2015 California EB-5 Conference

Thank you to the attendees who participated in the 4^th Annual California EB-5 Conference in Los Angeles, hosted by EB5 Investors Magazine on August 2-3, 2015. The conference welcomed nearly 500 of the most successful regional centers, attorneys and EB-5 program stakeholders, who joined keynote speaker House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA-6) and special guest speaker Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell for this networking and educational opportunity. Among the information shared by speakers and panelists, conference attendees were encouraged to learn that members of the House continue to pursue a legislative solution to sustain the EB-5 regional center program, as well as implement reforms to maintain progress made by projects currently creating jobs under the EB-5 program.

An EB-5 basics attorney workshop on Sunday set the stage for the event as a venue for premium educational and networking opportunities. The sold-out CLE workshop provided an intimate setting for expert EB-5 attorneys to teach the intricacies of I-526 and I-829 petition filing. David Hirson from Hirson & Partners and Jinhee Wilde from Wilde & Associates led both panels, along with industry veterans Ali Jahangiri, John Pratt, Reid Thomas, Osvaldo Torres, and Kevin Wright.

Monday’s conference began with the breakfast keynote address from Congressman Goodlatte. The Hyatt’s vast Los Angeles room was packed by industry shareholders eager to hear from Goodlatte, who as the House Judiciary Chairman has legislative oversight on the EB-5 program. The Congressman emphasized his support for the program, and his desire to see the program reauthorized and reformed so that the American economy can continue to benefit from the program’s critical economic stimulus. He discussed the need for legislative reform to ensure that the efforts of EB-5 regional centers are sustained, and that job creation projects in both rural and urban areas are able to thrive under the EB-5 program.

After Congressman Goodlatte’s speech, the dual track panels began. The panels were split into beginner and advanced tracks to maximize the educational value for attendees of all levels of EB-5 knowledge.

The morning panels ranged from cornerstone topics like EB-5 financing basics to more nuanced analysis of topics like EB-5 program reauthorization, and potential changes to the Regional Center Program. The beginner track laid a strong foundation through panels on EB-5 deal structures and due diligence considerations. The advanced track looked at the intricacies of USCIS policies involving the use of loans as a source of investor capital, “Investing Cash from Loan Proceeds,” which was followed by an EB-5 Securities Roundtable discussion. The moderators and panelists represented a cross-section of the industry’s most respected and experienced voices from the many diverse perspectives and professions within the EB-5 industry. Each speaker offered their unique experience and seasoned wisdom to an equally diverse group of attendees. After each panel discussion, a Q&A session gave attendees the chance to interact directly with the speakers.

The Los Angeles room was once again filled to capacity at lunch, where former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell gave a special address voicing his support for the program. He detailed the many benefits the program has provided in terms of job and economic growth to his home state of Pennsylvania. He further echoed Chairman Goodlatte’s sentiments regarding the need for program reauthorization to further the program’s appeal and positive contributions to the American economy.

Panels throughout the afternoon addressed hot topics currently facing the industry. A highlight was a panel discussion between leading migration agents that was simultaneously translated from Mandarin into English. Panels also explored the impact of Chinese EB-5 visa retrogression, as well as “EB-5 Investment Capital Outside of China.” The beginner panels covered fundamental EB-5 fundraising topics such as “EB-5 Success in Public-Private Partnership Models,” and discussions on EB-5 financing in hotel projects and the economics of EB-5 Job Creation.

Breaks offered attendees, exhibitors and sponsors ample time to build valuable industry connections. The cocktail reception following the conference allowed attendees, speakers, and sponsors to continue to grow their professional network and develop relationships to strengthen the EB-5 industry.

The support of sponsors, attendees and panelists made the event a resounding success, and cemented the conference series as a “must” for anyone currently working in or considering working in the EB-5 program industry.

EB5Investors.com events and conferences are open to the general public and may include persons resident in the U.S. or foreign countries who may be interested in EB-5 investment opportunities. Attendees, exhibitors and speakers at our events and conferences should consult with their own legal counsel regarding compliance with securities laws for any ongoing or planned securities offerings. EB5investors.com provides no legal advice concerning compliance with securities laws by attendees, exhibitors and speakers at its conferences and events.

Is your business involved in the EB-5 program? Join the Community!

Join »

Disclaimer: EB5Investors.com events and conferences are open to the general public and may include persons resident in the U.S. or foreign countries who may be interested in EB-5 investment opportunities. Attendees, exhibitors and speakers at our events and conferences should consult with their own legal counsel regarding compliance with securities laws for any ongoing or planned securities offerings. EB5investors.com provides no legal advice concerning compliance with securities laws by attendees, exhibitors and speakers at its conferences and events.

Conference Itinerary

All events were hosted at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza unless otherwise noted.

Sunday, August 2, 2015

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – EARLY REGISTRATION (ALL ATTENDEES) – Location: S. Mezzanine Foyer

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – EB-5 ATTORNEY WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS: I-526 PETITION FILING (Attorneys with 2 day passes only) – Location: Park Room

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM – Break for Workshop Participants

2:15 PM – 4:15 PM – EB-5 ATTORNEY WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS: I-829 PETITION FILING (Attorneys with 2 day passes only)

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM – COCKTAIL RECEPTION FOR SPEAKERS AND SPONSORS

Sponsored by CMB Regional Centers (Invite-Only)

Monday, August 3, 2015

6:30 AM – 8:00 AM – Sponsor Set Up – Location: CA Lounge

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM – Attendee Registration – Location: CA Lounge

8:00 AM – 8:50 AM – BREAKFAST AND KEYNOTE ADDRESS (Breakfast Provided)

Location: Los Angeles Room

Welcome: Ali Jahangiri, EB5 Investors Magazine
Welcome: Zhongjun Ma, Shenzhen Immigration and Overseas Study Intermediary Association
Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s Keynote Address

8:50 AM – 9:10 AM – Break

9:10AM – 10:10AM – PANEL 1A & 1B

PANEL 1A – ADVANCED

Location: Santa Monica Room

EB-5 Program Reauthorization: Analysis of current legislation, Potential industry effects, and Program advocacy

Charles Foster, Foster LLP
Enrique Gonzalez, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
Jeffery DeBoer, The Real Estate Roundtable

Moderated By: Laura Reiff, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

PANEL 1B – BEGINNER

Location: Beverly Hills Room

EB-5 Financing Basics: EB-5 program outline, Underwriting criteria, Developing an EB-5 business plan, Working with senior/bridge lenders, Escrow and fund administration

Francisco Turner, Banc of California
Phil Cohen, Strategic Element Consulting
Reid Thomas, NES Financial

Moderated By: Ignacio Donoso, I.A. Donoso & Associates, LLC

10:10 AM – 10:20 AM – Break

10:20 AM – 11:20 AM – PANEL 2A & 2B

PANEL 2A – ADVANCED

Location: Santa Monica Room

Investing Cash from Loan Proceeds: Indebtedness, “Cash is Cash”, RFE’s and NOIDs

Ira Kurzban, Kurzban Kurzban Weinger Tetzeli & Pratt
Ron Klasko, Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Susan Pilcher, Stone Grzegorek & Gonzalez LLP

Moderated By: Kate Kalmykov, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

PANEL 2B – BEGINNER

Location: Beverly Hills Room

EB-5 Deal Structures: Forming a Regional Center, Regional center partnerships, and Direct EB-5; Impacts on projects and EB-5 investors

Aaron Goforth, Wright Johnson
Belma Chinchoy, EB5 Plus Immigration Law
Osvaldo Torres, Torres Law, P.A
William Martines, One Lily Pad

Moderated By: Nima Korpivaara, David Hirson & Partners, LLP

11:20 AM – 11:30 AM – Break

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – PANEL 3A & 3B

PANEL 3A – ADVANCED

Location: Santa Monica Room

EB-5 Securities Roundtable: Recent SEC investigations, Best practices for regional centers, and FINRA licenses

Clem Turner, Homeier & Law, P.C.
John Tishler, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Trevor Saliba, NMS Capital

Moderated By: Brandon Meyer, Meyer Law Group

PANEL 3B – BEGINNER

Location: Beverly Hills Room

Documents and Due Diligence Beyond the Regional Center Partnership: Regional center due diligence on the developer, Understanding operating agreements and inter-creditor agreements, and Immigration compliance considerations