Italian Excellence Award plans Washington, Naples and Melbourne expansion

By AI, Created 8:50 PM UTC, May 19, 2026, /AGP/ – The Italian Excellence Award is extending its reach in 2026 and 2027, with events planned in Genoa, Washington, Naples and Melbourne. The Foundation says the next phase will broaden the award’s international network while spotlighting Italian talent, culture and reputation abroad.

Why it matters: - The Italian Excellence Award is moving from a recognition program into a wider international platform for Italian talent, business and culture. - The expansion adds new visibility in the U.S. and Australia, where Italian communities and global institutions can amplify the award’s reach. - The Foundation is tying the award to sustainability, reputation-building and cross-border networking, not just a physical trophy.

What happened: - The Italian Excellence Award is back for its 13th year. - The 2026 edition starts in Genoa at the National Museum of Italian Emigration. - The finale of the 2026 edition will take place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. - The Award will expand to Melbourne on March 27, 2027, with a major event that will launch nominations for the 14th edition. - The Foundation is also planning 2027 celebrations tied to Naples and the 500th anniversary of the historic pact linked to the Treasure of San Gennaro.

The details: - The Award was founded in 2014 by economic journalist Massimo Lucidi. - Lucidi serves as president of the E-novation Foundation. - The Award doubled its reach during the pandemic with a simultaneous live-broadcast edition linking Rome and Washington, D.C. - The Rome event was held at the Holy See’s San Carlo ai Catinari Palace and was hosted by culinary ambassador Amy Riolo. - Lucidi said the meaning of Made in Italy has expanded beyond food, fashion and design into fields including precision mechanics, aerospace and pharmaceuticals. - Lucidi said the Genoa gathering honors generations of Italians who emigrated, rebuilt ties to their homeland and created new success abroad. - Lucidi is a member of the National Press Club, which has championed global press freedom since 1908. - The 2026 Washington event will be held at the National Press Club, located between the Capitol and the White House. - Nominations for the Award are free and open continuously, with peaks during E-novation Foundation social events. - Recent nominees include Almaviva, the Medor Foundation, the National Drone Hub and Paolo Scudieri. - Almaviva was nominated during Vatican General Assembly conferences and is described as a global digital innovation leader. - Alberto Tripi, Almaviva’s 86-year-old president, founded and expanded the company worldwide. - The Medor Foundation nomination includes President Marco Minniti. - Sabrina Zuccalà leads the National Drone Hub. - The Naples initiative is being developed with Marquis Pierluigi Sanfelice di Bagnoli. - The Sanfelice family is described as the only remaining signatory lineage to the historic pact tied to the Treasure of San Gennaro. - Azzurra Rinaldi, vice president of the Foundation, said the group hopes to formalize an agreement involving the Neapolitans in the World Association, its TV network and the Columbus Day Parade. - Rinaldi spoke from New York City by video link. - The Foundation says it is working with Italian-Australian entrepreneur Paris Chivers on the Melbourne event. - Lucidi said the award is defined by consistency, vision and reputational value rather than the statuette itself. - Lucidi framed the award around “Networking and Net-reputation.”

Between the lines: - The award is using destination cities with symbolic weight: Genoa for emigration history, Washington for institutional visibility and Melbourne for a Southern Hemisphere footprint. - The Naples and Melbourne initiatives suggest the Foundation is building a year-round pipeline of events instead of a single annual ceremony. - The emphasis on reputation, sustainability and global networks points to a broader cultural-diplomatic strategy for Made in Italy.

What’s next: - The 2026 award cycle will continue with the Washington finale. - The Foundation will push toward a 2027 collaboration centered on Naples’ heritage. - Preparations are underway for the March 27, 2027 Melbourne event and the launch of nominations for the 14th edition. - The Foundation is also seeking to formalize participation in the Columbus Day Parade through its Neapolitan partners.

The bottom line: - The Italian Excellence Award is positioning itself as a global platform for Italian identity, influence and reputation, with new hubs in the U.S., Italy and Australia.