L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 28 L'Italo-Americano bers of commerce active in t h e r e g i o n . W h e t h e r y o u need legal advice, market data, or connections to local partners, the guide helps connect you directly with the right people. The event also featured the guide's co-authors, who shared their expertise and insights during a panel dis- c u s s i o n . T h e s e i n c l u d e d M a r c o G i o v i n e a n d G i n a Piazza, partners at Tarter K r i n s k y & D r o g i n L L P ; Giuseppe Brusa, president o f G C C o n s u l t a n t s I n c . ; Edoardo Ducci, Global CFO o f E C X G l o b a l L o g i s t i c s , Inc.; and Emanuele Tozzi, CCO of the same company. Gina Piazza offered a deep dive into the legal side of expanding to the US, high- l i g h t i n g t h e f i r m ' s l o n g - standing commitment to the Italian business community. "Our attorneys specialize in m o r e t h a n 3 0 p r a c t i c e areas—from real estate and corporate law to immigra- t i o n , e n t e r t a i n m e n t , a n d f o o d a n d b e v e r a g e , " s h e said. "Since launching our Italy practice in 2011, we've p r o u d l y s e r v e d o v e r 7 0 0 Italian clients and continue t o a c t i v e l y s u p p o r t m o r e t h a n 2 0 0 o f t h e m o n a monthly basis." What sets their practice apart, Piazza explained, is its uniquely and up-to-date data—every- thing an entrepreneur needs to understand before enter- ing or expanding within the western US. One of the most inspiring sections is devoted to real-life success stories of Italian companies that have already made a successful leap into the American mar- ket. Among these examples i s O m n i a T e c h n o l o g i e s , which shared its experience during the event, offering attendees a tangible look at what's possible. Unlike traditional guides that quickly become outdat- ed, the Guida Paese Smart is born digital: it lives on a d e d i c a t e d l a n d i n g p a g e where businesses can down- load the full document and also access regularly updat- e d i n s i g h t s a n d t o o l s t h r o u g h e m b e d d e d l i n k s . T h i s d y n a m i c n a t u r e ensures the guide evolves with the market, reflecting the latest changes in regula- tions, business opportuni- ties, and community feed- b a c k . T h i s a d a p t a b i l i t y makes it a living resource designed to grow with its users. At the end of each section, readers will find direct links to key contacts and support organizations. These include both local US institutions and Italian gov- ernment bodies and cham- integrated, bilingual team of 13 professionals. "Unlike smaller firms that general- i z e , o r l a r g e r o n e s w h e r e expertise is siloed, we offer a n i n t e g r a t e d a p p r o a c h where experts in employ- ment law, intellectual prop- e r t y , M & A , a n d p r i v a c y work together as a cohesive unit." She also highlighted the firm's commitment to c o n t i n u i t y , w i t h a m u l t i - generational team that men- t o r s y o u n g a t t o r n e y s t o carry on the legacy of the Italy practice. Marco Giovine empha - sized that the guide doesn't r e p l a c e l e g a l a d v i c e — b u t provides a roadmap of key i s s u e s t o w a t c h f o r w h e n e n t e r i n g t h e U S m a r k e t . "We've highlighted over 80 k e y i s s u e s — f l a g s t o h e l p companies identify critical a r e a s w h e n s t a r t i n g o r expanding their business h e r e , " h e s a i d . " S o m e o f these are popular topics like real estate acquisition or leasing, but we also cover often-overlooked matters like protecting intellectual property, safeguarding your brand, and understanding local characteristics like Cal- ifornia's strict privacy laws and Proposition 65." Cali- fornia, he noted, is a partic- ularly strategic state—not just due to the sheer volume o f b u s i n e s s , b u t a l s o b e c a u s e o f i t s c o n s t a n t l y e v o l v i n g l e g a l l a n d s c a p e . "There are updates almost d a i l y — n e w l a w s , r e g u l a - t i o n s , a n d b i l l s . S t a y i n g ahead of these is essential, and our guide helps flag the most pressing issues." With its smart structure, real-world examples, and ever-evolving digital nature, the Guida Paese Smart is a s t r a t e g i c c o m p a n i o n f o r Italian businesses aiming to succeed in the complex and opportunity-rich market of the Western United States. By bringing together expert k n o w l e d g e , r e a l - l i f e c a s e studies, and easy access to critical tools and resources, the guide offers something invaluable: clarity and con- fidence. And in the unpre- dictable world of interna- t i o n a l b u s i n e s s , t h a t ' s a powerful place to start. ness community," she said i n t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n . " I t o p e n s a w i n d o w o n t o a n e x t r e m e l y d y n a m i c a n d diversified region, charac- t e r i z e d b y h i g h l e v e l s o f technological research and innovation." Why "Smart"? The name Guida Paese Smart reflects the guide's innovative and accessible design. Far from being a static document, the guide is a dynamic, user- f r i e n d l y d i g i t a l t o o l . I t employs clear, straightfor- ward language and a practi- cal structure, enriched with QR codes and hyperlinks that offer immediate access t o f u r t h e r r e s o u r c e s a n d insights. "It's a smart guide because it adapts to where you are in your journey," C h i a r e l l o e x p l a i n s . "Whether you're just begin- ning to explore the US mar- ket or preparing to make s t r a t e g i c d e c i s i o n s , t h e guide meets you there—and helps you move forward." I n s i d e , t h e G u i d e o p e n s w i t h a n o v e r v i e w t h a t e x p l a i n s i t s p u r p o s e a n d o r i g i n . I t t h e n o f f e r s a detailed analysis of econom- ic opportunities and chal- lenges, followed by compre- hensive information on the strategic regulatory and fis- cal frameworks in the US. It offers actionable guidelines I f y o u ' r e a n I t a l i a n e n t r e p r e n e u r w i t h ambitions to expand into the US market, t h e r e ' s a n e w resource designed specifi- cally to guide your journey: G u i d a P a e s e S m a r t – H o w t o S u c c e s s f u l l y Launch Your Business in the Western Region of the United States of America. This innovative tool was officially presented on April 10 at the US Bank T o w e r i n D o w n t o w n L o s Angeles, in an event orga- n i z e d b y t h e C o n s u l a t e General of Italy in Los A n g e l e s a n d t h e C o n - sulate General of Italy in San Francisco. Devel- oped in collaboration with the Octagona Study Cen- ter and Bonfiglioli Con- sulting, the guide is tai- lored to meet the practical needs of Italian companies looking to enter the US mar- ket. "The goal is very simple," e x p l a i n s F e d e r i c a Chiarello, COO of Bonfigli- o l i C o n s u l t i n g U S A . " T o offer practical strategies for e n t e r i n g t h e U S m a r k e t , particularly in 11 key west- ern states, each with its own economic landscape." The guide focuses on California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexi- co, Washington State, Ore- gon, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Alaska, and Hawaii. These states, known for their eco- n o m i c d y n a m i s m a n d d i v e r s e i n d u s t r i e s , o f f e r countless opportunities for Italian businesses—but also require a deep understand- ing of regional differences and regulations. "Tackling s u c h a v a s t a n d c o m p l e x m a r k e t r e q u i r e s e x p e r t g u i d a n c e a n d c o n c r e t e tools," Chiarello adds. And t h a t ' s e x a c t l y w h a t t h e Guida Paese Smart aims to provide. Italian Ambassador to the United States, Mariangela Zappia, also emphasized t h e g u i d e ' s p o t e n t i a l . " I f i r m l y b e l i e v e t h a t t h i s Smart Country Guide will be a valuable tool for our busi- Left, Consul General Raffaella Valentini speaks at the presentation of Guida Paese Smart. Top right, some of the peo- ple at the event and, bottom right, downtown LA, where the presentation took place (Photos: Veronica Maffei) Italian businesses eyeing US expansion with a powerful tool SILVIA NITTOLI LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY

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