Vittorio Tabacchi awarded with Leonardo Qualità Italia 2006

Vittorio Tabacchi, the chairman of the Safilo Group, received from the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, the Leonardo Qualità Italia 2006 Award for the success achieved in promoting Italian Quality throughout the world.

The Leonardo Qualità Italia 2006 Award, the Oscar for Italian entrepreneurial activities, is promoted by the Leonardo Committee. Set up in 1993 by a group of Italian entrepreneurs, artists, scientists and intellectuals, including Sergio Pininfarina and Gianni Agnelli, the Committee intends to promote and establish 'Italian Quality' throughout the world. The Committee is chaired by Laura Biagiotti and boasts the operational support of ICE - the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade - and Confindustria, both crucial partners in order to create synergies in the worlds of business, art, culture and science.

The term Leonardo evokes , not by chance, to the alchemy created by art, science and technology: three forms that express intellectual ability and mirror Italy's success at international level.

The association between the Leonardo Committee and ICE can count on the participation of personalities who fully represent 'Made in Italy' and who share the responsibility of supporting Italy's position and image, worldwide.

The award went to Vittorio Tabacchi and other winners because they are 'leading entrepreneurs and intellectuals within the Sistema Italia whose companies have achieved significant successes on international markets, the ambassadors of Italy's image throughout the world, the special value of their international role, and the results achieved proving the excellence of Italian work'.

'It is a great honor to receive such an award from the highest echelon of the state' Vittorio Tabacchi stated. 'Safilo was created with the aim of promoting Italian quality and style throughout the world. I am deeply flattered by this important decision made by the committee chaired by Laura Biagiotti that further confirms that we are heading in the right direction'.

The awards ceremony took place at the Palazzo del Quirinale during the Leonardo Award 2006 given to Giorgio Armani.