FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 18, 2006) Piazza d’Italia, a two-day best of Italy exhibition showcasing the best of Italian food, wine, culture, fashion, and travel, will be held October 20 and October 21, 2006 during the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Annual Convention at the Hilton Washington & Towers Exhibit Hall in Washington, D.C. The event hours will be 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Friday, October 20 and 9 a.m. – noon on Saturday, October 21.

Special events will include a Saks Fifth Avenue presentation of the latest fashion trends and tastings of select Italian wines while Fabrizio Bottero, executive chef of Cuisinart, cooks up fine Italian fare. Maserati North America will showcase its luxury sedan, the Quattroporte.

Other exhibitors include Balducci’s Market, Cuisinart Resort & Spa, Mike’s Deli, AV Imports, American University of Rome, the European Academy for Economic and Cultural Relations, and Italian Senator Marcello Pera, who will give a book presentation.

Piazza d’Italia is sponsored by NIAF and the Ambassador to the United States, Giovanni Castellaneta, in cooperation with the Italian Trade Commission and the Italian Government Tourist Board.

For more information, contact Kristi Pappalardo at 202/939-3109 or kristina@niaf.org.