NERO Lifestyle at the NIAF Gala in Milan: Celebrating the Bonds Between Italy and the United States
Milan hosted an evening of exceptional prestige dedicated to strengthening the ties between Italy and the United States during the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Gala, one of the most authoritative events dedicated to the Italian-American community and transatlantic relations. The 2026 edition carried a particularly symbolic significance, celebrating three major milestones: the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic, the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, and 165 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Making the evening even more meaningful was the participation of the Region of Lombardy as the Guest Region of Honor.
The event brought together representatives from institutions, business, diplomacy, culture, and sport, reaffirming NIAF's role as a key reference point for promoting economic, cultural, and social relations between the two sides of the Atlantic. Among the distinguished guests were Senate Vice President Licia Ronzulli, Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Giorgio Mulè, former Italian Ambassadors to the United States Armando Varricchio and Giovanni Castellaneta, Lombardy's Undersecretary for International and European Relations Raffaele Cattaneo, along with representatives of the U.S. Consulate and the Italian Ministry of Culture.
The evening opened with performances of the Italian and American national anthems by the Fanfara dei Bersaglieri di Lonate Pozzolo and Tasting Opera, a project celebrating two UNESCO-recognized Italian excellences: Bel Canto and Italian culinary tradition. Guests were also presented with a video message from Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, who highlighted the fundamental role of the Italian-American community in building lasting relationships between the two nations.
During the Gala, the prestigious NIAF Italia Special Achievement Awards were presented to outstanding figures from the worlds of business, institutions, sports, and culture. Honorees included Giovanni Andrea Toselli, Chairman and CEO of PwC Italy, Giovanni Bozzetti, President of Fondazione Fiera Milano, Ezio Simonelli, President of Lega Serie A, and Academy Award-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore, who announced his new film project dedicated to Amedeo Peter Giannini, founder of Bank of America and a prominent figure in Italian-American history. The evening also marked an important step forward in international philanthropy with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between NIAF and Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, an agreement aimed at fostering new charitable initiatives and shared projects between Europe and the United States.
The culinary experience also celebrated the dialogue between the two cultures through a gastronomic journey inspired by Italian tradition and its historic ties with the American continent, culminating in a dessert created by Iginio Massari Alta Pasticceria.
One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was dedicated to solidarity. NIAF presented a €100,000 donation to ANCI, intended to support communities in Southern Italy affected by Cyclone Harry, reaffirming the foundation's longstanding commitment to assisting Italian territories in times of need.
The evening concluded with a moving performance of "Nessun Dorma" by Giacomo Puccini, jointly performed by the Fanfara dei Bersaglieri and Tasting Opera, a symbolic finale celebrating Italy's cultural heritage and the enduring value of international relationships.
As an event partner, NERO Lifestyle welcomed more than 300 guests with a welcome aperitif, serving its prestigious Champagne Blanc de Blancs and Rosé de Damas. At the end of the evening, personalized gift bags were distributed containing a voucher worth €200 to be redeemed at the exclusive properties within the collection, a Primerent voucher for luxury car rentals at a special rate, a gift card valid for a stay at Lucia Magnani Health Clinic, a branded cadeaux and promotional materials dedicated to showcasing the NERO Lifestyle brand and its partners.