On October 19, 2019, the Italian American Chamber of Commerce of Michigan  (IACCM) commemorated its 100^th anniversary with a gala celebration at the Detroit Athletic Club. The IACCM was founded in 1919 by the Consul of Italy in Detroit Pietro Cardellio, as well as several Detroit area Italian Americans, to promote business relationships between Italy and the United States.  

Among the early founding fathers were attorneys Joseph Schippacasse, Anthony Esperti and Dr. Vincent Mancuso, as well as local businessmen Andrew Maglia, Mark Valente Sr., Frank Loverde and Raymond Cuomo. Today, the Italian American Chamber of Commerce of Michigan is an active and vibrant group of approximately 170 Italian Americans who are proud of their Italian heritage and are engaged in many worthwhile charitable and business activities contributing to the entrepreneurial spirit, goodwill and success of the Southeastern Michigan community.

IACCM President Daniel Galli and event chairman Ron DiBartolomeo welcomed the 306 guests and thanked the sponsors who helped make the evening possible.  The presenting and elite sponsors for the event were DTE and Andiamo.   Consul of Italy in Detroit Dr. Maria Manca congratulated the IACCM for reaching this important milestone and their commitment to the community.   The State of Michigan issued a special tribute in honor of the 100^th anniversary celebration, signed by State Representative of the 33^rd District Jeff Yaroch, State Senator Peter J. Lucido of the 8^th District, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

The highlight of the evening was the premiere of a film directed by Anthony Bommarito and produced by Killer Productions.  The film features historical film clips from the IACCM archives and comments by longtime and newer members regarding the history, relevance, and future of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce of Michigan.  Each guest received a beautifully packaged copy of the film as a remembrance of the occasion.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening was singer Aaron Caruso, whose vocal students performed the Italian and American national anthems.  The Verdi Brass Quintet, directed by Bradley Arnold, performed the ” Triumphal March” from Aida and “Va Pensiero” from Nabucco.  David Passalacqua and Francesco Cavallini entertained during the cocktail hour and the Simon Vitale Band provided music for dancing after dinner.

It was a fitting celebration for the first one hundred years of this great organization, with the anticipation of continued success into its next century.