49th Anniversary Gala Weekend Schedule

OMNI SHOREHAM HOTEL
2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington, D.C.

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
9:30 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.
 NIAF Forum
Join the National Italian American Foundation as we celebrate the best of Italian heritage and culture, our 2024 Region of Honor, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and the importance of roots tourism! All the NIAF Forum seminars are free and open to the public, and a great way for Italians and Italophiles to connect with the Bel Paese!
 

 
9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Diplomat Foyer)
 NIAF Information Desk
Pick up your weekend schedule here, renew your NIAF membership and learn more about the Foundation’s activities outside of Diplomat Room!
 

 
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
(Diplomat Ballroom)
 The 2nd Annual Italpress Awards
After the success of the inaugural Italpress Awards in New York, Italian press agency, Italpress has partnered with NIAF to host its annual award ceremony in conjunction with NIAF’s Anniversary Gala weekend in Washington, DC. The second annual ceremony, honoring prominent Italian and Italian American figures who raise the excellence of Made in Italy in the world, will recognize the President of the Region of Friuli Venezia-Giulia and the State Region’s Conference Massmiliano Fedriga, the Italian Ambassador to the United States of America Mariangela Zappia, the President of AmCham Stefano Lucchini, the President of the Fondazione De Gasperi Angelino, the North American Country Manager of ITA Airways Massimo Allegri and the Director of the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research Dr. Antonio Giordano. In celebration of the second edition of the Italpress Awards, Italpress will announce the launch of their new initiative with NIAF that offers internships to Italian American college upperclassmen and recent graduates at Italpress’s offices in Palermo, Rome and Milan under the direction of Gaspare Borsellino.
 
* This event is FREE and open to the public, but limited seating is available; for more information, please email Julia Kennedy at jkennedy@niaf.org
 

 
9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
(Executive Room)
 Innovative Pain therapy breakthroughs: Insights from Italian scientists
In recent years, Italian scientists have made significant strides in pain therapy research. Their innovative approaches have led to breakthroughs that promise relief for patients suffering from chronic pain. One notable advancement involves personalized treatment plans based on genetic markers, allowing for targeted interventions, and virtual reality-based therapies to alleviate cancer pain. Additionally, Italian researchers have explored novel drug formulations, such as sustained-release patches and nanotechnology-based delivery systems, which enhance efficacy while minimizing side effects. Collaborations between scientists, clinicians, and industry partners have accelerated the translation of these discoveries into clinical practice, offering hope to millions worldwide.
  * This event is FREE and open to the public; for more information email  manuela.tchamou@temple.edu
 

 
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
(Diplomat Ballroom)
 De Gasperi and the Italy-U.S. Special Relationship
Join the Fondazione De Gasperi and celebrate Alcide De Gasperi for the role he played in building the historic relationship between Italy and the United States in the post-World War II period. This presentation will examine the most significant stages of De Gasperi’s engagement in forging the Transatlantic link, which has been the cornerstone of the Italian foreign and security policy up to the present day. In the wake of De Gasperi’s work, the session will also focus on the present and future of the Italy-U.S. special relationship, promoting reflection and debate on how to further strengthen the alliance between the two countries in the broader Transatlantic context and international scenario.
  * This event is FREE and open to the public, but limited seating is available; for more information, please email Julia Kennedy at jkennedy@niaf.org
 

 
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
(Diplomat Ballroom)
 1000 Miglia Experience – USA Florida 2025
The world’s most iconic car race is coming to the USA for the first time on February 22-25, 2025. Join Mille Miglia and learn more about the first edition of the Mille Miglia Experience USA in Florida that will combine Italian racing tradition, lifestyle and excellences with Florida’s unique landscapes. Starting in Coral Gables, the competition will pass through the Everglades, Naples, Tampa, Cape Canaveral and West Palm Beach, before returning to Miami. Participants will compete in three car classes: 1000 Miglia Originals, Classic Icons, Hypercars & Supercars. The winners will receive guaranteed acceptance to the 2026 1000 Miglia/1000 Miglia Experience in Italy.
 
* This event is FREE and open to the public, but limited seating is available; for more information, please email Julia Kennedy at jkennedy@niaf.org
 

 
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
(Ambassador Ballroom)
 Conway-Cuomo: Election 2024 Point/Counterpoint
A Victoria J. Mastrobuono Luncheon
Join NIAF for a lively moderated discussion with seasoned political consultant and former Special Counselor to the President, Kellyanne Conway and former New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo who will showcase their contrasting views on America’s political future. Conway and Cuomo will enlighten our audience with their distinct perspectives on the 2024 election, leaving attendees energized and eager for the next chapter in American politics. These engaging conversations will be moderated by NIAF Executive Vice Chair, John Calvelli and guests will be served a seated lunch.
   

* This is a TICKETED EVENT; for more information, click here.
 

 
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Diplomat Room)
 Calling the diaspora home. Maximizing the socioeconomic impact of ancestry-based tourism on Italy and its cross-border communities
Italy is a global tourism powerhouse, welcoming over 134 million arrivals and 451 million overnight stays in 2023, with international tourists (52.4% of the total) outnumbering domestic visitors. Italy’s rich history of emigration has created a vast Italian diaspora, with an estimated 80 million Italian descendants globally. The diaspora offers a significant opportunity for “roots tourism”, a growing sector where descendants visit their ancestral homeland. A recent survey shows that 97.3% of Italian oriundi expressed a strong desire to visit Italy to connect with their heritage; however, this interest is limited by the difficulty people have in accessing information about their family and past (43% of respondents). 2024 has been declared as the “Year of Italian Roots in the world” by the Italian government, and many other countries harnessed their diaspora communities as catalysts for tourism growth and cultural reconnection implementing various strategies and measures to strengthen ties with their diaspora communities. In Italy the total potential economic value added by roots tourism could amount to €65 billion, exceeding €141 billion applying the tourism economic multiplier. The Position Paper prepared by TEHA Group, in collaboration with the National Italian American Foundation, has identified 6 priority areas to attract cross-border communities to fully leverage the potential of roots tourism in Italy: governance and a national strategy on roots tourism; dual citizenship for Italian oriundi; communication and awareness campaigns; enhancing the territorial and cultural dimension; launching initiatives aimed at mapping descendants for Italian oriundi; and financing the Italian communities abroad and the territories of the Italian diaspora.

* This event is FREE and open to the public, but limited seating is available; for more information, please email Julia Kennedy at jkennedy@niaf.org
 

 
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
 Campari Aperitivo
Get the night started right with the NIAF Aperitivo reception courtesy of Campari. Sip on Campari’s signature cocktails while the DJ spins international beats.
 

 
7:00p.m. – 10:00 p.m. NIAF 49th Anniversary Awards Gala
Join leaders in business, politics, and the arts at the NIAF 49th Anniversary Gala. The black-tie dinner will celebrate the 2024 Region of Honor, Friuli Venezia Giulia, roots tourism and the 2024 honorees.
 

 
10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. NIAF Savino Nanula Celebration of Life After Party
Unwind Italian style after the gala with NIAF’s After Hours Celebration. Enjoy a Venetian Hour featuring Italian desserts, libations, and music.
 

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
(Holy Rosary Church, 595 3rd St NW )		 Mass in Italian
Conclude your weekend at Holy Rosary Church, the Italian National Parish of Washington. Holy Rosary Church was established in 1913 to serve the Italian immigrants who first lived in its immediate neighborhood.
  * This event is FREE and open to the public.