Authentic Italian Food & Wine Festival 2024

5 Trends to Watch: 2025 Immigration & Compliance

By Greenberg Traurig ( Kate Kalmykov and Courtney B. Noce)

1. Incoming Presidential Administration’s Agenda: As the incoming presidential administration has placed immigration at the top of the agenda for 2025, executive actions and new policy could be implemented quickly.

2.  Increased Security Checks and Consular Delays: Increased security is expected at airports and ports of entry to the United States. Companies may want to prepare employees for longer wait times and more questioning by immigration upon entering the country. In addition, increased administrative processing/security vetting at consulates is expected, which may increase visa processing times. There is likely to be a particular emphasis on vetting applicants coming from countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism.

3.  Workplace Compliance: The incoming administration has noted that compliance is a priority, so companies’ compliance concerns will likely not be limited solely to their foreign national population. A continued focus on Form I-9, E-Verify, and potential discrimination in the hiring process is anticipated, as well as increased site visits for those on work-authorized visas.

4.  Crossover of Employment and Immigration Law: As employment law varies from state to state, companies should understand the differences in local law in each jurisdiction where they operate and adjust company policy and procedures accordingly. The increase in remote work and corresponding mobility of the U.S. workforce may also give rise to additional immigration and labor and employment considerations.

5.  Lengthy Government ProcessingTimes: Current processing times for most immigration benefits are lengthy, and this is unlikely to change significantly under the Trump administration; though there may be additional delays if immigration benefits become more highly scrutinized. An increase in the filing of mandamus requests in federal court is anticipated, as foreign nationals seek to compel the adjudication of long-pending immigration applications.

Autentico: The Italian Food & Wine Festival

We are excited to announce the launch of the new branding of our popular signature event The Authentic Italian Food & Wine Festival.

Starting from today the event will carry the name “Autentico: The Italian Food & Wine Festival.” This refreshed identity includes a new logo, making the festival’s Italian roots instantly recognizable.

While our beloved event’s format remains unchanged—continuing to celebrate the finest Italian food, wine, and culture—the new name “Autentico” simplifies recall and enhances our association with genuine Italian authenticity.

Entering its 6th edition, this rebranding marks a significant milestone for the festival. It strengthens our mission to provide an authentic Italian experience, bridging Italy and our enthusiastic Florida community even more effectively. “Autentico” is not just a name; it is our promise of genuine Italian quality and passion, celebrated annually at our festival with different sessions open to industry professionals and to local consumers.

If you are an Italian producer, or importer of Italian products interested in exhibiting, please contact us at marketing@iacc-miami.com or visit our webpage for comprehensive event details and our exhibitors package.

We look forward to welcoming you at the Coral Gables Country Club on June 11th 2025.

The IACCSE Reaches 322 Members

The number of companies associated with the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACCSE) continues to grow significantly. Last year, our Chamber saw an impressive 12% increase in memberships, reaching a remarkable total of 300 members. This positive trend has continued into the first quarter of 2025, driven by both the addition of new members and enhanced retention rates among existing ones. As a result, the Chamber has reached a historic record of 322 members, the highest number ever achieved by our organization in its 34 years of operations.

First and foremost, we would like to thank all the businesses that have placed their trust in us and recognize our ongoing efforts to provide valuable networking opportunities and tangible benefits. Our primary commitment remains to consistently deliver meaningful value propositions to our members.

In the coming days, we will launch a targeted campaign aimed at reconnecting with former members who previously did not renew their memberships. We believe that the greater our membership base, the stronger and more valuable our network becomes, ultimately multiplying opportunities for meaningful business connections.

If you are considering joining the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast, you can find detailed information about our membership benefits for each category here

Additionally, you can access the complete calendar of our upcoming events for the year 2025 here.

Join us today and become part of a growing community dedicated to promote Italy and its industries and to fostering successful business relationships.

19 Restaurants in the U.S. Southeast to Receive the Prestigious ‘Marchio Ospitalità Italiana’

The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACCSE) is proud to announce that 19 Italian restaurants have been awarded the prestigious Marchio Ospitalità Italiana certification for the 2025-2026 period.

This distinguished recognition—granted by Unioncamere, the Federation of Italian Chambers of Commerce—serves as a seal of quality for authentic Italian restaurants worldwide, acknowledging their commitment to preserving and promoting the rich traditions of Italian cuisine.

Restaurants earn the Marchio Ospitalità Italiana by submitting their candidacy through their local Italian Chamber of Commerce and meeting rigorous standards of quality, authenticity, and culinary excellence.

The award ceremony will take place on June 11th at the Coral Gables Country Club during the 6th edition of “Autentico, the Italian Food & Wine Festival.” This popular event will bring together institutional representatives, industry professionals and local food lovers to celebrate a shared passion for authentic Italian gastronomy.

The 19 restaurants receiving the Marchio Ospitalità Italiana certification for 2025-2026 are:

We extend our congratulations to all the awarded chefs and restaurateurs for their dedication to preserving the integrity of Italian cuisine and culture.

Italian Exports to Florida Continue to Grow

According to the data published by ITA (Italian Trade Agency) in 2024, Italian exports to Florida grew by 1%, reaching a total of $3.95 billion, surpassing the already high level achieved in 2023. The leading category was fashion and accessories, which experienced impressive growth of 21%, totaling $722.4 million. This category includes jewelry, cosmetics, footwear, leather goods, and clothing. Notably, cosmetic products within this sector recorded exceptional growth, increasing by 33%.

The second most important category was food products, which rose significantly by 28% compared to 2023, reaching a value of $557.3 million. Wine stood out within this category, increasing sales by 9% and achieving $252.7 million. Other notable growth areas within the food sector included mineral waters, sauces, cheeses, olive oil, coffee, and spirits.

Industrial machinery and mechanical products ranked third, with exports valued at $476.3 million, representing a slight decrease of 3% from the previous year. The nautical industry followed closely behind, exporting $449.1 million worth of goods, a decline of 19% from its record high of $527.8 million in 2023.

Furniture and construction materials, including furniture, ceramics, stone, and marble, achieved export sales totaling $447.2 million, marking a growth of 6%. Lastly, the automotive sector completed the list of top Italian exports to Florida, experiencing a notable growth of 16% between 2023 and 2024, reaching a total value of $313.2 million by the end of 2024.

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