The Hon. Franco Frattini, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the Council of the European Union, was the Guest of Honor on September 25, 2003, at the GEI Gala Dinner at The Pierre Hotel in New York. The gathering attracted hundreds of GEI members and their guests, all of whom were treated to a sumptuous dinner accompanied by a wide range of fine Italian wines. The guests were entertained by pianist Cristiana Pegoraro, who played a selection of arias from Italian opera. A collection of images from the Gala are shown here.