Registration and Coffee

9:00am-9:05am

Master of Ceremony: Joe Borich, Executive Director, Washington State China Relations Council

The Washington State China Relations Council (WSCRC) is a leading voice since 1979 in promoting trade between China, Hong Kong, and the United States. This not-for-profit organization represents over 150 corporate members such as The Boeing Company, Microsoft Corporation, Weyerhaeuser, Frank Russell Company, Costco Wholesale, PACCAR International, Starbucks Coffee Company, major ports, banks, law firms, and other manufacturers, retailers, businesses and major universities in Washington State.

Welcome Remarks

• Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen, State of Washington

9:05am-9:25am

Hong Kong: Turning China Into Opportunity

• Stephen Wong, Regional Director, Americas, Hong Kong Trade Development Council. He oversees HKTDC's seven branch offices in North, Central and South America. Mr. Wong draws upon his extensive experience in trade development and promotion in the U.S. and Asia to create and facilitate opportunities in international trade between Hong Kong and its trading partners. Prior to his transfer to HKTDC's New York Office, Mr. Wong was based in Hong Kong as HKTDC's Director of Information Services where he spearheaded the Council's extensive e-commerce capabilities and business training programs for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Mr Wong also held the positions of Director for Product Promotion and Head of the Administration Department while serving in Hong Kong. Mr Wong graduated from the University of Saskatchewan and completed the Senior Executive Education Program at New York's Columbia University.

  With more than 40 offices around the world, Hong Kong Trade Development Council is the statutory organization for promoting Hong Kong's international trade through comprehensive services of business matching, product magazines, trade fair information and market intelligence.

9:25am-9:45am

Zhuhai: Your Platform for Capturing Business Opportunities in China

• Ms. Li Ying, Deputy Secretary-General, Zhuhai Municipal People's Government of the People's Republic of China. She is responsible for foreign economic and trade affairs, anti-smuggling, foreign affairs (including cooperation between Zhuhai and Macao), overseas Chinese affairs, Taiwan relationship, ethical relationship, religion, industrial and commercial administration and private economy, etc.

9:45am-10:45am

Panel Discussion: Business Opportunities and Experiences in Doing Business with Hong Kong and China

Moderator:

• Bill Stafford, President, Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle. The Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle is comprised of the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Metropolitan King County Government, Snohomish County Government, Pierce County Government, the City of Seattle, the City of Everett, the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and organized labor representatives. The Trade Alliance exists to promote the Greater Seattle region as one of North America’s premier international gateways and commercial centers.

• David Tang, Managing Partner, Asia, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP. He leads the Asia practice and four China offices and is on the Firm Executive Committee. He was a former Managing Partner of the Firm from 1995-2000. His practice focuses on foreign investment and international business transactions and financings. Among other activities, he serves as Chairman of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, President of the American Bar Foundation, past Chair of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and on the boards of National Bureau of Asian Research, the Pacific Council on International Policy, National Committee on US-China Relations, and Anglo-American Real Property Institute. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Visiting Committee of Columbia University School of Law and several groups within the American Bar Association. He holds an AB (magna) from Harvard University; a JD from Columbia University; and a certificate from The Hague Academy of International Law. He was born in Hong Kong and speaks Chinese.

(click here to download presentation in PDF format, 590KB)

• Charles Witzleben, President, Supervalu International Division
  SUPERVALU Inc. is the largest food distribution company in the U.S., and the 3rd largest retailer, with total revenue of over US$44 billion. The International Division is responsible for all of the company's worldwide distribution and procurement, has been in operation since 1985, and has a staff over 50 people dedicated to international trade and development. Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, SVI services retailers and importer/distributors throughout the world, with a primary focus on Asia Pacific. SVI also manages all food imports for the company, and has a fast growing general merchandise import program for customers outside of the company. In close coordination with SUPERVALU's Corporate senior management, Mr. Witzleben is also responsible for analyzing and developing strategic international opportunities for the company.

(click here to download presentation in PDF format, 132KB)

• Rony Lerner, Vice President, R&D - Database Solutions, Quest Software, Inc.
  Quest Software, Inc., a leading enterprise systems management vendor, delivers innovative products that help organizations get more performance and productivity from their applications, databases, Windows infrastructure and virtual environments. Through a deep expertise in IT operations and a continued focus on what works best, Quest helps more than 90,000 customers worldwide meet higher expectations for enterprise IT. Headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, Quest Software has operations all over the globe including Seattle, Hong Kong and Zhuhai in China. Rony Lerner is responsible for coordinating the R&D assignments for Quest Software's operations in Hong Kong and Zhuhai.

(click here to download presentation in PDF format, 618KB)

• Christopher Leu, President, Daystar Capital Partners, Inc
  Daystar Capital Partners, Inc, a private investment banking firm is Los Angeles and Hong Kong. He was previously the President & C.E.O. of United Pacific Bank and President & Managing Director for Seyen Capital Markets, Inc. United Pacific Bank is a full service state-chartered, FDIC insured bank based in Los Angeles, California with emphasis in corporate banking and real estate financing. Seyen Capital Markets, Inc. is a private investment banking company with emphasis in middle-market and cross-border debt/equity transactions. Prior to the present appointments, Mr. Leu held various positions including as a member of the Board of Directors with Dah Sing Bank in Hong Kong, and Senior Credit Manager with the HSBC Group in Los Angeles. Mr. Leu is the Immediate Past President and founding director for the Hong Kong Association of Southern California, and Immediate Past Chairman for the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide Limited.

(click here to download presentation in PDF format, 353KB)

• Herman Uscategui, Director, International Development, Starbucks Coffee Company
  He is responsible for assigned new markets development, including partner selection process, negotiations, and coordination of overall project deliverables. Prior to joining Starbucks, Herman was director, Worldwide Projects at Westin Hotels & Resorts corporate offices in Seattle. He was responsible for international hotel management development and franchises agreements. Herman started his responsibilities at Westin representing then Westin's parent company, Aoki Corporation of Japan in international business ventures. He started his business career in Tokyo, Japan with Aoki Corporation. He received a Master in Engineering from Saitama University/University of Tokyo and doctoral studies from the University of Tokyo in Japan. He also holds a Master in Economics from Temple University in Japan and is fluent in several languages.

10:45am-10:50am

How InvestHK Can Help

• Lawrence Tang, Head, Investment Promotion Unit, Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, San Francisco
  HKETO in the United States is the permanent representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG). The HKETO's mission is to represent the HKSARG in strengthening the economic, trade, investment and cultural ties between Hong Kong and the United States.

(click here to download presentation in PDF format, 81KB)

Q&A Session

11:25am-11:30am

Closing Remarks

• Benjamin Lee, President, Hong Kong Association of Washington
  In addition to his capacity as president of the Hong Kong Association of Washington, Benjamin Lee is also a prominent business leader. Formerly known as Hong Kong Club of Washington, the Hong Kong Association of Washington was founded in January 1991 with the objectives to foster closer relationship between Hong Kong and the business community around the greater Seattle area. With the influx of immigrants from Hong Kong, membership of the Association has recently grown over 300.

One-on-one consultation workshop by HKTDC (optional)