Thank you to the attendees who participated in the 4th 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.
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
- Michael Gibson, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
- Pat Hogan, CMB Regional Centers
- Robert Kraft, FirstPathway Partners, LLC
- Moderated By: Robert Divine, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – LUNCH (Lunch Provided)
Location: Los Angeles Room
- Immigration & EB-5 Reform Address: Austin Fragomen, Jr.
- Introduction: Tom Rosenfeld, CanAm Enterprises, LLC
- Governor Edward Rendell’s Address
1:40 PM – 2:40 PM – PANEL 4A & 4B
PANEL 4A – ADVANCED
Location: Santa Monica Room
EB-5 Investment Capital Outside of China: Country specific issues, Source of funds disparities, and Consular processing
- Jinhee Wilde, Wilde & Associates LLC
- Parisa Karaahmet, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
- Wilka Toppins, Toppins Law Firm
- Moderated By: Edward Beshara, Beshara Professional Association
PANEL 4B – BEGINNER
Location: Beverly Hills Room
EB-5 Success in Public Private Partnership Models
- Dan Healy, Civitas Capital Group
- John Grady, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC)
- Tom Rosenfeld, CanAm Enterprises, LLC
- Moderated By: David Hirson, David Hirson & Partners, LLP
2:40 PM – 2:50 PM – Break
2:50 PM – 3:50 PM – PANEL 5A & 5B
PANEL 5A – ADVANCED
Location: Santa Monica Room
EB-5 Trends in China: Retrogression, Restrictions on source of funds, and Consular processing issues
- David Morris, Visa Law Group
- Echo King, King Law Center
- George Ekins, American Dream Fund, Inc.
- Joanna Lin Cui, Shanghai Eternal Investment Consulting Co., Ltd
- Moderated By: Bernard Wolfsdorf, Wolfsdorf Rosenthal LLP
PANEL 5B – BEGINNER
Location: Beverly Hills Room
Welcome to the Hotel California: EB-5 financing in hotel projects, and Specific challenges to the hotel industry
- Jeffrey Deitrich, Silverstein Properties
- Kevin Daniels, Daniels Real Estate, LLC
- Mona Shah, Mona Shah & Associates
- Rohit Kapuria, Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
- Moderated By: Jim Butler, Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP
3:50 PM – 4:00 PM – Break
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – PANEL 6A & 6B
PANEL 6A – ADVANCED
Location: Santa Monica Room (Live translation provided)
Migration Agent Roundtable: Discussion of current market trends in China, Project due diligence, and Successful agent-project partnerships
- David Chaohui Chen, Visas Consulting Group
- Edwin Yanwu Shieh, Shenzhen ADH Migration and Education Services Co., Ltd
- Kent Shaohuai Qiu, Guangzhou M.C.D. Consultants Co., Ltd
- Larry Limin Wang, Well Trend United Inc.
- Peter Shoulong Zeng, Wuhan Personal Exit & Entry Intermediary Association
- Moderated By: Winnie Ng, David Hirson & Partners, LLP
PANEL 6B – BEGINNER
Location: Beverly Hills Room
The Economics of EB-5 Job Creation: Job models, TEA formation, and creating jobs for America
- Kevin Wright, Wright Johnson
- Michael Kester, Impact DataSource
- Elliot Winer, Northeast Economic Analysis Group
- Moderated By: Tammy Fox-Isicoff, Rifkin & Fox-Isicoff P. A.
5:00 – 6:00 PM – POST-CONFERENCE COCKTAIL RECEPTION – Location: Circle Lawn
- Sponsored by David Hirson & Partners, LLP
7:00 PM – EB-5 GALA & INVESTOR REPAYMENT CELEBRATION
- Hosted by CanAm Enterprises, LLC (Invite-Only)
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