FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elissa Ruffino, 202-939-3106, elissa@niaf.org

___________________________________________

Join NIAF Board member and Emmy Award-winning Fox News Anchor and Global Markets Editor Maria Bartiromo and NIAF Celebrity Ambassador, actor, entertainer and radio host Joe Piscopo, as they co-host one of the most popular black-tie galas in the nation’s capital. The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is sponsoring its 39^th Anniversary Gala Weekend, culminating with its Awards Gala and After Hours Party on Saturday evening, October 25, at The Washington Hilton.

This year’s gala honorees include:

• Daniel D’Aniello, Co- Founder and Chairman of Carlyle Group.

• Pino Cicala, Founder and Editor of AMICO website and Antenna Italia Radio-TV.

• David Cordani, President and CEO of Cigna Corporation.

• Pasqualino Monti, President, Port Authority of Rome Civitavecchia.

To open the weekend festivities on Friday evening, October 24, NIAF will host “The Wildest Comes to Washington” Casino Night in the Hilton International Ballroom. Casino tables, exclusive raffle items and prizes, along with an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and dancing to live music by Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses, will begin at 8 p.m.Saturday highlights during the day include a networking breakfast recognizing the NIAF 2015 Region of Honor: Lombardia; a special screening of the highly anticipated PBS series “The Italian Americans”; a lunch featuring Italian specialties catered by Mike’s Deli of Arthur Avenue in New York; and the always popular Gala Wine Tasting featuring a selection of wines throughout Italy.

Tickets to Saturday’s black-tie gala begin at $350 per person (members), $400 per person (non-members). Tickets to Friday evening’s casino night begin at $200 per person. Proceeds benefit NIAF’s educational programs. For tickets or sponsor information, contact Jerry Jones at 202-387-0600 or jerry@niaf.org, or register online at www.niaf.org/gala.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of Americans of Italian descent. Visit www.niaf.org.

Reserve a room in special discounted NIAF room block at the Washington Hilton at www.niaf.org/hilton

SPONSOR: