National U.S. Hong Kong Business Association Las Vegas Conference

The National U.S. Hong Kong Business Association (NUSHKBA) Las Vegas Conference was held May the 12^th inside the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino. This was NUSHKBA’s first ever conference since its formation in February of 2004.

The Las Vegas conference had many great guest speakers, and held a networking cocktail reception afterwards. The speakers predominately spoke on behalf of why businesses should relocate and do business both in and with Las Vegas, Hong Kong, and Nevada.

NUSHKBA Las Vegas Conference Guest Speakers

Speaking was done by a panelist of people from an entrepreneur who has had great success making and selling children’s shoes, to the director of the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office.

All in all there were a total of six panelists who spoke. The panelists of speakers were:

• Frank R. Woodbeck and Jeff Leung as Moderated by Eugene J. Hanratty III

Frank Woodbeck, the Director of Las Vegas Operations and Statewide Workforce Initiatives at Nevada Commission on Economic Development (NCED), spoke about the relocating of businesses to Las Vegas.  Jeff talked about doing business and collaborating with people and businesses in Hong Kong. Both complemented each other nicely and made it clear that doing business in either place is never a bad idea.

• Andrew Edlefsen and Angela Edgeworth who were moderated by Christopher C. Leu

Andrew Edlefsen is the director software oem of the Expert Assistance Center-U.S. Department of Commerce and talked about the U.S. Government Expert Assistance and Resources in Nevada, China and Hong Kong. Following his speech was Entrepreneur Angela Edgeworth who talked about both of her businesses; American Grating and PediPed. She moved her own business, PediPed from California to here and gave some great reasons for doing so.

• Frank Spady and Dannie Chiu as moderated by Daniel Chen

Our own Frank Spady talked about the Las Vegas International Press Club and how it will bring many great things, including jobs, to our great state and wonderful city. Preceding Frank was Dannie Chiu, Director, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong Trade Development Council. She discussed increasing your export opportunity into the Asian Markets

Lorraine T. Hunt-Bono—Key Note Speaker

The keynote speaker, the honorable Lorraine T. Hunt-Bono did a magnificent job speaking, and graced us by singing a few bars of “Getting to Know You” for everyone. She spoke of her memories of decades ago by sighting some entertaining stories about old time Vegas.

The night’s events were wrapped up by introducing, Las Vegas native Ryan Ahern, a well-known piano player. He is known for his lightning-fast fingers and played several songs on the piano for the group.

With a well-rounded group of speakers and a great atmosphere, NUSHKBA is bound to only grow larger in the years to come.  We’re all ready looking forward to another conference!