Richard delivered the keynote to an enthusiastic audience at the final day of the Festival of City – Enterprise in Maniago. Afterward, we enjoyed the local flavor at a restaurant made famous by a visit by Bill Clinton. Il Rifugio is surrounded by a natural park in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Our dinner guests included well-known sport clothing manufacturer, Lotto – Andrea Tomat and President of Confindustria Veneto Region, Professor Alberto Felice De Toni, and Filiberto Zovico, Director of Festival delle Città Impresa.

Beautiful mountains of Friuli Venezia, enroute to Maniago

Richard accepting a gift from event organizers

Rana Florida, Richard Florida, Filberto Zovico

Richard and Rana Florida enjoying dinner with event organizers at a mountain side restaurant in Friuli Venezia

Richard and Rana departing by water taxi to the Marco Polo International Airport

Richard gave the keynote address yesterday at the Festival delle Citta Impresa (A Festival of the City – Enterprise) in Schio, Italy (just outside Venice).  The Festival, organized by Nordesteuropa Editore, took place in an architecturally and culturally creative textile prototyping factory.  The event spurred vibrant discussions about the future challenges of the economy, politics and society, creativity and research.