FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

* Perspectives on the Current US/European Business
Relations in a Challenging Economy *
** Giuseppe Guzzetti, Roberto Sestini & Beatrice Trussardi as Honorees **

(WASHINGTON, DC — June 3, 2003), Perspectives on the Current US/European Business Relations in a Challenging Economy is the topic of the conference to be held at the Centro Congressi Giovanni XXII on Thursday, June 19 at 9:00 AM in Bergamo, Italy. The conference is chaired by Dick Grasso, New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) chairman & CEO and National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) vice chairman.

The conference, sponsored by the Bergamo Chamber of Commerce and (NIAF) in cooperation with the United States Embassy to Italy and the Milan Stock Exchange – Borsa Italiana, begins at 9:00 AM with an opening plenary session. Speakers include: Massimo Capuano, president and CEO, Borsa Italiana; Dick Grasso, chairman & CEO, NYSE; Hon. Frank J. Guarini, chairman, NIAF; Douglas L. McElhaney, United States Consul General, Milan; and Dr. Roberto Sestini, chairman, Bergamo Chamber of Commerce.

Two panel discussions, Issues, Corporate Regulations, Governance and Security and Italy, the U.S. and Europe: Finance, Investments and Trade will immediately follow the plenary session at 10:15 AM and 2:00 PM, respectively. A luncheon is scheduled at 12:30 PM between the two panel discussions.

The NIAF business conference is held in conjunction with the Foundation’s June 19 Bergamo 2003 Gala Dinner, a celebration of the business, political and cultural ties between Italy and the United States. The gala dinner begins at 8PM at Cavernago Castle, a sixteenth-century castle located outside of Bergamo.

The NIAF Bergamo 2003 Gala Honorees are: Giuseppe Guzzetti, president, Associazione Casse di Risparmio Italiane; Roberto Sestini, chairman, Bergamo Chamber of Commerce and Beatrice Trussardi, president, Trussardi SpA. Prominent Italian and Italian American business executives and government officials are among the special guests.