News & Events

Join us as we celebrate the 33rd Anniversary of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). The October 18, 2008 Washington Gala promises to be the best in the history of our organization!

Leonardo DiCaprio, a Golden Globe Award-winning and three time-Academy Award nominated actor, will receive a NIAF Special Achievement Award in Entertainment.

*Gina Lollobrigida, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Honorable Rudy Giulliani, Yogi Berra, Barbara Sinatra, Justice Samuel Alito, Jr., Franco Harris to Join DiCaprio*

Comedian Tom Dreesen will open the NIAF gala. Additional notables attending the dinner include Deana Martin, actress, singer and daughter of the late Dean Martin, H.E. Giovanni Castellaneta, Italy’s Ambassador to the U.S., and Vince Ferragamo, a former NFL player.

Honorees joining DiCaprio include Mark T. Bertolini, president of Aetna, Joseph DePinto, president and CEO of 7-Eleven, Inc., Gina Lollobrigida, legendary actress, and Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. Gianmarino Tondato da Ruos, CEO of Autogrill, S.p.A. will receive the NIAF U.S./Italy Friendship Award. The award honors prominent Italians who, as a result of their position or talent, have created a greater bond between our two nations. Notables who have received the Foundation’s U.S./Italy Award include Giulio Andreotti, Susanna Agnelli, Andrea Bocelli, Massimo Ferragamo, Gianni Versace and Giorgio Armani.

If you were with us last year you joined some notable friends including: Rudy Giuliani, Nancy Pelosi, Ellen Pompeo (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Connie Stevens, Martin Scorsese, Yogi Berra, Dion, Gina Lollobrigida, General Peter Pace, Justices Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito, Susan Lucci, Tony LoBianco Dick Vermeil, Vince Papale, Jerry Vale, and Maria Bartiromo.

Among some of the past honorees and invited guests are Tim McGraw , Robert De Niro, Lee Iacocca, Giorgio Armani, Al Pacino, Andrea Bocelli, Nicolas Cage, Tony Bennett, Alan Alda, Joe Montana, John Travolta, Sophia Loren, and Roberto Benigni. As with most election years, we also anticipate the attendance of the Presidential candidates at the event.

As you know, the NIAF Washington Gala is part of a two day convention (October 17-18) in the nation’s capital that includes other special receptions, entertainment and conferences. If you were with us last year, you were treated to a great show by Neil Sedaka as well as our Piazza d’Italia trade show. The Piazza d’Italia will be back again this year as well as first class entertainment. Your participation guarantees that the NIAF will continue to help our young people with their higher education, mentor programs, youth retreats and other efforts to instill a sense of pride in their wonderful heritage. You will also be supporting our “Voyage of Discovery” student program in Italy, and our “Students to Leaders” program helping young Italian Americans develop effective leadership skills.

Your early registration for the October NIAF Gala will ensure your attendance at one of the premier annual events in the nation. If your plans change, you may cancel your reservation up to 10 days prior to the dinner with a full refund.

If you have never attended the gala or have missed attending in recent years, 2008 is the year you will not want to miss.

We look forward to seeing you in October.

• 2008 Gala Weekend Schedule (pdf format)



• Souvenir Journal Advertising Form - For more information, please contact Carolyn Laurenzano at 202-939-3114 or by email at carolyn@niaf.org



• Book your room at the Hilton Washington & Towers

Please note that individual tickets and tables are scaled from $400 to $2,500 based on location. These seats are proportionally discounted for early registrants.

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