FPP Senior Vice President, Jennifer Sherer, spoke at the annual celebration hosted by the Wisconsin Trade Association. She noted the popularity of the EB-5 program and how it has grown exponentially over the years. In fact, in FY2015, the 10,000 annual visa allocation was reached for the first time in program history. Currently, there are nearly 22,000 I-526 petitions pending with USCIS and nearly 18,000 approved applicants waiting for visas abroad. That equates to an increase of 175% over FY2014.
Other speakers at the event included Dan Joseph, national speaker, author, consultant, and president of The China Learning Curve. Winchell Chung of the Hong Kong Trade & Development Council spoke about their upcoming Bridge & Road Initiative as well as upcoming projects. Julie Lee of Foley & Lardner hosted the event and Ulice Payne of the WTA China Council emceed the evening.
WTA's Chinese New Year celebration focused on the year of the monkey. The monkey is the ninth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac. Individuals possessing this zodiac are generally thought to be very clever and intelligent, particularly in the areas of career and wealth. Other traits of the monkey include being quick-witted, versatile, gentle, and honest.
Entertainment at the event was provided by members of the Milwaukee Chinese Community Center. Attendees were treated to traditional Chinese music played on a guzheng, or Chinese plucked zither. This instrument, which originated during the Qin Dynasty (897-221 BC), has 21 strings with movable bridges and harmonics are achieved by plucking strings with both hands. Click here to hear a sample.
FirstPathway Partners was proud to sponsor this year's event. To view photos from this event, click here.