Certain events define calendars around the world, like Labor Day in the U.S. and the Ambrosetti Forum in Italy. Both occur in September, and in 2024, the Italian American community experienced a historic occasion: The European House – Ambrosetti (TEHA) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its flagship annual event, Scenario, held at the iconic Villa d’Este on Lake Como.
This milestone provided a unique opportunity to further strengthen the deep cultural and diplomatic ties between Italy and Italian Americans. TEHA’s Viaggi Strategici (Strategic Business Tours) division crafted an exclusive, weeklong itinerary of tours and meetings, specifically designed for board members of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and a select group of DiLella Fellows, who represent emerging young leaders in the Italian American community.
“The Ambrosetti Forum is Italy’s most important business conference that brings together political, financial and commerce leaders from around the world. As such, it is the ideal venue to introduce successful young Italian Americans to the reality of today’s Italy which is to say a G7 country that is a leader in many sectors of the global economy. The NIAF DiLella Fellows will return to the United States with a much better understanding of the Italian business and political environment and, hence, in a much better position to make a positive contribution to the leadership of the Italian American Community,” said NIAF Chairman Robert E. Carlucci.
A Landmark Event in Cernobbio
The journey began on the picturesque shores of Lake Como, where two NIAF groups participated in the Ambrosetti Forum: one attending the main conference and the other involved in a parallel forum dedicated to young, talented leaders. Esteemed speakers such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, political figure Enrico Letta, journalist Federico Rampini, and CERN Director-General Fabiola Gianotti addressed the attendees.
“It was a truly amazing experience,” one DiLella Fellow remarked, underscoring the significance of this opportunity. The participants, many of whom are emerging leaders within the Italian American community, engaged in exclusive and dynamic discussions on topics ranging from geopolitics and sustainability to artificial intelligence and economic strategy.
Over the course of three days, attendees immersed themselves not only in the serene blue-green waters of Lake Como but also in pressing global, European, and Italian issues. TEHA’s leadership in facilitating such high-level conversations is well-known. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s ‘Global Go to Think Tanks Report,’ the think tank is ranked as Italy’s top private think tank and fourth in the European Union.
A Business, Cultural and Diplomatic Tour Across Italy
Just like the Frecce Tricolore leaving their mark in the sky above Villa d’Este, the NIAF group continued their journey after Cernobbio, visiting Italian excellences in Bologna, Florence, and Rome. The tour offered participants an exclusive chance to explore distinctive Italian realities, such as a private visit in Pagani Automobili and some of Italy’s most prestigious institutions, including the Italian Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies and Senate in the capital.
“NIAF is committed to strengthening U.S.-Italy relations,” the organization affirmed on its official Instagram page. This year’s initiative was made possible by TEHA’s Strategic Travel Division, which designed a personalized program aimed at exploring the economic and political Italian ecosystem.
Strengthening Ties at the U.S. Embassy in Rome
One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the U.S. Embassy in Rome, where the DiLella Fellows were warmly welcomed by U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino, Jack Markell. “It was a pleasure to welcome the first group of DiLella Fellows from the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) to the embassy and learn about their work in strengthening the bonds of friendship between the United States and Italy,” Ambassador Markell stated.
The NIAF DiLella Fellowship, designed for young Italian Americans and enthusiasts of Italian culture, offers participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Italy’s economic and political landscape. Through meetings with government officials, business leaders, and entrepreneurs, participants gain valuable insights into Italy’s future directions.
As Daniel DiLella, program donor and NIAF board member, said: “The idea for the NIAF DiLella Fellows is to annually gather a cadre of Italian American rising stars in various sectors of the business and political world and to provide them with an immersive experience at the Ambrosetti Conference and in Rome. This ensures they return with both a comprehensive appreciation for the way Italy functions and with a better understanding of how they can make an impact on the future success of the National Italian American Foundation.”
A Vision for the Future
The collaboration between TEHA and NIAF reflects a shared vision: building bridges between Italy and its global diaspora, particularly in the United States. These strategic business tours offer Italian Americans and Italian communities around the world a unique opportunity to connect with their heritage while fostering new partnerships in economics, culture, and diplomacy.
But this is just the beginning.
TEHA’s Viaggi Strategici division is already working on future business tours. The next destination is Saudi Arabia in February 2025 for the Valore Acqua Community. The goal of this tour is to inspire and connect Italian C-level executives from the water and construction industries with Saudi authorities and institutions to explore the theme of “Sustainable Water and Smart Cities.”
For more information on strategic tours and future opportunities, reach out to: viaggi.strategici@ambrosetti.eu.
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