The annual celebration, presented by the MMAC, was sponsored by FirstPathway Partners and held on Thursday, February 16th, 2017 at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, a FirstPathway Partners project, which opened in July 2016. Kraft was the emcee for the evening and spoke on China-Wisconsin relations as well as the Kimpton hotel.
The honorable Hong Lei, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago, discussed China’s ever-growing economy and the role Chinese investment and trade plays into Milwaukee’s economic growth. Hong also met with Kraft in a private meeting prior to the celebration.
Ulice Payne, Jr., president and managing member of Addison-Clifton; Khay Khong, market director of Asia at Wisconsin Economic Development Council; and Michael Cook, business development at Rockwell Automation, all spoke at the event regarding topics like investment between China and Milwaukee, educational efforts and partnerships, EB-5, and the upcoming WEDC China Trade Venture.
Entertainment for the night consisted of traditional Chinese song and dance and a beautiful melody performed on the Guzheng, or the Chinese zither, a Chinese plucked string instrument.
To view photos of the event, click here.