The Georgia Chapter of the IACCSE has recently reorganized its Executive Committee, which now consists of five well-respected entrepreneurs and professionals from the Atlanta area.
Emanuela Barzaghi, CEO of L&S Lighting Corp, will retain her position as Vice President of the IACCSE Georgia Chapter. She will be supported by four other committee members: Stefania Poli, COO of Omer USA Inc.; Filiberto Calascibetta, CPA & Partner of Rödl & Partner USA; Franco Rossi, President of Aquafil USA Inc.; and Giorgio Carrera, CEO of FAE US Inc.
The committee has appointed Mr. Nicola Vidali as Managing Director of the IACCSE- Georgia Chapter.
Mr. Vidali brings over 35 years of experience leading various marketing and communication projects in the US. A resident of Atlanta since 1993, Nicola is deeply involved in educational, social, and civic initiatives. This appointment underscores the commitment of the Executive Committee to work for the development of a the Chapter in a state where the Italian business community has a strong relevance.
Mr. Vidali will be supported by the Project Manager, Ms. Fabiana Calogero.
To contact the IACCSE Georgia Chapter, please send an email to atl@iaccse.com
Leadership Transition at Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast
After serving for more than seven years, President Tommaso Cardana has decided to step down with the conviction that he has fulfilled the primary objectives he set for the organization and to fully comply with the spirit of the new By-Laws of the Chamber that now establish a 6 years limit term for a President.
The leadership of the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACCSE) passes to another distinguished Italian entrepreneur, Graziano Sbroggio’, founder and owner of Graspa Group, one of the most successful restaurants’ groups in South Florida.
Cardana will continue to serve as a Board member.
“This decision was not easy” stated Cardana. “Serving as the chamber’s president has been a tremendous honor and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am proud of all we have achieved over the past years. I am confident that the Chamber will continue to flourish under Graziano Sbroggio’s leadership.”
During Mr. Cardana tenure as President, the IACCSE grew significantly reaching an historic milestone of more than 300 members, launched new and successful signature events, achieved positive financial results year after year, broadened its membership base across the Southeast with the opening of new chapters in major cities of the region, inaugurated a prestigious new office space in Brickell, and launched the Italian Lab project.
Graziano Sbroggio’ has been elected unanimously by the Board of Directors as new IACCSE President until the new board elections, that will take place in June 2025.
Mr. Sbroggio’ brings over 26 years of entrepreneurial experience, as he runs of one of Miami’s most successful restaurant groups. He has been a chamber member since the year 2000.
“I accepted this position because I believe in the crucial role the Chamber plays in connecting Italian and American businesses and in giving adequate representation to the Italian entrepreneurial community in the U.S. Southeast” said Sbroggio’ “Numerous presidents have led before me, each contributing uniquely to the chamber. I am honored to continue this legacy and I hope to have the support of as many people as possible, as a thriving organization is always the result of a collective effort”.
Following this leadership transition, the IACCSE Board of Directors is as follows: Mr. Graziano Sbroggio, (Owner of Graspa Group) – President; Mr. Claudio da Soller, (Senior Vice President and General Manager at Pininfarina of America Corp) – Executive Vice-President; Mrs. Dania Maccaferri, (CEO of Beghelli North America) – Vice President; Mr. Giacomo Bossa, (partner at Barakat + Bossa) – Secretary; Mr. Alberto Portolani, CEO of Neri North America Corp – Treasurer; with Mr. Costantino Cicchelli, CEO at Barba Skin Clinic, Mr. Gianluca Fontani, President of Man-Super!, Mr. Antonello Corrado, Partner of EXP Legal, Ms. Stefania Poli, COO of Omer USA, Mr. Fernando Rodriguez, Executive Vice President of A Custom Brokerage, and Tommaso Cardana, President of Tomson Hospitality, serving as Directors.
Italian Exports to the United States Continue to Grow
In 2023, Italian exports to the USA saw another significant increase (+5.4%) compared to 2022, setting a new historical record for the absolute value of our exports across the ocean, reaching $72.9 billion. The performance of Italian exports allowed Italy to maintain its position in the ranking of US trading partners.
Italy ranked as the 11th largest supplier to the United States, and also slightly increased its market share (2.3%) compared to 2.2% in 2022. The leading sectors of our exports were: Machinery, Fashion and Accessories, Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, Transportation, Agri-food and Beverages.
In this very positive context, Italian exports to Florida are growing at a much faster rate (+12% compared to 2022) compared to the US average, reaching a value of $3.89 billion.
Also in 2023, Italy recorded a trade surplus with the United States of a whopping $44 billion.
The IACCSE has recently signed a significant agreement with Navigo Toscana – www.navigotoscana.it (based in Viareggio), one of the largest network of nautical companies in Italy, and one of the most important in Europe.
The aim of this agreement is to facilitate the establishment in Florida of five Italian marine industry suppliers.
The Italian companies involved in this project are:
The project encompasses participation in various trade shows, support for the creation of USA branches for these companies, as well as establishing an operational desk for Consorzio Navigo within our Italian Lab space.
Throughout 2024, the Chamber will also create networking opportunities for Navigo Toscana companies. This will be achieved through a series of meetings with industry associations in South Florida, as well as with other Italian companies already active in the yacht sector in the State.
MSC Group has announced the development of its new headquarters in Downtown Miami. The MSC Group’s $100 million investment will bring together approximately 250 employees from MSC Cargo, MSC Cruises, and Explora Journeys under one roof in a state-of-the-art facility.
The 130,000 sqf. offices will support the ongoing growth of MSC in the North American market. According to the economic impact analysis conducted by Miami-Dade County, this latest development by the MSC Group will generate 668 direct and indirect jobs over the next three years. It will also provide $65.2 million annually in terms of recurring direct economic impact (gross regional product).
MSC is also building a next-generation cruise terminal at PortMiami, set to become the largest in North America once completed by the end of the year. The project has been commissioned to Fincantieri Infrastructures.
The new terminal will feature a four-story building capable of accommodating 36,000 passenger movements per day and will have sufficient docking space to serve three state-of-the-art ships simultaneously.
Cosmoprof Launches a New Trade Show in Miami
BolognaFiere will present the inaugural edition of Cosmoprof North America at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The event is scheduled from January 23 to 25, 2024, as a new spinoff of the largest cosmetic B2B trade show held annually in Bologna (Italy). While the event on the west coast, Cosmoprof North America, will remain in Las Vegas, the new edition on the east coast, Cosmoprof North America – Miami, will primarily focus on the Hispanic market.
Cosmoprof North America attracts beauty industry professionals from around the world and hosts presentations and product launches for all segments of the industry. In 2022, over 1,100 exhibitors participated in the Las Vegas edition, solidifying the region as a strategic market for business development. 32,000 retailers, buyers, distributors, brands, suppliers, and journalists gathered in Las Vegas to discover new product launches and explore new business opportunities.
From January 23 to 25, 2024, Cosmoprof North America – Miami will be a new destination for cosmetic industry professionals, aiming to replicate the success of other Cosmoprof events in Bologna, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Mumbai, and Las Vegas.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your steadfast support of the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast’s activities and mission.
Over the past three decades, the Chamber has played a pivotal role in fostering networking opportunities and cultivating a collaborative business environment within the Italian community in the US Southeast.
Throughout this period, we have struggled to keep unchanged our membership fees.
However, due to the substantial rise in operational costs, encompassing personnel, rent, insurance, and various other factors, the Board of Directors has made the decision to implement a small increase in membership fees, effective January 1st, 2024.
The new fees for 2024 are as follows:
Corporate Membership: from $500 to $600/year
Sustaining Membership: from $1,000 to $1,200/year
Premium Membership will remain unchanged at $2,500/year
We trust you understand that as a nonprofit organization managing diverse commitments and projects, the IACCSE must take this necessary step. Maintaining the same membership fees would be unfeasible given the significant economic changes since our establishment in 1991.
To ensure a smooth transition, the IACCSE Board is providing a grace period of 60 days until February 28 for members wishing to renew their membership in advanceat the old rates, even if their membership expires later in the year.
For instance, if your membership expires on June 1st 2024 and you renew before February 28th, 2024, the old rate will be applicable.
Nonetheless your 12 months membership will continue to be counted from June 1st 2024.
After February 28th the new rates will automatically apply.
We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support for the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast and hope to continue counting on your membership in the years ahead.
Meet US Roadshow in Italy -Speaking/Sponsorship Opportunities
The IACCSE is getting ready to organize the 4TH edition of “Meet US Roadshow in Italy” from March 18th to March 21st.
The initiative, which will be held in four important Italian cities: Napoli (March 18th) – Roma (March 19th) – Prato (March 20th) – Treviso (March 21st), is intended for those Italian companies interested in exploring new opportunities in the US market: attendees will be provided with detailed information on topics relating to strategic, commercial, administrative, financial, and fiscalmatters linked to the expansion of Italian businesses in the US market.
Organized in collaboration with Italian institutions, industry associations and local chambers of commerce, including Campania Region, FederLazio, Confindustria Toscana Nord, Venice Promex – C.C.I.A.A. Treviso, the “Meet US Roadshow in Italy” represents a great opportunity for US professional firms to connect with a qualified group of Italian entrepreneurs and managers, under the umbrella of the IACCSE, and for Italian SMEs to learn more about the most important strategic and operational aspects relating to expansion on a market such as the US Southeast.
If you are an expert with extensive knowledge of the U.S. market in fields such as law, accounting, financial services, logistics, and more, we invite you to become a speaker and sponsor for this unique opportunity sharing your expertise with our audience.
As a speaker, you will enjoy enhanced visibility through the chance to connect with 200+Italian companies, engaging in valuable discussions about the opportunities and challenges in the U.S. market.
The IACCSE is getting ready to organize the 4th edition of “Meet US Roadshow in Italy” from March18th to March 22nd, 2024. The initiative, which will be held in four important Italian cities – Padova, Prato, Roma, Napoli – is intended for those Italian companies interested in exploring new opportunities in the US market: attendees will be provided with detailed information on topics relating to strategic, commercial, administrative, financial, and fiscalmatters linked to the expansion of Italian businesses in the US market.
Organized in collaboration with Italian industry associations and local chambers of commerce, the “Meet US Roadshow in Italy” represents a great opportunity for US professional firms to connect with a qualified group of Italian entrepreneurs and managers, under the umbrella of the IACCSE, and for Italian SMEs to learn more about the most important strategic and operational aspects relating to expansion on a market such as the US Southeast.
If you are an expert with extensive knowledge of the U.S. market in fields such as law, accounting, financial services, logistics, and more, we invite you to become a speaker and sponsor for this unique opportunity sharing your expertise with our audience.
As a speaker, you will enjoy enhanced visibility through the chance to connect with 200+Italian companies, engaging in valuable discussions about the opportunities and challenges in the U.S. market.
A promotional week entirely dedicated to the Campania region will be held in Miami from November 28th to December 2nd, 2023.
The initiative, organized in collaboration with the Campania Regional Government, aims at promoting food and wine specialties from this southern Italian land, famous worldwide for its culinary tradition and flavors, including pizza, mozzarella, limoncello and many others.
The promotional week will feature several eno-gastronomic events around Miami.
Specifically:
4 in-store promotional tastings hosted by 4 different Gourmet Markets in Miami every day from 1pm to 7pm, at Casa Tua Cucina, Mercato Miami, Prima Classe Italian Market & Café and Origini Italian Market, where tasting of Campania specialties will be presented and served to all customers;
2happy-hours with amazing bites and wines from Campania awaiting all the IACCSE members and local food & wine lovers on Wednesday, November 29thfrom 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Mercato Miami, and on Friday, December 2ndfrom 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Prima Classe Italian Market & Café
2 meetings and dinners reserved to South Florida’s food & wine importers and distributors.
1 day of market exploration and business meetings for 11 Italian food and wine producers that will travel to Florida specifically for this reason.
Recently, the IACCSE reached the considerable number of 270 member companies, becoming one of the Italian Chambers of Commerce with the highest number of members in the United States.
Geographically, most members are located in the state of Florida 71%, followed by Georgia 11%, and the rest of the United States which counts for 8%. Another group composed of 27 members is located in Italy, thus representing 10%.
The two most represented industries with 36 members each are Food & Beverage and Furnishing, Interior Design & Lighting; thus, together they represent almost 27%. Other Industries such as Automotive, Packaging and Chemicals represent 12,3% followed by Legal Services with 10,8%; and Restaurant, Hotels & Hospitality Suppliers with 10%.
In terms of membership categories, 16 of our members are Premium, 57 Sustaining, 190 Corporate, and 7 Honorary.
If your company is interested in becoming a member of the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast, here is the link to the membership application: https://www.iaccse.com/members/become-a-member/
