The School of Business and the Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America are sponsoring a free conference that will explore the future of Italian and Italian-American business.

"Forecasting the Future: Italian and Italian-American Business for the 21st Century" will take place Thursday, April 22, in Dickson Hall.

A bilateral trade panel, designed for the regional business community as well as students, will focus on the changing nature of global trade. Panelists are Dottor Mauro Lorenzini, vice consul at the Italian Consulate in Newark; Rennie Alston, customs consultant and instructor at the World Trade Institute at Pace University as well as president of American River Logistics in Elizabeth; and Carmela Mammas, senior international trade specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce in Newark. Representatives from the business community actively involved with import/export operations will round out the panel, and Cecilia Ricci of Finance will moderate. The discussion will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

"The panel discussion will explore multiple issues with a central theme of evaluating Italy as a business gateway to the European Union," said Rudy Valli, the Coccia Institute's conference chair. Issues likely to be addressed include outsourcing, the impact of the Euro and currency fluctuations, the effect of the Sept. 11 tragedy, global economic trends and resources available to assist companies in importing and exporting goods and services.

Success Panel, an additional session designed for Montclair State students, will take place at 10:30 a.m. Five prominent Italian-American business professionals will review their personal experiences as well as the challenges, opportunities and skills necessary to excel in their respective professions. Panelists include a partner in a "Big Four" public accounting firm, a CIO in a major media and entertainment company, an executive in a global consulting and professional services firm, a hi-tech expert and a CEO with multiple entrepreneurial experiences.

The forum will close with a keynote address by Robert Striano, president and CEO of Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A. in Mahwah. For more information or to make a reservation, call Jennifer Schettino at 973-655-4050.

For additional information on both the conference and the Coccia Institute, visit http://chssfp.montclair.edu/cocciainstitute.

The Joseph and Elda Coccia Institute is named in honor of Cav. Joseph Coccia, Jr. and his wife Elda. With the Institute, the Coccias and MSU share the vision for an entity with the flexibility to respond to new opportunities as well as network and collaborate with existing organizations in areas of shared interest.