Co-sponsored by the Viola Family, the fourth annual Italian American Future Leaders Convention (IAFL4) — held Jan. 16–19 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. — equipped participants with the tools to translate cultural pride into measurable civic, social and organizational outcomes.
Sponsored in part by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO), the four-day, all-expense-paid convention is a rising national fellowship platform where Italian American professionals, students and advocates connect to address opportunities and obstacles, while amplifying 21st-century approaches and community-building.
Held annually in South Florida, the “IAFL” Convention has emerged as a catalyst in elevating the next generation in both collaborative and independent cultural leadership and engagement.
“Fellows” (first-time attendees) and “Alumni” (returning participants) engaged in tailored workshops and panels exploring dual citizenship pathways and ancestry insight, nonprofit and association leadership, social media and digital storytelling by “Growing Up Italian,” and the development of independent offshoots designed to celebrate and illuminate culture at the grassroots level.
“Our collective ancestors arrived more than a century ago, many of whom the same age as the IAFL attendees, and just think of all that they built and fought for,” said COPOMIAO President and IAFL co-founder Basil Russo. “Whatever paths they choose, IAFL is here to help this generation advance what our ancestors began and write the next chapter of our great Italian American story.”
COPOMIAO continues to invest in leadership development as a strategic priority for the community’s future.
Through its all-expense-paid model, including hotel accommodations, meals and transportation, IAFL lowers barriers to participation while expanding its national reach.
Hosted by the Bocce Bros, dozens of IAFL Convention attendees participated in a popup tournament during “game night.”
Every year, the annual IAFL Convention closes with a grand celebration, filled with pride, karaoke, dancing and catered Italian foods. The night seals the momentum for the months ahead, as more young generations’ clubs and initiatives emerge on the local level.
Click HERE to view viral social media coverage from IAFL4.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Proof that when you come together in spaces rooted in culture and community, incredible things can happen — an IAFL love story that led to a lifelong commitment. Congratulations to a pair of rising Italian American leaders, Patrick Ross Campesi and Andrea Mauck, on their wedding engagement!
IAFL President and co-founder John Viola, will tease the planning for year five, dubbed “ItalAmericon,” in the coming months.
Basil Russo opened the IAFL Convention with a powerful keynote address that energized and unified attendees. Reflecting on the hardships Italian immigrants endured, from systemic injustice to WWII-era discrimination, Russo drew a clear line between that history and the challenges facing the community today, including ongoing efforts to marginalize Italian American history and recycle harmful stereotypes. He then underscored COPOMIAO’s assertive response: landmark legal victories, sustained advocacy and elevating films that illuminate the Italian American experience. The message was unmistakable: Italian Americans are no longer on the defensive; they are proactively shaping positive outcomes. Russo closed with a call for the next generation to step forward and lead, prompting a standing ovation and affirming a renewed, collective commitment to preserving and advancing Italian American culture.