Past Events

June 7, 2010: Bocce Tournament

South Barrington’s Pinstripes Bar was full of excitement and friendly competition on Monday, June 7th when the IACC took over the Bocce Courts for their tournament and networking event for members, associates, and friends.

Over 100 players were grouped into Company Teams for a sudden death tournament that lasted the entire evening. Some teams casually played for fun, while others teams had their eye on the prize! When not playing, participants enjoyed delicious appetizers, drinks, and Italian music, while they mingled both inside and on the outdoor patio.

The tournament ended around 10pm when Team P (The Pasta Shoppe) and Team C (Mazzini Verde Club) played each other in the final round. It was a close match, but Team P clinched the victory and defeated their friends for First Place; yet, both First and Second Place teams brought home prizes of fine Italian wine. Thanks to all who participated in this event and congratulations to the winners!

1st Place - Team P: The Pasta Shoppe

Dino Romanucci
Bernie Ghilarducci
Phil Ferrari
Joe Mazzoni

2nd Place – Team C: Mazzini Verde Club

John Mirabellli
Franco De Luca
Vincent Dell’Orfanello
Joe Capriati

Bocce Tournament Registration & Check-in / Delicious appetizers on the Buffet Table

Mike Francone (AmCheck) announcing the rules of the game while all attentively listen!

Game time / 1st & 2nd place teams pose with the IACC's Melissa Passalacqua

April 6, 2010: Dinner with Barilla America President

On Tuesday, April 6th, 100 members and associates of the IACC were able to eat, drink, and meet with Kirk Trofholz, President of Barilla America, at a networking cocktail and dinner event for all industry sectors held at Phil Stefani’s 437 Rush Steakhouse.

After guests enjoyed the cocktail reception and delicious five-course dinner, Mr. Trofholz gave his presentation entitled, "Building a Business the Old Fashion Way". He spoke about the history of Barilla America, from the opening of the headquarters here in Bannockburn, IL in 1996 to the marketing adaptations that were made in order to effectively reach the U.S. market.

Young professionals networking at Phil Stefani's

Business Professionals & IACC members enjoy the Cocktail Networking Reception

Executive Director Fulvio Calcinardi with Linda and Tony Parato (Assurance Agency)

(Left) Kirk Trofholz accepting a gift from Former IACC President Charles Bernardini

(Right) Keynote Speaker Kirk Trofholz giving Barilla America Presentation to IACC Members

March 8-14, 2010: The "Taste of Lombardy" Project

During the week of March 8-14, Chicagoans were able to take an edible tour of Italy’s Lombardy region during numerous complimentary food and wine samplings throughout the city and suburbs for a week-long event called the “Taste of Lombardy.”

“Due to the successful outcome, opportunities are arising for similar trade initiatives again with Lombardy, as well as with other Italian regions for this year,” stated Fulvio Calcinardi, Executive Director of IACC. The mission was aimed to promote Italy’s Lombardy Region and the fine products from there, as well as to inform Chicagoans about where these products are available for purchase locally. The “Taste of Lombardy” commenced with an invitation-only Opening Cocktail and Dinner for journalists, media and VIP personnel on Monday, March 8 at Tocco Restaurant, where a special Lombardian menu was served as representatives from Milan formally introduced the project.

For the remainder of the week, various cheeses, wines, sweets and many other products were distributed to the public during the events, along with materials informing the public on the region of Lombardy’s authentic products and recipes. Grocery stores and malls that participated included: Angelo Caputo's Fresh Markets, Fox and Obel, Pastoral, Whole Foods, as well as Water Tower Place and The Shops at Northbridge Mall. The two major Chicagoland importers involved were Isola Imports, Inc. and Rubinelli-Dell’Alpe, Inc., who provided the food products for the events. In addition, restaurants Quartino and Tocco offered special menus that featured famous dishes and wines from Lombardy.

This was the first project of its kind, completed by the Italian Government, Buonitalia, the Region of Lombardy, Union-camere Lombardia (an association representing the 12 Economic Chambers of the Lombardy Region), with the local help of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce and Promos-Milano, a special agency of the Chamber of Commerce of Milan and Retecamere.

Opening Night Dinner at Tocco Restaurant

Food Tastings at Whole Foods

Robert Rubinelli (Dell'Alpe) at Angelo Caputo's Fresh Markets Tasting

January 28, 2010: United Airlines Presentation & Board of Directors Induction Ceremony

The first networking event of the New Year featured both a presentation of the new United Airlines flight to Rome, as well as the induction and welcoming of the 2010 Board of Directors to the IACC on Thursday, January 28th at Quartino Restaurant.

The evening began with a reception of drinks and hors’doeuvres of Italian specialties, followed by a welcome speech by the Consul General of Italy in Chicago, Alessandro Motta, the swearing-in of the newly elected Board of Directors (see list below), and ended with a presentation by United Airlines Managing Director Tim Simonds regarding United’s decision to begin a new direct flight from Chicago to Rome.

Officers
Robert Allegrini, President - Hilton Hotels
Mauro Galli, 1st Vice President - TourCrafters
Alfredo Capitanini, 2nd Vice President - Italian Village Restaurants
Chris Augustine, 3rd Vice President - R.J. Augustine & Ass.
Joseph Turano, 4th Vice President - Turano Baking Co.
Mike Francone, Treasurer - AmCheck
Antonio Romanucci, Legal Advisor - Romanucci & Blandin
Phil Corrado, Secretary - Accountix

Directors
Wayne Bosch - Barilla America
Mary Burns - Loyola University
Dominic DiFrisco - Edelman
Daniel Gibbons - City of Chicago
Vince Gerasole - CBS2
Kathleen Houlihan - Dominican University
Michael Murnane - Consultant
John Nitti - Isola Imports
Chris Sala - State of Illinois, Dept. of Comm. Economic Opportunities
John Sciaccotta - Shefsky & Froelich
Carl Scianna - Borealis Lighting
Antonio Temporini - Alitalia
Peter Volpe - Austin Bank of Chicago
Paula Waters - Edelman Company