On Saturday, August 29, 2026, CCI-NC and the Honorary Consul of Italy to NC hosted the Italian Business Networking event at Biesse America in Charlotte. The gathering marked the Charlotte edition of the Business Networking Group initiated by the Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia, and the launch of a continuing series of Italian business meetings in North Carolina.

The morning brought together more than 50 business leaders around the theme “From Italy to the Carolinas: Innovation, Investment & People.” The program offered Italian and Italian-connected companies operating in the region a chance to introduce themselves, exchange experience, and identify where stronger cooperation among companies, civic institutions, and the Italian diplomatic network can support growth in the United States. 

 

Distinguished Guests / Ospiti d’onore
CCI-NC was honored to offer a warm welcome - un caloroso benvenuto - to H.E. Marco Peronaci, Ambassador of Italy to the United States, on his first visit to North Carolina, together with Hon. Nico Frandi, Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia.

Also in attendance were: Valentina Cecchi, Honorary Consul of Italy to North Carolina, Monica Boccia, CCI-NC Board Member, who moderated the roundtable, Roberto Selci, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biesse S.p.A., and Federico Broccoli, President and CEO of Biesse America.

From the City of Charlotte
• City Council Member Kimberly Owens, District 6
• Alexis Gordon, Senior International Business Manager and Chief of Protocol
The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance was also represented.

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The Program
Dr. Cecchi and Avv. Boccia opened the meeting on behalf of CCI-NC and the Honorary Consulate. Consul General Frandi and Ambassador Peronaci then offered remarks on the strength of the Italian business presence in the United States and the value of closer coordination among companies and institutions.

Biesse, which hosted the event at its Charlotte headquarters, provided a host spotlight on Italian innovation and growth in the United States, with remarks by Mr. Selci and Mr. Broccoli.

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The remainder of the morning was devoted to company introductions and a business roundtable, moderated by Avv. Boccia, organized around four questions:

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1. Innovation and Competitiveness - how Italian companies continue to compete in the U.S. market through technology, innovation, and investment.

2. Investing and Growing in the Carolinas - what makes the region attractive, and what challenges companies encounter as they establish and expand operations.

3. The Human Factor: Why Charlotte? - how workforce, quality of life, cultural integration, and community engagement support long-term investment.

4. From Conversation to Action - what connections and institutional cooperation would most help Italian companies succeed and grow in the United States.

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The program closed with a networking reception. Guests enjoyed lunch hosted by Biesse and a live performance of Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro,” presented by Opera Carolina in honor of the Ambassador’s first visit to North Carolina.

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Italian Companies Represented / Aziende italiane rappresentate
Le aziende italiane in the region represented at the event included:

• A.Celli International
• ACMI USA
• Aircom USA
• Alpitronic Americas
• BICASA North America
• Biesse
• Cefla North America
• Enel North America
• KASK
• Movin USA
• PDM
• Pomiager USA
• REPI

• System Logistics

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Looking Ahead
Grazie di cuore to Biesse for hosting the event and providing lunch, to Opera Carolina for the performance, and to Board Member Monica Boccia for her work in bringing the gathering to life. The success of the Charlotte meeting confirms the value of a regular Italian business network in North Carolina. CCI-NC plans to continue this series in the coming year. If your company would like to be included on the invitation list for future meetings, please write to cci-nc@esteri.us. Vi aspettiamo!

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