Category: News from the Chamber

IACC – Miami > News from the Chamber

IACCSE Hosts High-Level Business Luncheon with Florida Cabinet Officials

On Friday, May 16th, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast, in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency and the Consul General of Italy in Miami, successfully hosted a Business Luncheon featuring two key figures from Florida’s executive leadership: Jared W. Perdue, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, and J. Alex Kelly, Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce.

The event brought together almost 100 participants, including representatives from Italian infrastructure, logistic, and construction companies and Florida-based businesses with strong commercial ties to Italy. The luncheon served as a high-level platform to examine Florida’s infrastructure priorities, economic expansion, and the growing opportunities for trade collaboration between the state and Italy.

The program opened with welcoming remarks by the Consul General of Italy in Miami, Michele Mistò, whose leadership and support were instrumental in the success of the event.

A central focus of the discussion was Florida’s strategic positioning as a logistics gateway between Europe and the Americas, along with the pressing infrastructure investments required to support the state’s rapid population and business growth.

Among the distinguished attendees were Vincenzo Ercole, representative of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic advisor to ANCE (Italian National Association of Construction Companies), as well as executives from leading Italian enterprises active in the Florida market.

The luncheon followed Florida’s successful economic mission to Italy in November 2024, led by Governor Ron DeSantis and joined by IACCSE President Graziano Sbroggiò and Executive Director Nevio Boccanera, both of whom were present at the event and continue to play a vital role in advancing bilateral relations.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our Gold Sponsors: Clevertech, Neo Construction, and AAR; and our Silver Sponsors: Mapei and Desimone, whose generous support made this initiative possible.

This event reaffirmed IACCSE’s commitment to fostering dialogue, partnerships, and new business opportunities between Italy and the State of Florida.

IACC – Miami > News from the Chamber

Italian Exports to the USA Grew by Almost 18% in 2024

According to data processed by the Italian Trade Agency in New York, in 2024, trade between the United States and Italy reached over 108 billion dollars.

In 2024, Italian exports to the United States grew by 17.86%. Italy ranked 11th globally and 3rd in Europe, behind only Germany and Ireland, as a supplier to the United States. The Italian market share stands at 2.3%, slightly lower than the 2.4% recorded in 2023.

By December 2024, Italian exports to the United States surpassed 76 billion dollars in value, while imports of U.S. products into Italy reached 32 billion dollars. The trade balance is therefore strongly positive for Italy, with a surplus of around 44 billion dollars.

The most relevant sectors in Italian exports include the mechanical sector, which reached nearly 18 billion dollars, with a 1.2% increase compared to the previous year. This is followed by the chemical and pharmaceutical sector, valued at 13 billion dollars, with a significant growth of 31.4% compared to the previous year.

The fashion and accessories sector reached 11 billion dollars but recorded a slight decline of 8% compared to 2023. The agri-food and beverage sector also showed positive performance, with a value of over 8 billion dollars, marking an important growth of 17.1%. The group of top five export sectors is completed by the transport equipment sector, which recorded a total value of about 7 billion dollars, declining by 14% compared to 2023.

IACC – Miami > News from the Chamber

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.

IACC – Miami > News from the Chamber

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.

IACC – Miami > News from the Chamber

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.

IACC – Miami > News from the Chamber

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.

IACC – Miami > News from the Chamber

The Future of Serie A in North America: Growth, Passion & Made in Italy

The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast, in partnership with Lega Serie A , will host the first official Serie A event in Miami, an exclusive workshop and networking cocktail dedicated to exploring the Italian top soccer league marketing strategies in North America and the partnership opportunities it presents for brands.

The event will feature as keynote speakers Andy Mitchell CEO & Managing Director of Lega Serie A USA and Alessandro Gherardi, Partnerships Manager of Lega Serie A USA.

The event will be held at the Italian Cultural Institute (209 Altara Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146) on Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 5.30 to 7.00 pm and its open only to IACCSE members and selected guests.

Why Attend?

This is a unique opportunity for IACCSE members to:

  • Learn about Serie A’s expansion and marketing strategies in North America
  • Discover partnership opportunities with one of the top soccer leagues in the world, with millions of followers in the US.
  • Connect with executives of companies that support sports.

Registration for Members and Special Guests only

Members (including 1 guest): Free of charge (registration required for both tickets).

Members will receive the link to register via e-mail.

For inquiries contact info@iacc-miami.com

IACC – Miami > Events Calendartitle_li=News from the Chamber

Business Luncheon on Infrastructure and Logistics Development in Florida

On May 16, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Trade Agency, will host an exclusive luncheon on Florida’s infrastructure and logistics development. The event is open to both members and non-members of the Chamber who have a particular interest in this critical sector.

Keynote Speakers:

The event will feature Jared W. Perdue, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, and J. Alex Kelly, Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce.

  • Secretary Perdue will provide insights into “The impact on Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative”.

The Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative is a $4 billion investment by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to expedite critical improvements on state-owned roadways. This initiative aims to address congestion, enhance safety, ensure the resiliency of the transportation network, and boost Florida’s supply chain and economic growth. Given Florida’s rapid population growth, with projections of 1,000 new residents daily over the next 30 years, these improvements are essential to meet the demands of current and future residents and visitors.

  • Secretary Kelly will discuss “Florida Trade and Logistics strategic development plan: Opportunities of cooperation with Italy”.

This is a unique opportunity to connect directly with State of Florida leadership, network with industry professional, learn about Florida’s new investment programs, and explore the business opportunities that have emerged following the trade mission to Italy led by Governor Ron DeSantis in November 2024.

Registration & Sponsorship:

Seats are limited, and registration for single tickets is available HERE

Members $145

Non-Member $220

For sponsorship please contact trade@iacc-miami.com.

IACC – Miami > News from the Chamber

IACCSE Unveils its 2025 Calendar of Events

The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACCSE) is excited to announce its new program of activities and events for 2025 in Miami and Atlanta, designed to enhance members’ knowledge, provide new members with valuable opportunities to present their businesses to a broader network, strengthen business relationships and advance international trade.

The 2025 calendar features a diverse range of events, including webinars, business breakfasts, European chamber afterwork event and annual success events such as: Italian Business Community night, the Best of Italian Design and the Authentic Italian Food & Wine Festival.

From engaging panel discussions with industry leaders to sector-specific events showcasing authentic Italian excellence, the IACCSE continues to set the standard for distinction in international business collaboration.

Our 2025 Calendar of Events is now available.

DOWNLOAD THE CALENDAR HERE

We look forward to welcoming our members, partners, and guests to another year of meaningful connections. 

For more information about our events or sponsorship opportunities, contact us directly at info@iacc-miami.com.

IACC – Miami > News from the Chamber

Celebrating 2024 Milestones: A Year of Growth for the IACCSE

As we approach the holiday season, we are excited to celebrate several significant milestones reached by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACCSE) in 2024.

The IACCSE is proud to announce that we now count 300 members, further solidifying our position as one of the strongest bi-national chambers of commerce in the U.S. Southeast. This achievement highlights the tremendous growth of our community and emphasizes the vital role that Italian businesses play in the economic success of the region. With over 350 subsidiaries and 17,000 jobs created across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, Italian companies continue to drive innovation and create new opportunities.

We would also like to highlight the successful events we organized throughout 2024, which brought together hundreds of participants. Notable events included the “Meet US Roadshow in Italy” (March), “The Authentic Italian Food & Wine Festival” (May), the  “Italian Business Community Night” (October), and “The Best of Italian Design” (December). In November we had also the pleasure of collaborating in the organization of a successful State of Florida business development mission in Italy (November).

This has undoubtedly been an intense year, filled with new initiatives not only in Miami but also in Atlanta, where the IACCSE Georgia Chapter has been very active.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of our valued members for your unwavering support and contributions, which have made these milestones possible.

As we look ahead to another year of collaboration and growth, we wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with health, happiness, and prosperity.

Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. We look forward to achieving even greater success together in 2025!

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