FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

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

(WASHINGTON, DC – October 10, 2005) The Region of Piedmont will host a series of food and wine tastings Friday, October 14 during the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) convention weekend at the Hilton Washington & Towers in Washington, D.C. Piedmont is the 2005 sponsoring region from Italy of the NIAF Annual Convention and 30th Anniversary Gala Awards Dinner.

“We are very pleased to welcome Mercedes Bresso, president of the Region of Piedmont, and her colleagues to showcase their gastronomical and wine producing traditions during our convention in the nation’s capital,” Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli, NIAF chairman, said. Piedmont is located in the northwestern part of Italy, bordering Switzerland and Valle D’Aosta to the north and France to the west.

The Region of Piedmont will host a wine tasting event and provide products that are typical of the region on Friday, October 14, at 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the Georgetown Room on the Terrace Level of the Hilton Washington & Towers. The event is free and open to the public.

During the NIAF convention weekend (October 14-15), the Foundation will host conferences, the traditional celebrity luncheon and auction, a youth networking breakfast, and the 6th Annual Salute to the Martini with music by Jay Black and the Americans. A screening of the film Uncle Nino starringJoe Mantegna, NIAF celebrity spokesperson, is scheduled for Friday, October 14. The following day, NIAF will host a screening of Sophia Loren’s film Francesca e Nunziata.

This year’s NIAF gala honorees include: Paul S. Otellini, president and CEO of Intel; General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Michelle Peluso, president and CEO of Travelocity; and Ambassador Peter F. Secchia, chairman of the board at Universal Forest Products Inc., and managing partner of SIBSCO LLC. Popular entertainer Tony Danza will be the evening’s master of ceremonies.

Dinner tickets begin at $400 each. Proceeds to benefit the NIAF Scholarship and Education Programs.For tickets or sponsor information, contact: Bonni Cellini at 202/939-3114 or bonni@niaf.org or register on-line at www.niaf.org.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC and dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visitwww.niaf.org