaukee Business leaders at the event.

Monday, November  28,  2011 – FirstPathway Partners was on site to celebrate the construction kick-off of its most recent project, a world class 201-room, 4-star, full-service, Marriott Hotel.  Armed with sledgehammers, Mayor Tom Barrett and FirstPathway Partners Chairman and CEO Bob Kraft were in attendance alongside representatives from Jackson Street Management, Marriott and White Lodging to bring down the first wall on the site that will later be transformed into the new Marriott.

This catalytic project funded in part by the FirstPathway EB5 program will create jobs, enhance the neighborhood and help many deserving family’s make their American dream come true.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2013. It will be the first full-service hotel built downtown in more than 20 years. The project will be located in the heart of the downtown central business district of Milwaukee, WI, USA on the southwest corner of East Wisconsin Avenue and North Milwaukee Street, surrounding the Johnson Bank building.

The iconic $54 Million dollar, 10-story, 197,000 square foot hotel will feature a luxurious high-end restaurant, lobby bar, Starbucks, a jeweler, 15,000 square feet of meeting/banquet space, and 60 underground parking stalls.  Hotel amenities will include a fully equipped fitness center, a swimming pool, business center, concierge service, and gift shop.

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This week the international table tennis world shifted its attention to Milwaukee as the Frontier Airlines Convention Center hosted The USA Table Tennis Federation’s US Open tournament featuring 700 elite table tennis athletes from 15 countries. The Open is part of Milwaukee’s 2011 ‘Summer of China’ designated by Mayor Tom Barrett.

The 2011 Open was politically significant in that it marked the 40th anniversary of “ping pong diplomacy,” a 1971 Beijing table tennis exhibition which helped open trade and diplomacy between the US and China. A Chinese delegation including several original “ping pong diplomacy” competitors and Chinese dignitaries attended the Open.

The “Summer of China” continues with The Milwaukee Art Museum’s summer series, The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City, contents of the Qianlong Emperor’s private retreat, on view now through Sunday, September 11. Milwaukee is honored to be one of few cities selected to host this never before seen exhibition and historic tournament.

Wednesday, May 4 – Bob Kraft, Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners/Co-chair of the MMAC China Council joined Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett in welcoming representatives of the US Olympic Committee and USA Table Tennis Federation during a recent site visit.

Milwaukee is honored to hosts The USA Table Tennis Federation’s US Open tournament featuring 700 elite table tennis athletes from 15 countries. The open takes place at the Frontier Airlines Convention Center, June 30 through July 4 during Milwaukee’s “Summer of China.”

The Open is politically significant in that it marks the 40th anniversary of “ping pong diplomacy,” a 1971 Beijing table tennis exhibition which helped open trade and diplomacy between the US and China. A Chinese delegation which includes several original “ping pong diplomacy” competitors is scheduled to appear.

Milwaukee’s “Summer of China,” also includes The Milwaukee Art Museum’s summer series, The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City, contents of the Qianlong Emperor’s private retreat. Milwaukee is honored to be one of few cities selected to host this never before seen exhibition and historic tournament.

Starting June 10th Milwaukee’s gift will be on display for residents before being shipped to its permanent home in Ningbo, China. In 2011 Milwaukee will present its sister city Ningbo with the 6 ft golden eagle. This gift is in response to the 2008 presentation of Ningbo’s two stone lions to the city of Milwaukee. The lions can be seen at the entrance of the Zeidler Municipal Building on Broadway St. in downtown Milwaukee.

The eagle, created by created by artist Mike Capser, is currently on display at the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) lobby on the first floor. Viewers are welcome.

Wednesday June 9, 2010- This week the Milwaukee delegation visited Ningbo, China to participate in an international trade exhibition and meet with local officials. Ningbo and Milwaukee have been unofficial sister cities since 2006.

During their visit the delegation meet with Deputy Party Secretary Yijun Tang, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Ningbo Sub-Council (CCPIT) /China Chamber of Commerce Ningbo Chamber (CCOIC) Chairman Mr. Zheng Wei Gu and officers of the Ningbo Municipal Government and Foreign Affairs Office.

Throughout meetings Yijun Tang focused on the rapid growth of cooperative initiatives between Ningbo and Milwaukee since becoming sister cities in 2006.

The Milwaukee delegation, led by Martha Brown, Deputy Commissioner of City Development and Bob Kraft, MMAC China Council Co-Chair and Chairman/CEO of FirstPathway Partners would like to thank all of their friends in Ningbo for their gracious hospitality.

Click here to read the Ningbo Daily article

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FirstPathway Partners was honored to host Kevin Yuan of Nanjing, China this week.  During his visit Mr. Yuan met with high level MMAC officials to discuss EB5. Yuan also toured projects and areas of development throughout the region including The Pabst City Development, The Menomonee Valley and others. FirstPathway Partners looks forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Yuan and Qiaoye Investment Consulting Co.,Ltd.

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FirstPathway Partners (FPP) was proud to assist Bangjie He, Ambassador of Ningbo to the US, in hosting China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Ningbo Sub-Council (CCPIT) /China Chamber of Commerce Ningbo Chamber (CCOIC) Chairman, Mr. Zheng Wei Gu and Chief of the Ningbo Dept of International Exhibition, Mr. Wei FU.

During their visit to Milwaukee guest’s toured FPP headquarters, the Harley Davidson Museum, and other points of interest around Milwaukee. FPP was honored to host such esteemed guests.

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Milwaukee- On Tuesday March 16, 2010 the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Ningbo Sub-Council (CCPIT) in joint with the China Chamber of Commerce Ningbo Chamber (CCOIC) finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce ( MMAC ).

In a closed meeting, CCPIT/CCOIC Chairman Zhengwei Gu and MMAC President Tim Sheehy signed an MOU which aims to bridge cultural, trade and economic exchange between Ningbo, China and Milwaukee, USA. Ningbo is Milwaukee’s informal sister city.

Other attendees were the Chief of the Ningbo Department of International Exhibition Mr. Wei FU, Milwaukee Deputy Commissioner Martha Brown, MMAC Vice President Peter Beitzel, Ningbo Ambassador to the United States Bangjie He, FPP Chairman and CEO Bob Kraft, FPP Partner Dick Zagorski, and attorneys Julie Lee and Tom Gehl.

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Last week  FirstPathway Partners was honored to host the president of Coryo, one of the largest and most respected Korean immigration firms. Her associates included Mr. Kim and Ms. Oh.

During their trip our guests were able to tour the Aloft Hotel, the Pabst Redevelopment, Miller Park, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) and City Hall. While visiting City Hall, our guests had the pleasure of meeting with Head of City Development, Patrick G. Walsh and City Commissioner, Rocky Marcoux to discuss Milwaukee’s vibrant investment environment. City representatives also voiced their willingness to help facilitate Korean and other foreign investment throughout the area.

We were honored to have such agreeable and accomplished guests. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Mrs. Kim and Coryo.

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