FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Don Oldenburg
don@niaf.org
+1-202-939-3108

Celebrating Tony Bennett, Stanley Tucci, and Three Other Distinguished Honorees
NIAF Honors the 2021 Region of Honor—Abruzzo

(Washington, D.C. – October 15, 2021) The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is excited to celebrate its 46th Anniversary Gala at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, October 23.

Deadline to register for Press credentials: Tuesday, October 19, by 12 Noon ET.

NIAF will honor its 2021 Region of Honor, Abruzzo, and celebrate five remarkable honorees: Legendary singer Tony Bennett (accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award virtually); award- winning actor Stanley Tucci (accepting virtually); director of Pixar Animation Studio’s hit film Luca Enrico Casarosa (accepting virtually); CEO of the Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri, Giuseppe Bono; and Chairman of the New Jersey-based corporation Interstate Commercial John P. Silvestri.

Hosting the black-tie event will be Maria Bartiromo, a NIAF Board Member, two-time Emmy Award winner, and anchor of Mornings with Maria on FBN, Sunday Morning Futures on FOX News, and Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street Week on FBN; and entertainer Joe Piscopo, former Saturday Night Live star. Entertainment for the evening will include: Italian Tenor Marco Fiorante; award-winning Italian singer-songwriter Chiara Izzi; and entertainer Deana Martin.

Prior to the Gala Awards Dinner at 7 p.m. will be the Gala Reception at 5:30 p.m. Immediately following the Gala Dinner, from 10 p.m. until midnight, will be the famed After Hours Party.

Press Check-In is 4:30 p.m.
For details and requests for credentials, email Don Oldenburg at don@niaf.org.

Gala Covid Requirements
Due to the continuing Covid situation and because guests will not be required to wear masks, the NIAF Board and Omni Shoreham Hotel will require everyone attending to comply with one of the following at the Covid Check-In Station before entry into the Saturday evening Gala events:

1. Provide proof of full Covid-19 vaccination by presenting a physical Covid-19 vaccination

record card (with final dose received at least 14 days prior to the event), or a clear image of the front and back of your Covid-19 vaccination record card, along with a valid driving license, photo identification card, or valid passport.

or

2. Provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test result taken within 72 hours of the event’s start time.

The following tests will be accepted: RT-PCR test or Antigen test (at-home rapid test).

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and protecting the Italian American heritage and culture. To learn more about the Foundation and become a member, please visit www.niaf.org.