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

EVENT: NIAF 32nd Anniversary Awards Gala and Annual Convention

SPONSOR: The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)

WHEN: Friday, October 12, 2007
9 a.m. Conferences, 8 p.m. Evening Entertainment
Saturday, October 13, 2007
6 p.m. Reception, 7 p.m. Dinner and Awards

WHERE: Hilton Washington & Towers
1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. (202/483-3000)

CONTACT: Elissa Ruffino – 202/939-3106, elissa@niaf.org

More than 3,000 guests from across the United States and Italy will attend theNational Italian American Foundation’s 32nd Anniversary Awards Gala and Annual Conventionon October 12 and 13 at the Hilton Washington & Towers in the nation’s capital.

Highlights of the weekend include a performance by rock and roll legendNeil Sedakaat the annual “Salute to the Martini” on Friday evening, and a special tribute to NIAF founding memberJack Valenti, former president of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), during Saturday evening’s awards gala. Academy Award-winning directorMartin Scorsesewill be recognized for launching a new NIAF program in memory of Valenti. This year’s gala honorees include: • Rudolph W. Giuliani, presidential candidate and former New York City mayor

• William D. Novelli, CEO of AARP
• Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
• Ellen Pompeo, actress on the ABC drama series “Grey’s Anatomy”
• Connie Stevens, actress, singer, and entrepreneur

During NIAF’s convention weekend, the Foundation will hostPiazza d’Italia, a two-day exhibition of Italy’s best, aCelebrity Auction and Luncheon, andRenaissance Kids’ Club, an educational program for youngsters ages 7 to 13. A travel conference, “Discovering Italy,” will be held Friday. On Saturday, NIAF will host a conference, “The 2008 Presidential Election: Is There an Italian-American Vote?” Liguria is this year’s sponsoring region from Italy. Dinner tickets begin at $400 per person. Attire: Black tie. Proceeds benefit NIAF educational programs and Gardens of Hope, a NIAF co-sponsored community garden project benefiting the homeless and those in inner-city shelters.For tickets or sponsor information, contact Carolyn Laurenzano at 202/939-3114 or carolyn@niaf.org, or register online at www.niaf.org. The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org.