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. “I’m proud to say that ISDA has had over 30 of its young members attend the IAFL program, more than any other organization in the country. This ensures that ISDA will have a great new generation of talented leaders to guide the future of our organization,” said ISDA President Basil Russo.
The 4th annual Italian American Future Leaders Convention (IAFL4) drew 350 attendees ages 21–35 to South Florida this past week to examine cultural identity, accelerate leadership development and advance strategies for long-term community impact.
Sponsored in part by the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), 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-year 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 ISDA 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.”
Beyond formal programming, IAFL4 featured networking opportunities, catered Italian cuisine, VIP amenities, a rooftop welcome reception, a popup bocce tournament, traditional dance and a closing celebration.
ISDA continues to invest in leadership development as a strategic priority for the community’s future.
Hosted by the Bocce Bros, dozens of IAFL Convention attendees participated in a popup tournament during “game night.”
Through its all-expense-paid model, including hotel accommodations, meals and transportation, IAFL lowers barriers to participation while expanding its national reach.
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.
“As we look ahead to IAFL5, we’re incredibly proud of what has been built over the past four years and excited by what comes next,” said IAFL Executive Director Andrea Mauck. “The next convention will be a milestone moment, celebrating our successes, and continuing to raise the bar as we deepen our commitment to the Italian American community nationwide.”
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 of the convention, 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 ISDA’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.
In 1930, immigrant families banded together to create the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), now one of the most prominent and financially successful Italian American organizations in the nation. In the last decade, we built a 730,000-strong social media community, grew our not-for-profit fraternal association, ISDA Financial Life, to nearly a half billion dollars in member assets, co-founded the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF), and launched the fastest-growing Italian American publication (La Nostra Voce).
Dining and Cooking