• Conference on Immigration, in conjunction with the National Italian American Bar Association (NIABA); 10-11:30 a.m.
• The Victoria J. Mastrobuono Education Luncheon – a panel discussion Science and the Economy – Academic and Corporate World Partnerships in the 21st Century. Cost: $70 per person; noon to 2 p.m.
• Movie screening of Passione, a film by John Turturro in which the director shares his passion for Naples and its music; 2-4 p.m.
• Conference on Breast Cancer – “Bridging Research and Clinical Medicine,” presented by Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO); 2-4:30 p.m.
• Wine Tasting: Calabria’s Cuisine and Culture, featuring wines and delicacies from Italy’s Region of Calabria, with sommelier Luigi Diotaiuti, owner and chef of Al Tiramisu restaurant (www.altiramisu.com), award-winning author and food writer Amy Riolo (www.amyriolo.com) and author of "My Calabria" Rosetta Constantino (www.cookingwithrosetta.com). This event is proudly sponsored by Mike's Deli (www.arthuravenue.com); 4-6 p.m. Admission is $20.

• NIAF Philanthropic Roundtable: Italian Americans and Philanthropy In Italy—A Three-Case Study, with continental breakfast; 9-11 a.m.




• Celebrity Auction Luncheon!
  Your bargain-bidding hearts are sure to beat faster at one of the most exciting highlights of the Gala weekend! This year we’re auctioning off all sorts of must-have items, including a feisty 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth; a three-night stay in the Pavarotti Suite at the five-star Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy (with airfare); two tickets to the Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, February 2013 (includes hotel, ground transportation, and tickets to an exclusive Super Bowl Party); and four primo seats for a 2013 Washington Nationals Baseball Game in Nationals Park’s PNC Diamond Club section!
  
  
  
  
  Or, how about this: A four-day, all-inclusive excursion package for two on the Orient Express. Alitalia flies you to London where you stay at the London Syon Park Hotel, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel on the grounds of the Duke of Northumberland. Next morning, you board the Orient Express, with its vintage cabins, gastronomic cuisine and lively on-board entertainment. Journey 30 hours across quaint British landscapes and into Europe’s Alps to Venice, then stay in luxury accommodations at the Molino Stucky Hilton Venice, on the island of Giudecca, before returning home via Alitalia from Venice.
  
  Other great items include jewelry, fine wines and much more! The $75 admission includes a buffet Italian luncheon. Saturday, Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Call Xavier Atizol at 202-939-3100 for tickets or REGISTER ONLINE.



• NIAF—Ieri, Oggi, Domani –Be part of NIAF’s future as this session looks back at the Foundation’s history and forward to its exciting plans for tomorrow; 2:30-4 p.m.



• The 37th Anniversary Awards Gala!
  Rounding out Saturday evening is the Gala Reception and the centerpiece of the weekend, The 37th Anniversary Awards Gala Dinner.
  
  This year’s Master of Ceremonies will be Major League Baseball great Mike Piazza. And our distinguished list of honorees will make any Italian American proud: Geno Auriemma, Head Coach of the Olympic champion Women’s U.S. Basketball Team and Head Coach of Women’s Basketball at the University of Connecticut; Giovanni Ferrero, CEO of The Ferrero Group; Ralph Izzo, CEO of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG); Letizia Moratti, President of Friends of San Patrignano; Mark Del Rosso, Executive Vice President and COO of Audi America; and Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, the oldest science academy in the world. Receiving a NIAF Special Recognition in International Media Relations will be Marco Simeon, director of Government and International Relations at RAI.
  
  Among the notable guests from the worlds of entertainment, business and government will be Olympic Gold-winner Hope Solo, ESPN’s Tony Reali, Italian model Fabio, and actor Tony Lo Bianco.
  
  After the party, join the late-nighters at the Chairman’s After Hours Celebration.
  
  To purchase Gala tickets, CLICK HERE.
  
  Hotel Accommodations: By booking your room(s) within our room block at the Washington Hilton Hotel, you enable NIAF to continue negotiating the best rates on your behalf. You may book your reservation directly on the Hilton Website or you may call the Hilton at 202-483-3000 and refer to the “NIAF” room block.
  
  Sponsor the Gala!
  Sponsorships are available at many levels, starting at $1,500. Individuals, businesses, corporations and other institutions can show support for the National Italian American Foundation while receiving benefits such as electronic ads promoting your company that will appear throughout the Gala and on the NIAF website. Higher sponsorship levels receive Gala tickets, priority seating at the Gala, even advertising in NIAF’s glossy magazine Ambassador. For more information, contact Jerry Jones at 202-939-3102; fax at 202-387-0114, or e-mail at jerry@niaf.org.

Congratulations to NIAF Board Member and President and CEO of 7-Eleven Joseph DePinto. Texas A&M University’s Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics and Public Policy, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, presented him with the McLane Leadership in Business Award on Oct. 2, 2012.

Congratulations to NIAF Area Coordinator Francis Donnarumma who was elected president last month of the Connecticut Italian American Bar Association, and NIAF Area Coordinator Roy DeBarbieri who was named to the newly formed Board of Directors of the Connecticut Italian American Bar Association. Pictured is DeBarbieri (left) and Donnarumma (right) at the association’s Reorganization and Italian Heritage Dinner in New Haven, Conn., on Sept. 27, presenting special recognition certificates to attorneys Karen Lee Torre (second from left) and Alice Bruno. CIABA recognized Torre for her prosecution in the United States Supreme Court victory in Ricci v. DeStefano case, a landmark employment law decision, and Bruno for her selection as the executive director of the Connecticut Bar Association.

• Campania…A Land That Will Capture Your Heart” visits the cities of Agropoli, Amalfi, Anacapri, Avellino, Benevento, Capri, Caserta, Naples, Paestum, Pompeii, Positano, Salerno and Sorrento.
• “The Enchanting Hill Towns of Umbria & Eastern Tuscany” tours the cities of Arezzo, Assisi, Cortona, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Orvieto, Perugia, Pienza, Siena and Todi.
• “Grand Tour of Sicily 2012” will go to the cities of Agrigento, Catania, Cefalu, Etna, Erice, Monreale, Noto, Palermo, Siracusa and Taormina.
• “The Jewels of the Riviera with a touch of Piedmont” visits the cities of Cinque Terre, Genoa, Monte Carlo, Nice, Pollenzo, Portofino, Rapallo and Santa Margherita.

Alitalia