The Italic Award is an initiative of the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACCSE) that honors the “Ambassadors of the Made in Italy” who distinguished themselves by promoting the Italian excellence in the American market influencing its lifestyle and culture.

Italic is the name given to this prestigious award presented by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast as emblem of the  Italian essence, craftsmanship and innovation. It has been designed by the renowned Italian designer Dodo Arslan whose eclectic creativity gave birth to unique pieces as well as serial productions, ranging from electronic devices to bronze fusions. His works have been exhibited in various museums around the world.

Every year the Italic Award is realized with different materials for the purpose of promoting the quality of Italian design companies and the work of their artisans. 

The Italic Awards from Past Editions

Bronze | created and crafted by Dodo Arslan  (2016)   

The 2016 Award was conceived and designed by Dodo Arslan and brought to life under his close supervision at De Andreis artistic foundry in Milan, Italy, chosen for the creation of these unique pieces and celebrated for its collaborations with numerous acclaimed artists, including the internationally renowned sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro.

The 2016 Recepients of the Italic Award, celebrated at the Alfred Dupont Building, were:

• Dario Sanidero, President and CEO, Snaidero USA
• Andrea Buccellati, President and Creative Director, Buccellati

Learn about the production process here.

White marble | Crafted by Citco (2018)

The 2018 Award was crafted by CITCO using exquisite Carrara marble, resulting in a piece that perfectly reflects elegance, sophistication, and the excellence of Italian design. CITCO, one of the finest marble expert in italy, collaborates with prestigious clients such as Zaha Hadid Architects, Ron Arad and Norman Foster.

The 2018 Recepients of the Italic Award, celebrated in the Penthouse at Riverside Wharf, were:

• Peter Vittori, Managing Director Florida, Caribbean and Latin American Sales, American Airlines
• Ugo Colombo, Founder, CMC Group

Learn about the production process here.

Acrylic Glass | Crafted by Giovanni Scacchi, Metea (2021)

The 2021 Award has been realized in collaboration with Metea, who has developed the technique and explored the versatility and potential of acrylic glass for international Architects and brands such as Cappellini, Louis Vuitton and Zaha Hadid Architects.

The 2021 Recepients of the Italic Award, celebrated at PortMiami – Carnival Cruise Terminal D, were:

• Richard Sasso, Chairman, MSC Cruises USA
• Daniel Fanara, Senior Vice-President Services and New Shipbuilding, Fincantieri

Learn about the production process here.

The Creative Mind Behind the Italic Award

Dodo Arslan is an Italo-Armenian Art Designer, recognized by Taschen among the 90 leading figures of contemporary design, featured in the volume Design Now.

Alongside his work as a light, product, and graphic designer, for over twenty-five years Arslan has developed an intense formal and material research within the field of ArtDesign.

With an international career spanning Europe, the United States, and South America, Arslan has given form to profound values — identity, excellence, memory, and culture — through trophies and sculptures that celebrate outstanding individuals and institutions.

He is the creator of the Italic Award trophy, a recognition conferred upon distinguished Italian personalities in America by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce (IACCSE). Commissioned by the Centenary Foundation (1873) of the Banca Svizzera Italiana, he conceived the Incontro trophy, awarded to Italian and Swiss personalities who have built cultural bridges between Italy and Switzerland. On the occasion of the Centenary of the Italian Air Force, he sculpted Níkē, a work expressing the glory of achievement and triumph, inspired by the celebrated “Goddess of Victory.”

His creations were exhibited in Milan at the Welltech Award in the National Museum of Science and Technology, at the Inside Art event at the Arnaldo Pomodoro Foundation and in various museums and events all over the world. Moreover, two of his pieces are displayed in the permanent collection of the Campari Design Gallery. The Triennale Museum dedicated him “Le Attrazioni della Materia” personal exhibition in 2009.

His creations, auctioned by Pierre Bergé & Associés in Brussels, have entered the international circuit of collectible Art Design.

Arslan has been awarded the Archiproducts Design Award, the ADI Index 2022 and 2023 selections, the Young&Design prize, as well as the Mini Design Award, the Pirelli Pzero Logo competition and the Art Directors Club.

He has conducted courses, workshops and lectures in design faculties in Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Egypt, Macedonia, USA and Sweden.

Among the many collaborations, Arslan has engaged in projects for the Banca Svizzera Italiana, Bimota, Campari, CITCO, Emera, Fonderia Artistica Battaglia, Fonderia Artistica DeAndreis, Hands on Design, Italy-America Chamber of Commerce, Jacuzzi, Mandelli 1953, Pirelli PZero, Riva1920, Taurini, Terzani, ToBeUS, UNIQ- Ǝ !, UPGroup and Venini.

Prior to founding the Dodo Arslan Studio, he gained experience at Studio & Partners (N. Bewick, M. De Lucchi, T. Fritze, E. Torri) for Deutsche Post, British American Tobacco and Zumtobel Staff achieving the Design Plus award and in the Continuum studio (Milan-Boston-Seoul) for Motorola, Hewlett Packard, Elan, Voelkl and Samsung, winning the Good Design Award and the KIDA Grand Prize.

WHEN

Saturday–  December 12, 2026

WHERE  

JW Marriott Marquis (Downtown Miami)
255 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL, 33131

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE

EVENT PRESENTATION

THE EVENT

The Italic Award Gala is a celebration of Italian excellence and the enduring relationship between Italy and the United States.

Hosted by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast in Miami, this special edition of the Gala will also commemorate the Chamber’s 35th Anniversary, bringing together prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs, institutions, and community stakeholders for an evening of recognition, networking, and celebration.

Featuring the presentation of the prestigious Italic Award, distinguished speakers, and an authentic Italian hospitality experience, the Gala offers sponsors a unique opportunity to engage with an influential audience while aligning their brand with excellence and international business leadership.

Strategically scheduled just days before Miami welcomes world leaders and international delegations for the G20 Summit, the Gala takes place at a moment when global attention is focused on the region, offering sponsors an exceptional platform to enhance their presence and connect with a highly influential audience.

The IACCSE proudly honors two internationally recognized business leaders with the 2026 Italic Award:

Andrea Illy, Chairman of Illycaffe’

Veronica Squinzi, CEO of Mapei Group

EVENT DETAILS

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Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your brand.

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VENUE

The Italic Award Gala for the 35th Anniversary Celebration of the Italy America Chamber of Commerce Southeast will be held at the elegant and prestigious JW Marriott Marquis in the heart of downtown.

FIND OUT MORE

ITALIC AWARD

Learn about the award.

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ITALIC AWARD RECIPIENTS

Find out more about the recipients of the 2026 Italic Award by clicking on the button below.

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DINNER EXPERIENCE

Italian-style dinner in collaboration with Michelin-starred
Chef and signature wine pairings.

COMING SOON

SILENT AUCTION

Register for our silent auction and bid on a broad selection of prices.

CONTACT US

Watch here the highlights from the Italic Award Gala for 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Italy America Chamber of Commerce Southeast in 2021:

TALKS AGENDA

DECEMBER 2 – 4 | ISTITUTO MARANGONI MIAMI

EACH DAY:

• 4:00PM-6PM | BUSINESS NETWORKING IN THE EXPO AREA
• 6:00PM-7:15PM | THE TALKS
• 7:15PM-9:00PM | NETWORKING COCKTAIL

DAY 1 – TUESDAY DECEMBER 2^nd

6:00PM | WELCOME REMARKS  

Claudio Da Soller Executive Vice-President, Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast and GM, Pininfarina of America

6:05PM | GREETINGS  

Hon. Michele Mistò, Consul General, Consulate of Italy in Miami

6:10 PM | GREETINGS  

Hakan Baykam, President and CEO, Istituto Marangoni Miami

6:15 PM | PRESENTATION: “ITALIAN FURNITURE IN AMERICA: MARKET DYNAMICS and TRENDS”

Marco Verna, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Agency – Miami office

6:25 PM | PRESENTATION: “INSIDE SALONE DEL MOBILE MILANO 2026, WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE WORLD’S LEADING DESIGN FAIR”

Giulia Halabi, Head of Special Projects and Public Relations, Salone del Mobile di Milano

6:45 PM | PANEL: THE MIAMI-ITALY CREATIVE CONNECTION: MUTUAL INFLUENCES SHAPING CONTEMPORARY DESIGN

A conversation with Pat Bosch, Design Director, Principal, Perkins & Will – Steven Burgos, Director of Design, Interiors, HOK – Ivonne Ronderos, Principal, DKOR Interiors – moderated byTracey Fillmore, President, American Society of Interior Designers, Florida South

DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3^TH

6:00PM | PANEL: “DESIGNING DIMENSIONS OF DESIRE. HOW LUXURY BRANDS ARE TRANSFORMING RESIDENTIAL LIVING”

Presented by Istituto Marangoni Miami

A conversation with Randi Rodriguez, Design Director, 1508 London – Tatiana C. Mardare Founding Partner and Strategy Manager, UOA-W – Deborah Wecselman, Founder, Wecselman Design – moderated by Thelma Lazo-Flores, Dean of Interior Design, Istituto Marangoni Miami

6:30PM | PANEL: “THE BRANDED RESIDENCE EXPERIENCE THROUGH NEXT-GEN DESIGN TOOLS” 

Geri Weiner, Co-founder and COO, ImaageQ andCEOof GDW Design Studio –Israel Kreps, Chief Executive Officer, Kreps PR & Marketing – Ana Bozovic, Founder & CEO, Ana Analytics – Mikael Hamaoui, Developer, Pagani Residences – moderated byJessica Nicole Mahoney, CEO and Co-founder, ImaageQ

7:00PM | PRESENTATION: “PIEMONTE (ITALY): WHERE ART, DESIGN AND INNOVATION SHAPE EXCELLENCE”

Annalisa Gamba, Division Manager Luxury, Piemonte Agency for Investment and Export

DAY 3 – THURSDAY DECEMBER 4^TH

6:00PM | PANEL: “DRIVING DEMAND: HOW ITALIAN DESIGN POWERHOUSES MANTAIN THEIR MARKET LEADERSHIP”

A conversation with Francesco Farina, CEO, B&B Italia USA – Thais Fontenelle, Showroom Director, Minotti Miami – moderated by Marisela Perdomo, Membership Director, American Society of Interior Designers, Florida South

6:25 PM | PANEL: “NEW CONCEPTS IN HOSPITALITY, RETAIL AND LIFESTYLE INTERIORS”

A conversation with Eloisa Bustos, Director of Design, Virgin Hotels Collection – Alessio Scalabrini, Head of interior Design, Flow – Elizabeth Camargo, Principal, EC Architecture + Design – Jacqueline Gonzalez Touzet, Principal, Touzet Studio – moderated by Vanessa Smith Torres, President, American Institute of Architects, Miami

6:50PM | PRESENTATION: “DESIGNING THE FUTURE: LEVERAGING AI TO REIMAGINE THE INTERIOR DESIGN PROCESS”

Jessica Nicole Mahoney, CEO and Co-founder, ImaageQ – Geri Weiner, Co-founder & COO, ImaageQ – Fernando Guzman, Software Design Architect, ImaageQ

An overview of the dishes presented, each showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of Italian culinary art in dialogue with contemporary design.

An overview of the dishes presented, each showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of Italian culinary art in dialogue with contemporary design.

Concept of the event

Food Design Night celebrates the dialogue between Italian design and culinary creativity, showcasing how aesthetics, innovation, and cultural heritage merge in the Italian lifestyle.

The experience unfolds across three iconic Italian design showrooms — Poltrona Frau, Molteni&C, and B&B Italia — located within walking distance of one another.

In each showroom, one of the three partner restaurants — Felice Restaurant, Luca Osteria, and Da Angelino — will present to the jury a special dish created for the occasion: a culinary interpretation inspired by Italian creativity, culture, and contemporary design.

The jury

The jury, appointed to taste and select the best creation, includes professionals representing distinguished architecture and design firms:

• Stefano Cerrato  Director, Italian Cultural Institute of Miami
• Mikael Hamaoui, Principal, Riviera Horizons  
• Sandra Diaz-Velasco R.A. Principal Architect, Eolo A&I Design
• Samuele Sordi, Chief Architect, Pininfarina of America
• Dawn Gunter, Principal and Managing Director, Gensler’s Miami office 
• Marisela Perdomo, membership director, ASID  
• Midori Shim, Project Manager – ID , Gresham Smith

Each creation will be evaluated by the judges according to their personal preferences, with attention to:

• Taste
• Presentation & aesthetics
• Overall concept – the idea and inspiration behind the dish

The Program

6:00 PM – Molteni&C,( 4100 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137)

Check-in opens

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Food Design Night

Guest will move through the showrooms to experience the culinary creations paired with Italian wines – there is no predetermined order, guests are free to visit showrooms as their wish

7:45 PM – B&B Italia, 4141 NE 2nd Ave, Ste 114/115, Miami, FL 33137

Food Design Night Award Presentation
Recognition of the winning chef and greetings by the Consul General of Italy in Miami.

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