The World Trade Center of St Louis hosted its annual convention Growing Global on Wednesday, September 25 at the Ritz Carlton in Clayton, Missouri. The conference brings thousands of individuals and businesses together from around the world in what is St Louis' largest and most high profiled international event.

Representing Italian interests in St Louis was Michael Cross, founder of the Italian Community of St Louis and director of the St Louis - Bologna Sister Cities Organization. Cross met with Former Mayor Francis Slay and County Executive Sam Page, both of whom expressed their interest in St Louis' growing Italian population. The purpose of the St Louis - Bologna Sister Cities organization is not only cultural but also economic.

Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna, known as the breadbasket of Italy. Agriculture thrives in this rich area and consequently, Emilia Romagna is known as a great gastronomic center of Europe. St Louis, with major agricultural companies and institutions such as Bunge, Italgrani USA, Bayer/Monsanto, and the Danforth Plant Science Center, is at the center of America's agricultural sector. It seems as if a relation between these two cities was always meant to be.

Seeing that the highest levels of local government approve and encourage the growth of the Italian expat community, it is looking as if the cervelli in fuga phenomenon will continue the brain drain that Italy has been experiencing for the last decades. Will there be more Italian based ag sector businesses moving to St Louis in the next few years? That remains to be seen.

In the picture, Former Mayor of St Louis, Francis Slay and Michael J Cross, Founder of the Italian Community of St Louis and Director of the St Louis - Bologna Sister Cities Organization.