The annual Wilbur K. Woo Greater China Business Conference kicked off at 1pm today. The 2014 event, “Success Stories of U.S.-China Investment,” will continue until 8 p.m. with talks by several influential investors and successful business leaders with expertise in cross-border investments, as well as a networking session to round out the evening.
The day opened with the late Wilbur Woo’s son, Michael, addressing the packed Korn Convocation Hall. Michael, dean of the College of Environmental Design at Cal Poly Pomona and the first Asian American elected to the Los Angeles City Council, said his family was proud of the conference and the legacy his father had created. “This conference is a tremendous success, and it helps to realize the dream my father had of endowing this conference and teaching others about doing business with, and in, China,” he said.
Dean Judy Olian followed with remarks on the importance of a global worldview and China’s crucial role in that mindset. “This conference is a centerpiece of the school’s global strategy,” she said. Olian spoke of last week’s visit by former Korean Finance Minister and UCLA Anderson alumni Dr. Il SaKong and his insights into the Asian marketplace. “Asian economies will continue their central role supporting global growth,” she relayed from her talk with Dr. SaKong.
Olian then introduced California State Controller John Chiang. Chiang, a frequent speaker at UCLA Anderson, said events such as the Woo Conference are of critical importance in the current economic climate. “History has seen different regions rise economically in different periods. But we need to discover how both East and West can rise simultaneously,” he said. “It'll take work, but California is a great example of different people and different cultures coming together to create great success.”
The rest of the event includes plenary sessions on corporate social responsibility and cross-border investment in film and entertainment, panel discussions focused around "inbound" investment and panel discussions focused around "outbound" investment.
Head to the conference page for more information on the day’s remaining schedule.
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