Sept. 15–22 | 2025

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Italian Excellence,
Experienced in Atlanta
The Made in Italy Expo brings Italy’s leading industries, ideas, and craftsmanship to the American South.

The Made in Italy Expo is a platform for connection—between Italy and the Southeastern United States, between business and culture, between tradition and innovation.

For one week this September, Atlanta will host a landmark event showcasing Italian craftsmanship, design, food, and technology.

The Expo is produced by the Italia America Reputation Lab (IARL) in partnership with the Italy America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACCSE), Georgia Chapter. Together, we’re building new opportunities for Italian industries, cultural leaders, and global partners.

Where Italy Meets the Southeast

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Meet the Team

The Expo is guided by a team of leaders with expertise across diplomacy, cultural programming, trade, and strategic partnerships. Their shared goal: to strengthen Italy’s presence in the Southeastern United States and create space for meaningful collaboration.
Program Director

Nicola Vidali

Seasoned marketing and communications expert with 35+ years of experience. Managed 500+ international projects for prestigious clients operating both in the public and private sectors. Atlanta-based since 1993, Nicola has developed programs and communication campaigns across diverse industries and cultural contexts. His portfolio includes work for the United Nations, Nike, Lufthansa, The Weather Channel, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and the Italian Trade Agency. As of March 2024, Nicola also holds the position of Managing Director for the Italy America Chamber of Commerce Southeast, Georgia Chapter.

Fashion Director

Cassandra Wilson

Cassandra is one of the country’s most renowned fashion show producers with over 30 years of experience leading high-profile runway shows and brand activation for luxury fashion houses and upscale to moderate retail stores. Cassandra has been on the frontline and a lead in the foreground for many prestigious design houses such as: Hubert De Givenchy, Jacqueline De Ribes, Caroline Roehm, Oscar de la Renta, Isaac Mizarahi, Vera Wang, Donna Karan and Eric Javitz. Adept at turning visionary ideas into unforgettable live experiences is her driving force.
Executive Ambassador

Pierluca Maffey

Pierluca is an accomplished architect with over 20 years of international experience, delivering creative and pragmatic design solutions across a broad spectrum of projects—from iconic skyscrapers to single-family residences. His work spans multiple sectors, including hospitality, office, retail, exhibition, and residential, with projects completed across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and both North and South America. Known for his ability to clearly articulate and present compelling design visions, he consistently bridges creativity with functionality to bring complex projects to life for John Portmann & Associates, Gensler, Carrier Johnson +Culture and currently for COVE architecture.

Strategic Advisor

Maria Lioce

A longtime Atlanta resident and a respected pillar of the Italian-American community, Maria Lioce brings a unique blend of scientific expertise, cultural insight, and creative energy. A seasoned executive at the Centers for Disease Control, Maria seamlessly bridges analytical thinking with aesthetic sensibility. Her leadership reflects the Expo’s spirit: intellectually driven, emotionally resonant, and rooted in Italian excellence. Her leadership reflects the Expo’s spirit: intellectually driven, emotionally resonant, and rooted in Italian excellence. Maria’s voice is already proving essential in guiding our vision forward.
Brand Reputation Director

Davide Ippolito

Davide Ippolito is a reputation expert, publisher, director, and producer for Amazon Prime Video and il Newyorkese media network. He is the founder of Business+ video streaming platform and serves as the Scientific Director of the Italian American Reputation Lab. Ippolito provides strategic consulting to prominent organizations such as NIAF (National Italian American Foundation), Confindustria, and Federmanager. He is also a frequent commentator and contributor for the Italian television network La7 and Rete 4, where he shares insights on reputation, media, and cultural identity.
Brand Partnerships & Strategic Development Director

Mattia Panico

Mattia is a senior professional with extensive experience in strategic partnerships, international brand development, and innovation across corporate and tech environments. At Booking Holdings, he led the Italian market for Rentalcars.com, driving key growth initiatives across the group. He later joined Poste Italiane, where he managed groundbreaking projects in AI and cybersecurity, supporting the company’s digital transformation. Today, as Managing Director of il Newyorkese and Partner at Reputation Research, he fosters high-level alliances between Italian brands and the U.S. market, combining visibility with long-term strategic value.
Ecosystems & Start Up Director

Enrico Cimador

Enrico Cimador is a Senior Project Manager at Siemens Advanta Consulting, where he leads strategic initiatives across MedTech, Mobility, and Energy sectors. Based in Atlanta, he works with senior leadership on growth, M&A, restructuring and sustainability projects, bringing over a decade of global experience across Germany, China, and the U.S.A. Enrico is a committed entrepreneur and ecosystem builder. Being exposed to and working on family ventures from a young age, he carries his passion to date and is actively launching an AI-driven SaaS startup in the US market.
Executive Ambassador

Carolina Rosini

Carolina Rosini is a dynamic Italian food entrepreneur and passionate ambassador of authentic Made-in-Italy cuisine. Based in Atlanta, she has become a key influencer in promoting high-quality Italian products across the U.S. market. She recently opened the first Italian bakery in Buckhead—Rosetta Bakery—bringing artisanal flavors to the heart of Atlanta. Through brand advocacy and culinary storytelling, she champions Italy’s regional traditions and elevates appreciation for genuine Italian food.
Social Media Director

Elizabeth Williams

Elizabeth Williams is a brand strategist with experience working both in-house and with agencies across the U.S. and Italy. Her expertise includes brand development, storytelling, and digital engagement, with a focus on the luxury and tech sectors. She has worked with clients such as Rocco Forte Hotels, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, The St. Regis Venice, Ristorante Local Venezia, and the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, as well as NCR Voyix, Aderant, and Namely HR. Combining creative instinct with an analytical eye, Elizabeth is known for crafting identities that connect, differentiate, and endure across cultures and platforms.
Executive Ambassador

Luigi Debellis

Luigi Debellis is a dynamic and innovative entrepreneur. Former WNBA coach in Italy for 2 decades, he then built a commercial network spanning the USA, Slovenia, and Italy, specializing in the acquisition, sales, and distribution of orthodontic products. With a strategic and forward-looking mindset, Luigi has identified new market opportunities, forged strong partnerships, and consolidated his international presence. His experience encompasses all stages of the commercial cycle: from product selection and procurement to sales management, warehouse organization, and logistics—always with the goal of ensuring efficiency and quality for the end customer.
Visual Design Director

Saba Saadatar

Saba Saadatdar, 2025 graduate cum laude at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Graphic Design and Motion Media Design, Saba brings a versatile skill set to the world of visual communication. Her creative capabilities capture brand identity, engaging social media content, impactful poster design, user-friendly and visually rich websites, short films with storytelling depth, and vibrant illustrations that reflect both imagination and technicality.
Visual Design Director

Valentina Vidali

Valentina Vidali, 2025 summa cum laude graduate at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta, she is an accomplished artist with a deep passion for graphic design, multimedia visual expression and storytelling. A rising figure and influential voice in the Atlanta art scene, her work has been featured in several galleries and cultural events. In 2024, she was showcased in the Films Not Dead exhibition at APG Gallery and contributed to major creative projects including the independent film Final Broadcast and the immersive experience Frequency Operas delivered in Italy at the Vatican City.

The Made in Italy Expo is produced by the Italia America Reputation Lab (IARL) in partnership with the Italy America Chamber of Commerce Southeast, Georgia Chapter (IACCSE-GA). Together, we’re building new opportunities for Italian industries, cultural leaders, and global partners

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Made in Italy Expo 2025 © • Atlanta, GA • All Rights Reserved.

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