With an ordinance of June 2, Manlio Armellini received the Order of Merit “Cavaliere di Gran Croce” of the Italian Republic. The title, upon proposal by the Cabinet of Ministers, was conferred by the President of the Italian Republic, Mr. Giorgio Napolitano.
This honorary title (at present, Manlio Armellini is CEO of Cosmit spa, Presidente and CEO of Fondazione Cosmit, both members of Federlegno-Arredo, the most important federation in the furniture industry) acknowledges his prestigious career in the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the most important and famous promotion vehicle for the Italian furniture industry and its global leadership.
In 47 years, 34 of which under Armellini’s guide as General Secretary and then Managing Director, the Salon has grown into a complex fair system. This system has become a unique reference for companies, style and trends of living and dwelling around the world. A global system starting from 2005, with the launch of the project and brand “i Saloni WorldWide”, which took the show to the attractive markets of Russia and the United States.
As the event was growing and consolidating, Cosmit completed the commercial offer of the exhibition with an extraordinary program of cultural events: special reviews dedicated to the “big names” of international design, special shows for specific issues, and finally, artistic and spectacular performances to celebrate the city of Milan. These initiatives convey the message the Italian design is a stylistic, formal and industrial reference for the entire furniture supply chain and also support the widespread awareness that Milan is the hub of this system.
A journalist, an active supporter of associations and committees (which he often contributed to found), over the years Manlio Armellini has received assignments, signs of honor, awards and decorations in Italy and worldwide. On April 10, 1987, his activity was rewarded with the Golden Compass of ADI Associazione Disegno Industriale, “for the promotion of Italian design”, followed in 1998 by another Golden Compass assigned to Cosmit, “for the quality of coordinated image in the international promotion of exhibition and cultural activities by Cosmit”.
Armellini also received awards and decorations from local authorities, both personally and as the representative of Salone del Mobile: in December 2007, the Mayor of Milan, Mrs. Letizia Moratti, gave him the “Ambrogino d’Oro”, while in March 2008 he received the award “La Lombardia per il lavoro” from the President of Region Lombardy, Mr. Roberto Formigoni.
