2015 Las Vegas EB-5 Conference

More than 400 attendees crowded into the Encore Resort’s ballrooms for the 2^nd Annual Las Vegas EB-5 Conference, hosted by EB5investors.com and EB5 Investors Magazine on January 17, 2015. The conference welcomed Keynote Speakers Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO 2^nd District), in addition to many speakers and sponsors. The sequel to last year’s impressive event, the 2015 conference produced another sold-out crowd for the one-day gathering of regional center representatives, attorneys, and developers.

The conference kicked off with a breakfast keynote address by Senator Rand Paul. The senator discussed his enthusiasm and support for the EB-5 program, as well as his commitment to improving it through legislation. He also emphasized the increasing need for programs like EB-5 to inject much-needed money into the American economy.

After Senator Paul’s speech and breakfast concluded, the dual track panels began. The panels were split into beginner and advanced tracks, offering those with all levels of EB-5 knowledge an opportunity to learn something new. Some of the moderators for the first round of panels included Mona Shah from Mona Shah & Associates, Kate Kalmykov from Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and Jim Butler from Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP. These first panels touched on topics ranging from the basic, like “Introduction to Raising EB-5 Capital,” to the more advanced, like “Heightening Due Diligence in the EB-5 Program.” The moderators and panelists offered their keen insight and unique perspectives to a wide variety of attendees. They also offered Q&A sessions at the end of their discussions.

As lunchtime rolled around, the main ballroom was once again packed full for Congressman Jared Polis’ keynote address. Congressman Polis emphasized the need for the program to be made permanent through legislation. He argued that EB-5-related legislation should expand the program rather than hinder it. The congressman also spoke about minimizing potential fraud through increased funding and transparency.

After lunch, there were still 6 panels left. Moderators for these panels included among others, David Hirson from David Hirson & Partners, LLP, Jeff Campion from Pathways, and Bernard Wolfsdorf from Wolfsdorf Rosenthal LLP. While the beginner panels touched on topics like “Structuring EB-5 Projects for Immigration, Financial, and Market Success,” and “Traditional Financing vs. EB-5,” the advanced panels discussed more prominent EB-5 issues like, “Assessing the Impact of an EB-5 Backlog on the Chinese Market and Project Funding,” and “Analyzing Possible 2015 Legislative Changes Impacting the EB-5 Program,” with Congressman Polis and EB5 Investor’s Ali Jahangiri. The latter panel allowed Congressman Polis to interact directly with attendees and address their individual concern and questions.

Breaks between panels allowed ample time for attendees to network, display their promotional materials, and build valuable industry connections. However, the cocktail reception after the conclusion of the panels was where the real networking began. The reception brought the entire attendance together for an unparalleled networking opportunity. Attendees had the opportunity to meet panelists and sponsors, building relationships that will only strengthen the EB-5 industry.

Attendees remarked that the conference was an even greater success than last year’s Las Vegas conference, but it was really because of their support for the program that the conference was possible. If you didn’t get a chance to attend this year’s Las Vegas Conference, don’t worry; there will be another Las Vegas EB-5 Conference next year in addition to the 2015 Los Angeles Conference coming this July!

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