2005 was a year of many new beginnings for the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada.  We launched our first issue of Conexus magazine, opened an office in Calgary, introduced a new website and welcomed new additions to the staff and ICCC family.

The year began with our first incoming mission of 2006, a lighting and furniture delegation from Piemonte.  The delegation met with companies in Vancouver and Seattle who were all impressed with the design and quality of the products.

In February, ICCC and its members had the pleasure of welcoming the Italian Consul, Arnaldo Minuti during a lunch organized by ICCC’s Edmonton Office. 

In conjunction with our annual Flavours of Italy, ICCC hosted a delegation of twenty food and wine companies from the Region of Sardegna.  The group marked the opening of our Calgary office as the first delegation to visit the city.  Calgary’s ICCC office organized a trade show to present traditional Sardinian products.  The delegation also visited Vancouver, showcasing their authentic products, such as Bottarga, to the business community and local importers.  The products were also featured during the Flavours of Italy Gala dinner.  ICCC held its annual Flavours of Italy BCLDB thematic in store wine promotion in April.  Global Television and the Renaissance Hotel were major sponsors for the annual trade tasting and gala dinner in Vancouver.  Local wine agents promoted over 125 Italian wines to the hospitality industry during the day and in the evening to the guests of the gala dinner.

June brought a wonderful addition to the ICCC family: Annabella Nowtash, daughter of our staff member, Antonia Butti, and her husband, Amir Nowtash. 

Conexus, ICCC’s magazine was launched in July.  Thanks to the expertise and dedication of Footeprint Communications, ICCC staff and the contribution from our advertisers, Conexus proved to be a high-quality, cutting-edge informative magazine. Conexus is a valuable tool for forging relationships between our members, Western Canada and the international business community.  Get ready for the January 2006 issue featuring articles on the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino.

In November, Calgary and Edmonton hosted an agri-food delegation from the Lazio Region.  The Edmonton office organized a members’ trade show and “Flavours of Italy Edmonton 2005” Gala Dinner, showcasing traditional food and wines from the Lazio Region.  “Sapori di Lazio” in Calgary featured a trade show and reception. 

ICCC hosted its first annual “Buon Natale Vancouver” at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Hotel.  CTV and the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Hotel were major sponsors of the event.  “Buon Natale Vancouver” featured a wine reception, five course dinner, an auction with auctioneer Bill VanderZalm and dancing and entertainment from March Hare.  At the event we welcomed the incoming Italian Consul General to Vancouver, Uberto Vanni d’Archirafi and his wife Roberta.

Named “The Year of the Membership”, in 2005 we made an extra commitment to promote membership and get our members involved in ICCC activities.  To achieve this goal we organized many Member At-Home events throughout the year, including a seminars hosted by DHL Danzas, Kuehne and Nagel as well as HSBC; networking events hosted by Yaletown Gelato and the Ferrari Maserati kick-off party for BC Fashion Week.  Another aspect of the “Year of the Membership” was our membership drive initiated at the Howe Street Gallery event.  ICCC has welcomed 80 new members so far in 2005, including our first Premium Member, RBC Royal Bank.  Our commitment to promoting member businesses will continue into 2006 with At-Home events scheduled regularly.

This month in Calgary and Vancouver we will be hosting an institutional delegation of the Presidents and Executive Directors of the Foreign Trade Centers of Basilicata, Puglia and Calabria.  This is a preparatory mission to be followed by a larger delegation of 50 companies from the agri-food, furniture and tourism industries in 2006.   Come and join us to welcome them at our Christmas Open House, December 8^th at the Italian Cafe Sciue, 800 West Pender Street, Vancouver.

ICCC would like to welcome the new members to our staff in 2006: Tommaso Zamperini, Jonathan Butterworth and Joyce Wong. 

Happy Holidays and wishing you all the very best this holiday Season.