We the Italians October 3, 2014 - 44 | Page 31

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How are you preparing for the biggest event of Expo 2015, which will lead our country in the spotlight all around the world?

This is a great opportunity not to be missed. A showcase that will represent the best of our country. I am sure that this event will reward the Italian excellence and its ability to carry out large-scale events. Besides, the theme chosen, “Feeding the planet, energy for life” allows us to address topical issues of global interest, which in fact is the size of the exposure which will see the presence of 147 countries so far.

Estimated that the number of visitors to the Expo will be about twenty million, Milan and Italy will be the center of the world. It is an impressive number that requiresthe work of a large team at all levels.

Personally, I take every opportunity to promote this event and to this goal are also involved the ItalianAmerican Chamber of Commerce, the Italian Institute of Culture and the local ICE office. Right here in Chicago, in July, the DirectorGeneral of Expo 2015 Piero Galli explained the great opportunities that the event will offer to the American market and to the local tour operators. He also presented "Made of Italians", an ambitious project inside the EXPO 2015 event that aims to enhance the potential role and support of the community of the Italians living abroad whom, with the help of some Regional Councils for Emigration and several Italian associations, will be granted favorable conditions during the EXPO, from subsidized prices for tourist accommodation to reduced entry to museums and other events.

An important signal from the organizers who rightly aims to enhance our communities abroad and responds to the desire and ambitions of many Italians of different generations of partaking in initiatives that contribute to strengthening ties with our country, and that make our countrymen proud ambassadors of the Italian spirit in their respective places of residence.

By Umberto Mucci