EB-5 Regional Center Conference in Las Vegas Announced

After three successful EB-5 seminars in Chicago and New York City, Artisan Business Group is planning and hosting a one day "EB-5 Regional Centers Promotion and Investors Procurement - Meeting Migration Brokers and VIP Speakers from China, Taiwan, Korea and the US" Conference at Stratosphere Hotel on Feb 20, 2011. For the first time, top executives with licensed Chinese migration companies will join us in Las Vegas. Come to meet with the major brokers that have served over 50% Chinese market capacity.The event will be one of the best EB-5 conferences this year; it is sponsored by Wailian Overseas Consulting Group and NES Financial.

VIP Speakers and Guests (tentative):

Mr. John Jiang, Managing Director of Henry Global (China)
Ms. Hong Yu, US Project Manager, Wailian Overseas Consulting Group (China)
Dr. Winner Xing, CEO, Worldway Investment and Immigration (China)
Ms. Ling Zhang, General Manager, Worldway Investment (Macau)
Ms. Lucy Shi, CEO, Haiyi Immigration (China)
Mr. Lu Sun, VP, MasLink Group (China)
Mr. David Enterline, Immigration Attorney, WTW Taipei (Taiwan)
Mr. Yongjin Lee, Immigration Attorney, Jin Lee Law Group (Korea)
Ms. Melody Chen, China Managing Director, Artisan Business Group, Inc. (Hong Kong)

Mr. John Li, Managing Director, EB5Supermarket.com
Mr. George Ekins, CEO, Los Angeles Regional Center & Las Vegas Regional Center
Mr. Brian Dickens, Administrator, Idaho Department of Commerce

Mr. Michael Gibson, Managing Principal, USAdvisors
Mr. Brian Terwilliger, Vice President, NES Financial

More details are coming soon, Space is very limited, please register today at http://eb5.eventbrite.com

Utah Governor Leads Trade Mission to China

Governor Herbert’s is leading a trade mission to the People’s Republic of China from April 11-15, 2011.  This trade mission will help Utah businesses increase their competitiveness and grow their exports in China’s dynamic and growing market.  The trade mission will focus on matching Utah businesses with businesses in China, promoting Utah’s tourism offerings, and showcasing our state’s business friendly environment.

“Finding new markets for Utah’s goods and services means more high-paying jobs for Utah.  China is a key trading partner for Utah businesses and represents one of the fastest growing destinations for Utah exports,” said Brett Heimburger, Regional Director for Asia at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.  “In 2009, Utah exported over $10.3 billion of goods supporting over 50,000 export-related jobs here at home.  We expect those numbers to increase dramatically for 2010.”

The trade mission will visit China’s capital city of Beijing as well as Shanghai, China’s largest city.  Participating businesses will benefit by making connections with individual businesses, trade and industry groups, and by meeting with key Chinese government officials and agencies.

Greater China is currently Utah’s second largest trading partner with exports increasing over 2009-2010, reaching a total of over $1.8 million in exported goods.

China is the world’s second largest economy and the United States’ third largest trading partner.

Businesses interested in joining the trade mission should contact Kit Burton at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (KitBurton@utah.gov or 801-538-8737) for details and an application.

RVIA Applauds Deal to Export Motorhomes to China

Under the agreement, Winston Global Energy will provide $310 million in capital to MVP RV to promote motorhome exports to China.  Additional capital will also be provided for development of all-electric RVs and fast-charging electrical systems. The companies expect to export more than 10,000 type A motorhomesand 20,000 type C motorhomes, valued at approximately $5 billion, to China over the next three to four years.  The joint venture will also push the number of jobs at MVP RV, based in Riverside, Calif., from 130 jobs to over 1,400 jobs.
“This is an exciting development for our company and the RV industry,” said Brad Williams, MVP RV president and CEO. “The work being done by RVIA to help promote American involvement in the Chinese RV industry helped set the stage for this to happen.”
“This agreement illustrates the potential of the Chinese RV market for U.S. manufacturers and suppliers,” said RVIA President Richard Coon. “It creates jobs here in America to build state-of-the-art RVs that will be exported to China to meet the growing demand for U.S.-manufactured RV products.”
There is strong support for a more focused development of the fledgling RV industry within China as China-based companies are seeking partnerships with American RV companies to build products for Chinese consumers who have more disposable income, more leisure time and a growing interest in RV travel and camping.
With the tremendous potential represented by this new market, RVIA has been working for several years to help association members gain a foothold.  The association has organized a trade mission to China; hosted Chinese trade groups at the National RV Trade Show; and worked with business leaders, organizations and government contacts in China to discuss industry standards and other regulatory issues.
The agreement between MVP RV and Winston Global Energy Limited was announced in a press release from the White House detailing business deals unveiled in connection with the official state visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to the United States.
An official signing ceremony for the MVP RV and Winston Global Energy agreement and for several other U.S./China commercial partnerships will take place in Chicago on Friday, January 21, at a trade event hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.  The event will be attended by Winston Chung, founder of Winston Global Energy Limited; MVP RV President and CEO Brad Williams; and RVIA President Richard Coon.
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association is the national association representing approximately 400 manufacturers and component suppliers producing 98 percent of all RVs made in the United States.
Visit GoRVing.comfor more information about RVing and to watch a video on how to get started RVing.
Contact: Kevin Broom, Director of Media Relations, 703-620-6003, ext. 304, kbroom@rvia.org

Governor Quinn Welcomes Chinese Delegation, Announces Global Business Agreements Chinese Businesses Sign Agreements to Purchase Illinois Soy Products

CHICAGO – January 20, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today welcomed a delegation of Chinese government and business leaders to Illinois and announced that more than a dozen Illinois providers of soy products have entered into sales agreements with buyers from 24 Chinese companies. “We are doing everything we can to ensure that Illinois remains a leader in the global marketplace. We are the transportation hub of the Midwest; we have the best farmland in the world; and we are committed to growing green technologies,” said Governor Quinn. “These important agreements with China will further grow our economy, and we will continue to show the world why Illinois is a premier place to do business.” China is Illinois' third-largest export destination, and Illinois is among the top five states for agricultural export to China. Farmers and companies with operations in Illinois, including ADM, Bunge, Cargill, CHS, Columbia Grain Trading and Louis Drefyus, participated in the agreements with Chinese firms. Governor Quinn was joined at today’s event by China's Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Chao, Danny Murphy, Chairman of American Soybean Association Trade Policy and International Affairs Committee and Treasurer of U.S. Soybean Export Council, entrepreneurs from China and the representatives of the Illinois Soybean Association. “The Chinese government highly values and supports the Sino-U.S. business cooperation that aims at a win-win result, and it is the mission of the Chinese delegation to encourage more Chinese purchase from and Chinese investment in the United States,” said Vice Minister Wang. Agriculture export to China from Illinois has increased each year since 2007, from $149 million to $552 million in 2009. Illinois' overall export to China in 2009 reached $2.47 billion. More than 30 Chinese companies have invested in Illinois, employing thousands of Illinois citizens. “The Illinois Soybean Association is very pleased to have Governor Quinn be part of this signing ceremony with China, our number one customer of Illinois soybeans,” said Ron Moore, Illinois Soybean Association chairman. This is a testament to how the Governor recognizes the value and importance of Illinois soybean production, which ranks second in the U.S. with 466 million bushels harvested in 2010.”

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Mr. Jason Lee, Mr. Lu Sun, Mr. Walter Huang, Ms. Gillian Shuang, Mr. Brian Su Discuss Chinese High Court Interpretation's Impacts on EB-5 Regional Center Program

Warning to EB-5 Marketers: China's Supreme People’s Court issued the “Supreme People’s Court on the Trial of Criminal Cases of illegal Fund-Raising Number of Issues Specific Interpretation of Application of the Law”

EB-5 Regional Centers, consultants, attorneys need to be updated on this latest legal developments in China, Mr. Jason Lee, member of the Board of Directors of Beijing Exit-Entry Service Association and policy adviser to Beijing exit-entry authority, Mr. Walter Huang, a Chinese securities and PE expert, Ms. Gillian Shuang, principal of PKF China, and Mr. Lu Sun, VP of MasLink Group, will analyze the new legal interpretations by the Chinese high court at our New York City EB-5 Seminar on January 25, 2011, click to register today.  This is a rare opportunity to exchange ideas with experts from China.

The detailed legal interpretation specifically target various illegal fundraising and PE activities conducted by various unlicensed and unregistered agents without proper licence, including brokers and entities from foreign countries. It also addresses the issues of misinformation, mis-representation, and misuse of public media to illegally attract investors in China. The interpretation will have great implications and impacts on EB-5 regional center that are seeking Chinese investments through marketing activities in China.

(Source: China Daily Jan 5, 2011)

To further curb illegal fund-raising and crack down on criminals, the Supreme People's Court and the China Banking Regulatory Commission implemented a new judicial interpretation for trials of such cases.  On January 4, 2011, China's Supreme People’s Court issued the “Supreme People’s Court on the trial of criminal cases of illegal fund-raising number of issues specific interpretation of application of the law.” 

The number of illegal fund-raising cases in China has been rising since 2008, with about 5,400 suspects arrested in 5,000 cases, a senior police officer warned on January 11, 2011. Liu Dong, deputy director of the economic crime investigation department under the Ministry of Public Security, said police across the country had recovered losses of more than 12 billion yuan ($1.8 billion) from these cases. From 2005 to June 2010, police investigated 10,000 illegal fund-raising cases involving about 100 billion yuan., he said. "Due to the current domestic and international economic environment, the number of cases is still increasing, with an annual rise of 2000 cases and 20 billion yuan of illegally raised funds," Liu told a press conference. "We expect the growth rate of such illegal fund-raising cases and the risks caused by these crimes to remain high in the next few years." The standards will be considered in deciding punishments. Officials also said fund-raising crimes usually involve many victims and tend to result in mass incidents and petitions by the victims. According to the top court, many major illegal fund-raising operations were carried out under the guise of legal companies and projects to entice people to invest.

For more information about this new legal development, please contact us today. 

Groen Brothers Aviation Enters Cooperative Joint Venture Agreement for Production in China of Light Gyroplanes

SALT LAKE CITY, UT--(Marketwire - January 15, 2011) - Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. ("GBA") (PINKSHEETS: GNBA), announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Groen Brothers Aviation International, LLC ("Groen LLC"), formed to participate in the joint venture, has entered into an agreement with Guangzhou Suntrans Aviation Science and Technology Co., Ltd. ("Suntrans") to form a Cooperative Joint Venture ("CJV"). The CJV will be named Foshan Suntrans-Groen Aviation Co., Ltd. ("FSG Aviation").
The CJV will be a limited liability company formed under the laws of the People's Republic of China whose purpose is to produce in China for sales worldwide, light gyroplanes based upon GBA's SparrowHawk design. The agreement generally provides for FSGA to assemble, manufacture, sell, and provide related services for GBA's SparrowHawk Gyroplane Program, including the most advanced version of the SparrowHawk aircraft developed to date, the SparrowHawk III. It is expected that FSG Aviation will reintroduce the SparrowHawk III Kit into the US and world markets, followed over the next few years by a fully assembled light gyroplane using technology transferred by GBA to the CJV.
The agreement for the CJV will come into force upon the approval of the appropriate Chinese regulatory authorities for which the parties are in the process of preparing the necessary papers.
The total amount of registered capital of the Joint Venture will be Chinese Renminbi ("RMB") 100 Million (approximately US$14.7 million). Under the terms of the agreement, Suntrans will contribute RMB 75 million (approximately US$11 million) to the Joint Venture in cash and hold 75% of the shares in FSG Aviation; in return for its contribution of the SparrowHawk Program and transfer of certain advanced gyroplane technology, Groen LLC will hold 25% of the shares valued at RMB 25 million (approximately US$3.67 million).
GBA considers the formation of this Joint Venture particularly of value because the Chinese government has announced that it has begun a program to open to the public, Chinese airspace below 3,000 meters. "An aircraft that's easy and safe to fly, highly maneuverable and needing only a very short runway, which is essentially what the SparrowHawk Gyroplane is, ought to be very popular in China, as the country opens up to a new generation of private pilots," said GBA's Vice President of Business Development, Al Waddill, "especially since demand for personal aircraft should be far beyond the capability of China's current general aviation infrastructure."
About Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc.
Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. has been developing gyroplane technology since 1986 and is recognized as the world's leading authority on sustained autorotative flight. Powered by a Rolls-Royce gas turbine engine, GBA developed the world's first commercially viable modern gyroplane - the first "autogiro" to utilize a jet engine - the Hawk 4 Gyroplane. The Hawk 4 was used extensively for security aerial patrol missions during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
GBA announced in October 2005 that DARPA, an arm of the United States Department of Defense, awarded a contract to GBA to form and lead a team to design a proof of concept high speed, long range, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft designed for use in Combat Search and Rescue roles. This modern rotorcraft, named by DARPA as the "Heliplane," is designed to exploit GBA's gyrodyne technology; offering the VTOL capability of a helicopter, the fast forward flight of an airplane, and the safety, simplicity and reliability of a GBA gyroplane. GBA completed Phase I of the Heliplane contract and also participated as a subcontractor to Georgia Institute of Technology for tip-jet noise reduction work for Phase IB, which was also successful. To date DARPA has not announced funding for Phase II and the future involvement of the Company in the DARPA contract is unknown. The Heliplane could be the next generation rotor wing aircraft, meeting economy and performance goals not considered achievable by any other type of VTOL aircraft.
Further information about the Company, its products, and individual members of the GBA Team is available on the Company's web site at: www.groenbros.com.

Chinese President Hu will Visit Chicago Next Week

More than 40 Sino-US business deals are expected to be signed next week during the visit of China’s president, Hu Jintao, to Chicago. About 300 to 500 business executives from China will accompany their nation's top leader to Chicago, turning a state visit to Washington, D.C., into a large trade mission here as well. Mr. Hu will be in Chicago on Thursday and Friday after meetings with President Barack Obama and a White House state dinner on Wednesday.  Over 500 midwest executives will be attending the gathering in Chicago. Artisan Business Group CEO Brian Su has been invited to attend the Chicago function.

EB-5 Program Conference Comes to New York City January 25, 2011

The federal EB-5 Regional Center Immigrant Investors Program has been becoming very popular in past five years amongst commercial real estate, manufacturing, and financial industries due to the economic downtown.  Currently there are over 130 approved EB-5 regional centers nationwide, there are nearly 200 more applications pending.  The program has provided alternative funding sources for many large investment projects that lack of sufficient capital.  China and other Asian nations have been leading markets for EB-5 program.  Almost 2000 EB-5 visas were issued to Chinese investors last FFY 2009.  As a professional involved in financial business, real estate or any other investment fields, you should learn first hand about the investor trends and find out everything you must know in the ever-changing and challenging marketplace.  You will have a rare opportunity to hear about every aspect of China migration trade and business; and find out why Chinese investors are demanding EB-5 investor visas.  Mr. Su will share his insights and knowledge about the EB-5 program with you at the seminar. You will also have a great opportunity to meet and interact with our VIP speakers and audiences from all over the country!  Agenda is available upon request.

Online Registration: http://eb5fund.eventbrite.com

Workshop Host and Speaker:

Brian Su, CEO & President
Artisan Business Group, Inc.
Mr. Su is a leading expert and advisor on EB-5 marketing in Asia and China.  He operates the EB-5 China Marketing and Field Support Center, he is also the president of EB-5 China Market Council.  Mr. Su has successfully introduced over a dozen of EB-5 regional center investment projects to China this year, and nearly 5000 job creations commitment has been resulted due to his efforts. Mr. Su has been interviewed by China Daily, Financial Times, South Morning China Post, Reuters News, News Week and other major media. He runs a popular EB-5 blog at http://eb5newsblog.org.  Come, mingle and talk with Mr. Su to find out how you can better position your investment projects in the marketplace and effectively secure international finance and funding from foreign investors; share your thoughts and discuss your issues with Mr. Su one-on-one in New York City.  Mr. Su is a member of the Association to Invest in the USA (IIUSA).  He received his MPA degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield in 1996.  Topics: EB-5 Project Promotion in China/Asia, Investors Procurement.

Featured Guest Speakers:

Mr. Kevin Wright, President
Wright Johnson LLCMr. Wright is considered one of the foremost experts on the EB-5 Immigration Visa program. As an accomplished researcher, analyst and professional author, Kevin has assisted many entrepreneurs in receiving Regional Center designation and subsequent approval of the specific projects that are developed and put into operation through the Regional Center mechanism.  As an IMPLAN software specialist, Kevin has authored numerous econometric analysis, in many divergent industries, that demonstrate the employment and economic impacts of these various projects to the USCIS. The Regional Center application process requires Kevin to have an expertise in business plan writing, private placement composition, econometric analysis, complexities of government reporting requirements all coupled with the “hands on” experience necessary to successfully work within this highly specialized industry. Wright Johnson LLC has filed over 20 regional center applications with USCIS with a 100% success rate in the client receiving Regional Center designation. Topics: EB-5 Regional Center Planning, Formation, Project Development & Job Creation Requirements

Mr. Lu Sun, Vice President
MasLink Group, China
Mr. Sun is a former financial advisor with Citi Smith Barney and Edward Jones; he is highly experienced and knowledgeable in EB-5 project selection and marketing.  He offers frequent workshops to Chinese high net worth individuals on asset management and investment. Mr. Sun is a Beijing native and graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is responsbile for the company's US business division.  Mr. Lu spent average eight months a year in China promoting EB-5 regional center projects to Chinese investors. MasLink Group is a licensed and bonded migration consulting firm headquartered in Beijing, with offices in major Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chongqing.  The firm organized the US Immigration and Investment (Beijing) Forum 2009 where over 30 US investment projects were showcased for the first time Chinese investors. Topics: Understanding Investors Characteristics and EB-5 Project Structure 

Ms. Gillian Shuang, Managing Director
PKF International China Beijing OfficeMs. Shuang is managing director of PKF China Beijing Office. PKF China is a major accounting and counsulting firm that verifies investors source of funding. PKF China Beijing Office has processed hundreds of verification cases for EB-5 investors. She will explain the importance of verifying EB-5 investors funds and key procedures and requirements. Topics: Verification of Investors Source of Funding and Documentation Requirements

Mr. Walter Huang, Managing Director
Heracles Investment Corp.Mr. Huang has a number of years private equity investment and investment banking experience, especially has strong expertise in investing in Chinese companies and taking Chinese companies public in North American stock markets. He led the whole process of the public listing of  China Wind Power International Corp. Prior to founding Heracles, Walter Huang was the co-founder and Executive Vice President of a private equity investment firm based in Newport Beach, California.  Mr. Huang has years experience in investing in such industries as Internet, telecommunication, media, high-tech, consumer products, renewable energy and clean tech. He also involved in the investment in entertainment (movie and TV) and sports industries. He led the effort of a consortium consisting of five US and Chinese companies to build the largest theme park in Beijing with an investment of over a billion dollar.  Prior to being a private equity investor and merchant banker, Mr. Huang worked in several U.S. and Chinese companies including State Farm Insurance Companies and Morningstar Inc.  He is a recipient of the 2010 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award in acknowledgment of his accomplishments and extraordinary contributions to economic development and exceptional leadership and commitment to making a difference in their communities and the society at large.  Topics:  Utilzing Foreign Immigrant Investment to Fund US Projects

Ms. Julia Park, Immigration Attorney
Law Offices of Julia Park, LLC
Ms. Park is the Principal Attorney of Law Offices of Julia Park, LLC, with offices in New York City and Englewood, New Jersey. She is also Of Counsel to Levitt & Needleman, PC, a 30-year immigration law firm located in New York City.  Ms. Park provides immigration legal services to businesses and individuals in the Greater New York area.  Ms. Park’s immigration practice has a strong EB-5 focus and she is a frequent speaker on the topic.  Most recently she spoke at the AREAA (Asian Real Estate Association of America) New York Chapter meeting on the Nuts & Bolts of the EB-5 Investment Visa (September 2010) and the HSBC EB-5 International Business Opportunities Seminar (November 2010).  Ms. Park has been invited by a major international bank to serve as its outside immigration advisor to its new EB-5 Service Team which will be announced in the first quarter of 2011. The new team will be servicing the bank’s select group of private banking clients in Asia who are interested in the EB-5 program.  Before founding her own firm, Ms. Park was a corporate attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, LLP in New York City where she represented JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs in registered and 144A securities offerings, including convertible and investment grade debt offerings. Ms. Park also advised foreign clients on US registration issues and interacted with regulatory agencies including FINRA and NYSE on behalf of clients. Ms. Park received her JD from Boston College Law School, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif; her MA from the Graduate School of Interpretation & Translation, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, Korea; and her BA from Sogang University, cum laude, also in Seoul, Korea. Topics: USCIS Immigration Law, EB-5 Legal Issues and Korean Market Update

Mr. Brian Terwilliger, Vice President
NES FinancialMr. Terwilliger specializes in complex multiparty escrows, including working with many Regional Centers to streamline their EB-5 escrow administration process.   He will address the importance of escrow process for foreign investors.  Mr. Terwilliger has been in the escrow and 1031 exchange business for twenty four years.  His experience includes business development, administration, and managing groups specializing in complex corporate escrow transactions, 1031 exchanges, tax-exempt debt financing, institutional custody, and mortgage custody.  Prior to joining NES Financial, Mr. Terwilliger was with JPMorgan Chase and its predecessor banks. Brian has a finance degree from Illinois State University, and a MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.  Topics: Importance of Escrow Administration and Investment Funds Management

Mr. John Li, Managing Director
Yiminchaoshi.com (EB5Supermarket.com)

Mr. John Li, the President/CEO of  Systemtek Technologies, a top Chicago base internet marketing and and Chinese localization firm with offices in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Changsha, China. The firm is one of the preferred and approved service providers in China selected by the US Department of Commerce.  Mr. John Li operates one of the largest China based EB-5 Chinese language information websites YIMINCHAOSHI.COM (or EB5Supermarket.com). The website is a direct connection and gateway between the U.S. EB-5 project principals, investment opportunities, real estate developers, immigration attorneys, professional services and the Chinese investors around the world.  Mr. Li received his MS degree of Computer Science from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He is fluent speaking both Mandarin and English. Mr. Li will share his insights on utilizing online platform and social media to promote EB-5 projects directly to overseas investors. Topics: Utilizing Social Media and Online Tools to Attract Investors

VIP Guest from China

Mr. Jason Lee, CEO & President
MasLink Group is a licensed and bonded EB-5 migration broker headquartered in Beijing, with office around China. Mr. Lee is the member of board directors of Beijing Exit-Entry Service Association - a trade group for migration brokers in Beijing.

Audiences: Welcome all professionals in financial, banking and capital industries; commercial real estate developers, immigration attorneys, economic development officials, and business consultants.

Workshop Venue: NYC Seminar and Conference Center, 71 West 23rd Street, NYC. Tel: (646) 336-4455. The Center is located in Manhattan's exciting Chelsea district, a safe neighborhood near major subway lines, Penn Station and several fine hotels.  For subway, parking and hotel information, please visit NYCSCC website's "Visiting" page.

Lodging:  Hampton Inn Chelsea Tel: (212) 414-1000 or Wyndham Garden Hotel Tel (212) 243-0800, both hotels are in walking distance to the seminar center.

Parking: 724 Parking Corp. (Corner of 6th Ave and 24th St.) Tel: (212) 242-9755

Cancellation Policy:  Artisan Business Group reserves the rights to change and/or schedule the event due to various reasons such as extreme weather condition.  If you cancel your attendance, 50% of your registration fee (exclude one time processing fee of $9.95) will be refunded.  A full refund will be issued if the event is canceled.

Photo Policy:  Artisan Business Group reserves the rights to photo the event and use such photos for promotional activities.