Durante il nostro percorso di espansione nella Bay Area, la Italian Commerce Association si sta rivelando un partner fondamentale. Grazie a loro abbiamo avuto l’opportunità di entrare in contatto diretto con decine di ristoratori locali, aprendo conversazioni che altrimenti sarebbero state molto difficili da avviare. In un ecosistema competitivo come quello statunitense, il loro supporto è stato concreto, rapido e orientato ai risultati.

Francesco Tansella
CEO, Olivia

Thank you!

Thank you for taking care of my expansion project and introducing me to a network of people who are proving to be very helpful.

I am an entrepreneur from Milan, and I am currently planning to expand part of my business across the United States, establishing the main office in the Bay Area.

Initially, I had contacted some other associations, but the results were unhelpful and disappointing. Then, a few months ago, I met Sara Bianchi Chamberlin and shared my project with her. Sara immediately got to work helping me, especially in building a network of contacts and professionals that I had not been able to reach before. The Italian Commerce Association has supported me over the past few months, and it has been essential and very useful for me. Sara is a very helpful person, with a deep knowledge of the area.

Thank you again for the crucial help you have given me and continue to give, as you accompany me through this first phase of feasibility assessment!

Giovanni Manfredi

(Ediglam Srl)

The UC Berkeley Italian Migration Studies Working Group and the Italian Commerce Association organized a panel discussion, “Italian Diaspora Between Past and Present,” on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 5 to 7 PM at the Italian Community Services (ICS) in San Francisco. The event brought together various organizations, including the UC Berkeley Department of Italian Studies, the Institute of European Studies, Portland State University, and the Townsend Center for the Humanities.

The Italian Community Services generously hosted the event in the beautiful Heritage Room of Casa Fugazi.

The discussion featured scholars Laura Ruberto (Berkeley City College) and Clarissa Clò (San Diego State University), who shared their insights before opening the floor to a dynamic exchange with both in-person and online audiences. The event attracted approximately 130 participants, highlighting the strong interest in the history and contemporary realities of the Italian diaspora.

This panel marks the first in a series of conferences aimed particularly at the Italian-American community. Italian migration to South America and the U.S. has evolved through multiple stages since the mid-1880s, enduring world wars and political shifts.

Following the discussion, attendees continued their conversations during a reception, reinforcing a profound sense of community.

The next event will take place at the Italian Cultural Institute on April 8, featuring a screening of Nella Condorelli’s docu-film, La Storia Vergognosa, followed by a discussion.

Stay tuned!