Stay Informed!

Be the first to know with our newsletter! By subscribing, you’ll receive exclusive community updates, news and events straight to your inbox.

NIAF 33rd Anniversary Awards Gala and Annual Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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


MEDIA ADVISORY

EVENT: NIAF 33rd Anniversary Awards Gala and Annual Convention

SPONSOR: The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)

WHEN: Friday, October 17, 2008 9 a.m. Conferences, 8 p.m. Evening Entertainment Saturday, October 18, 2008 9 a.m. Events, 6 p.m. Gala Reception, 7 p.m. Dinner and Awards

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

More than 3,000 guests from the United States and Italy will attend the National Italian American Foundation’s 33rd Anniversary Awards Gala and Annual Convention on October 17 and 18, 2008 at the Hilton Washington & Towers in the nation’s capital.

Among some of Foundation’s past honorees and this year’s invited guests are: Alan Alda, Giorgio Armani, Roberto Benigni, Tony Bennett, Yogi Berra, Andrea Bocelli, Nicolas Cage, Robert De Niro, Sophia Loren, Tim McGraw, Joe Montana, Al Pacino, Martin Scorsese, John Travolta, and Dick Vermeil. As with most election years, we anticipate the attendance of the 2008 presidential candidates.

This year’s gala honorees include:
Mark T. Bertolini, president of Aetna
Joseph DePinto, president and CEO of 7-Eleven, Inc.
Gina Lollobrigida, legendary actress
Wayne Pacelle, CEO of The Humane Society of the United States
Gianmario Tondato da Ruos, CEO of Autogrill S.p.A.

During NIAF’s convention weekend, the Foundation will host Piazza d’Italia, a two-day exhibition of Italy’s Best and a Celebrity Auction and Luncheon. NIAF will host three conferences: “The Presidential Candidates Perspectives on the Future of Healthcare in America,” “Energy: America’s Challenge of the 21st Century,” and “From Dante to Benigni: Italian Language and Culture in American Schools.”

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.

NIAF is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. To learn about our programs/events, visit www.niaf.org.