Italian Innovation & Alumni Gathering in New York

​The event is part of the activities carried out by Regione Lombardia in its capacity as Region of Honour of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) in 2026. This recognition represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen ties between Lombardia and the Italian American community, promote Lombard and Italian excellence in the United States, and develop new networks of transatlantic collaboration.

​The April 23rd Gathering is situated, more specifically, within the journey leading to the two key autumn 2026 appointments in Washington, D.C., including the 5th THF US Stakeholders' Meeting on October 16th, 2026, and the NIAF Gala on October 17th, 2026.

​The New York meeting serves as a fundamental preparatory milestone: an opportunity to activate, strengthen, and map the networks of relationships that will play a central role in the major autumn events. The event will bring together representatives of the leading Italian university Alumni associations based in New York and the most innovative organisations connected to the Italian world in the area, with the aim of fostering moments of mutual acquaintance among the participating organisations, in support of the development of future collaborations.

​Agenda at a Glance
3:30 pm – 3:45 pm | Welcoming Remarks Giuseppe Pastorelli, Consul General of Italy in New York.

​3:45 pm – 4:15 pm | Regione Lombardia's 2026 Agenda in the United States Hon. Raffaele Cattaneo, Undersecretary for International and European Relations, Lombardy Region.

​4:15 pm – 5:00 pm | NYC Ecosystem Spotlight: Italian Academics, University Alumni Associations, and Key Innovation Organizations A dedicated session to map and showcase Italian excellence in New York, activating the networks and organizations.

​5:00 pm – 5:10 pm | Closing Remarks

​5:10 pm – 5:30 pm | Open Networking Informal networking session to consolidate relations between the Lombardy delegation and leaders of the local ecosystem.