The fourth annual “Flavours of Italy” event was launched in Vancouver on September 28th with a Press Conference held at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside. A press conference on October 2 unveiled Calgary’s programme. The press meetings introduced the Mission of Italian companies from the Region of Basilicata visiting Western Canada from September 27th to October 3rd. The mission was comprised of companies specializing in the furniture, agrifood, wine and tourism sectors and was led by the President of the Basilicata Foreign Centre, Giovanni Matarazzo. Also in attendance was the International Director of the Region of Basilicata, Dr. Emilio Libutti; the Managers of “Sviluppo Italia”, Roberto Rosi and Raffaele Ricciuti; as well as representatives of the two Chambers of Commerce of Matera and Potenza. , The initiative, which is a part of the agreement between Regione Basilicata and ICE has the ongoing goal of promoting and strengthening political and commercial agreements and facilitating new market opportunities in the Pacific Northwest, in particular with British Columbia and Alberta.  Following the press conference and in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Basilicata, VIP and media were invited to a wine and food tasting lunch featuring the specialty foods and wines from the Province of Basilicata. In Vancouver, BOSA Foods hosted the hospitality lunch and also provided food samples throughout the day to the trade industry attending a wine tasting that featured local BC wine agents promoting over 200 imported Italian wines.  These wonderful wines showcased all Italy has to offer  and were promoted for the entire month of September  during a British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch  thematic in-store promotion involving displays in 50 selected stores. In Calgary Willow Park Wine & Spirits hosted Basilicata’s trade activities introducing their products to the Calgary business community. The Wine & Spirits companies from Basilicata that took part in their first economic mission to Western Canada and the tradeshow were Fontanarosa Vini, Cantina Sociale del Vulture and Amaro Lucano. The speciality food companies represented were; Cooperativa Valpollino, Di Taranto Giuseppe, Italmiko,  Agriturismo Punzi and Paoli Food and Beverage.

A second part of the Basilicata Trade Show was represented by furniture and furniture component manufacturers from Basilicata. The companies showcased were: Euroline, makers of visco elastic foam for mattresses, pillows and upholstery; and  Pellettieri, producers of exceptional office chairs. Participants from both trade shows joined in a series of business to business meetings with local operators.

In both Vancouver and Calgary a final luncheon event promoting Investment Opportunities in the European Union was financed under the agreement between ICE & Regione Basilicata, and co-financed by the European Union. InvestInItaly is the Italian organization for investment promotion created by Sviluppo Italia (the National Agency for Enterprise and Inward Investment Development) and the Italian Trade Commission (the Government Agency which promotes the internationalization of Italian companies). Its mission is to offer a single and reliable reference point to current and new investors intending to set up or expand their business in Italy. Speakers included  Dott. Emilio Libutti (Regione Basilicata), Dott. Roberto Rosi (Invest In Italy) and Dott. Raffaele Ricciuti (Sviluppo Italia  Basilicata). The presentation focused on the investment opportunities and investment incentives in Basilicata in the sectors of commercial and residential real estate development, agriculture, tourism and oil & gas.

Under the auspices of the Consulate General of Italy, Vancouver welcomed His Excellency Gabriele Sardo, Ambassador of Italy to Canada, as guest of Honour to this year’s Flavours of Italy in Vancouver during the evening consumer wine and food celebration at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside.  Members and Friends of ICCC were also invited to Teatro Restaurant in Calgary to sample the many Flavours of Basilicata.

Flavours of Italy, Vancouver - September 28, 2006

• Press Conference click here
• Media & VIP lunch click here (by invitation only)
• Gala dinner and consumer wine tasting event click here (public event)
• Hospitality wine trade tasting click here (trade only)
• Basilicata trade furniture showroom click here
• Basilicata trade food & wine showroom click here
• Flavours of Italy Olive Oil Seminar with Pino Posteraro, of Cioppino's Restaurant click here (public event)
• InvestinItaly luncheon Seminar click here (By invitation only)
• Cole Freight Seminar click here (public event)
• Overview of event please click here
• Click here to RSVP for any of the above Vancouver events