NIAF E-Newsletter

It’s not too late to sign on as a sponsor for NIAF’s 34th Anniversary Gala! NIAF is offering a variety of special sponsorship opportunities, ranging from a basic full-page ad in the event’s journal to packages that also include tickets to the gala dinner and Friday night entertainment.

The deadline is Friday, September 25, so act now to put your name on this exclusive event! Click here to download NIAF’s sponsorship form and get started! For more information, contact Jerry Jones at 202-387-0600 or jerry@niaf.org.

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NIAF has just confirmed that Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. and Vinny Cerrato, Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Washington Redskins, will attend NIAF's 34th Anniversary Gala on October 24, 2009! They join special guest Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who announced her plans to attend the gala last week. Stay tuned for more announcements about other dignitaries and special guests attending the gala in the coming weeks…

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Planning to attend the National Italian American Foundation’s 34th Anniversary Convention and Gala Weekend? Tickets are still available!

There’s still time to lock in your reservation for this two-day event, which consistently sells out; typically the gala alone is attended by 3,000 guests. Planned for the weekend of October 23-24, 2009 in Washington, D.C., the weekend will feature special receptions, entertainment and conferences at The Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C. Click here to reserve your seat today!

In keeping with our tradition of hosting the President of the United States at this event, President Barack Obama has been invited to attend. But most importantly, your attendance will advance NIAF’s educational programs, including scholarships and educational trips to Italy for young people, grants to organizations and other special initiatives to preserve and transmit our great heritage.

NIAF's 34th Annual Celebrity Auction on October 24 is a rare chance to bid on amazing trips, fantastic products and many more wonderful items. But you don't have to attend to participate! NIAF will soon be launching online bidding for the auction on www.niaf.org.

This year’s celebrity auction will feature trips to Italy, Hawaii, Brazil and other great destinations; seven-night Caribbean cruises; luxury Italian goods by Fendi, Missoni and other brands; plus fantastic dinners donated by famous restaurants from across the U.S.

Stay tuned for more information about NIAF’s online bidding!

If you are interested in donating an item to the auction, please contact Alessia Dinkel at alessia@niaf.org or 202-939-3117.

Learn more about NIAF’s star honorees

NIAF’s star-studded list of gala honorees includes chef and philanthropist Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, CEO of PepsiCo Americas Beverages Massimo F. d’Amore, actor Carla Gugino, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Italian singing legend Antonello Venditti. Additionally, comedian Jimmy Kimmel will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Click here to read more about our honorees.

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Enjoy a convention weekend taste of Italy

On Friday, October 23 from 2:30 to 4 p.m., NIAF will host a free seminar on the culture of Italian food and wine. Look for more details about this event in the coming weeks! To view NIAF’s Convention and Gala Weekend Schedule, click here.

Special Achievement in Music honoree and renowned Italian singer/songwriter Antonello Venditti will give an exclusive performance, Venditti Live!, for the Convention Weekend’s Friday Night Entertainment on October 23. Since the 1970s, Venditti has been beloved all over the world for his anthemic ballads and socially conscious lyrics. Recently, he is most known for the soccer anthem and patriotic salute to his native city of Rome, “Grazie Roma.”

Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience Venditti Live! in an intimate setting.

Tickets for this special performance are $70-$150. Contact Carlo Piccolo at 202-939-3105 or carlo@niaf.org or click here to reserve your seat today!

Showcase your company at NIAF’s Piazza d’Italia

You can do more than attend the convention and gala weekend – you can also be a part of the scene by exhibiting in our Piazza d’Italia, a popular showcase of Italian goods, travel opportunities, food, wine and more.

Back by popular demand during the gala weekend, the Piazza d’Italia is the perfect opportunity to showcase your business to Italian Americans from across the country. A variety of sponsorship packages are available, providing exhibit booths, volunteers to represent your company, tickets to the weekend’s Friday night entertainment and Saturday evening gala, and even ads in NIAF’s Ambassador magazine.

To sign up for an exhibit booth today, call 202-939-3113 or e-mail piazza@niaf.org.

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Other News:

Support NIAF through the CFC

The 2009-2010 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is up and running! If you are a federal, state or local government employee, you can donate to NIAF through this great program. Our CFC number is 12280!

Please check with your CFC coordinator about upcoming campaign events where NIAF representatives could distribute information about our important work. If you would like to represent NIAF at a CFC fair, please contact Alessia Dinkel at alessia@niaf.org.

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Affiliate News:

NOIAW honors Geraldine Ferraro

The National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) will honor former NIAF Board Member Geraldine A. Ferraro by celebrating the 25th Anniversary her historic achievement as the first Italian American and woman to run for national office.

Ferraro will receive the organization's exclusive Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization’s Annual Luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on September 26, 2009, presented by former New York Governor Mario Cuomo.

Proceeds will benefit the NOIAW's Scholarship, Mentor and Exchange Programs as well as other cultural and professional events.

For information or to purchase tickets call 212-642-2003 or purchase on www.noiaw.org. Gentlemen welcome!

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NIAF e-Newsletter compiled
by Beatrice Santacroce
and edited
by Monica Soladay.
enews@niaf.org

For the latest NIAF news and in-depth details of all the Foundation offers, be sure to visit our Web site: www.niaf.org