History of the American Business Group

The American Business Group holds a monthly Italian business lunch on the third Friday of the month. It was conceived by, and for, members of the (North) American community living and working in Milan. The lunch was the brainchild of the late Hector Pernetti, President of Bolliger International Removals.

The original group, consisting exclusively of executives (men only) from the American business community, began meeting in 1980/81. The lunches proved a great success and soon became the highlight of the monthly calendar. In 1988, the group was opened to women and non-American passport holders. Whereas the core of the group is still made up of executives from the American business community, today the American Business Group lunch is open to all those having interests in, or businesses dealing with, North America and/or North American companies. As a consequence, the number of attendees has steadily grown but the spirit remains the same.

The group is not registered and has no membership or fees other than the lunch cost. As in the past, the group is maintained by good will and the support of its committee and company sponsors. Until the death of Hector, Bolliger International Removals was the sole sponsor. Dobson Law Offices then stepped forward and provided ten years of support, entertainment and leadership. In November 2000, CORE Cocchini Relocation srl assumed the lead role and today, Bolliger, CORE and the sponsoring committee members donate their time and services to maintain the lunches.