CHICAGO – The Italian Trade Commission Chicago Office and FEDERMACCHINE in partnership with Penton Media’s IndustryWeek and New Equipment Digest, are pleased to announce the Machines Italia “Pathway to Manufacturing Prosperity Conference: Strategies for Post Recession Manufacturing” to be held May 20, 2010 at the Elysian Hotel in Chicago, this executive-level conference will explore how today’s global manufacturing realities are altering the business landscape and how the savviest of companies are responding.

“I am a firm believer that the manufacturing base in the US is still strong and that reports stating its death have been greatly exaggerated” said Pasquale Bova, Trade Commissioner for the Chicago Office of the Italian Trade Commission.

According to John DiPaola, vice president of the Penton Media Manufacturing & Supply Chain Group, “The manufacturing industry continues to be pressured on many fronts, and manufacturing executives grapple with an ever-expanding list of challenges for their organizations. At IndustryWeek and New Equipment Digest, our objective is to support industry leaders with the information resources they need to advance their organizations and the collective industry. We are excited to be able to host an event that we believe will offer industry leaders not only the information but the motivation to expand their vision and compete effectively in a global market.”

The select group of manufacturing leaders in attendance will discuss key trends in global manufacturing and share proven strategies to help their fellow North American manufacturers achieve global competitiveness. The conference will feature a spectacular line-up of renowned manufacturers who will present their real-world experiences in operating successfully in the global economy and offer insights on how to prosper through world-class manufacturing leadership.

The conference will present several prominent manufacturing experts including:

• Nicole Y. Lamb-Hale, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services, International Trade Administration

Ms. Lamb-Hale will keynote the conference and will be discussing the state of American manufacturing, priorities, and policies going forward as well as how the National Export Initiative can help American manufacturing competitiveness.

• Dean A. Scarborough, Chairman, President, and CEO of Avery Dennison

Mr. Scarborough will discuss how Avery Dennison navigated the recession and positioned itself for long-term, profitable growth by focusing on operating excellence, protecting its investments in the future, and redefining its relationships with customers and markets.

• Alberto Maria Sacchi, President, Federmacchine

Mr. Sacchi will examine labor costs, infrastructure, intellectual property, and other factors that will impact manufacturers no matter where they are located.