[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34362-34364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16764]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
International Buyer Program; Support for Domestic Trade Shows
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice and Call for Applications for the FY 2000 International
Buyer Program (October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000).
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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth objectives, procedures and application
review criteria associated with the U.S. Department of Commerce's
International Buyer Program (IBP), to support domestic trade shows.
Selection is for the International Buyer Program for Fiscal Year 2000.
The International Buyer Program was established to bring
international buyers together with U.S. firms by promoting leading U.S.
trade shows in industries with high export potential. The International
Buyer Program emphasizes cooperation between the U.S. Department of
Commerce (DOC) and trade show organizers to benefit U.S. firms
exhibiting at selected events and provides practical, hands-on
assistance such as export counseling and market analysis to U.S.
companies interested in exporting. The assistance provided to show
organizers includes worldwide overseas promotion of selected shows to
potential international buyers, end-users, representatives and
distributors. The worldwide promotion is executed through the offices
of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service (hereinafter
referred to as the Commercial Service) in 70 countries representing
America's major trading partners, and also in U.S. Embassies in
countries where the Commercial Service does not maintain offices. The
Department expects to select approximately 24 shows for FY2000 from
among applicants to the program. Shows selected for the International
Buyer Program will provide a venue for U.S. companies interested in
expanding their sales into international markets. Successful applicants
will be required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that
sets forth the specific actions to be performed by the show organizer
and the DOC. The MOU constitutes an agreement between the
[[Page 34363]]
DOC and the show organizer specifying which services are to be rendered
by DOC as part of the IBP and, in turn, what responsibilities are
agreed to be performed by the show organizer. Anyone wishing to apply
will be sent a copy of the MOU along with the application package. The
services to be rendered by DOC will be carried out by the Commercial
Service.
DATES: Applications must be received on or before August 10, 1998.
Contributions are for shows selected and promoted during the October 1,
1999 and September 30, 2000, period.
ADDRESSES: Export Promotion Services/International Buyer Program,
Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department
of Commerce, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
Telephone: (202) 482-0146 (Facsimile applications will not be
accepted).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Boney, Product Manager,
International Buyer Program, Room 2116, Export Promotion Services, U.S.
and Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20230. Telephone (202) 482-0146 or Fax: (202) 482-0115.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commercial Service is accepting
applications for the International Buyer Program (IBP) for events
taking place between October 1, 1999 and September 30, 2000. A
contribution of $6,000 for shows of five days or less, or $8,000 for
shows more than five days in duration is required for the shows
selected.
Under the IBP, the Commercial Service seeks to bring international
buyers together with U.S. firms by selecting and promoting in
international markets domestic trade shows in industries with high
export potential. Selection of a trade show is one-time, i.e., a trade
show organizer seeking selection for a recurring event must submit a
new application for selection for each occurrence of the event. If the
event occurs more than once in the 12-month period covering this
announcement, the trade show organizer must submit a separate
application for each event.
The Commercial Service will select approximately 24 events to
support during this 12-month period. The Commercial Service will select
those events that, in its judgment, most clearly meet the Commercial
Service's objective and selection criteria mentioned below.
Selection indicates that the Department has found the event to be a
leading international trade show appropriate for participation by U.S.
exporting firms and promotion in overseas markets by U.S. Embassies and
Consulates. Selection does not constitute a guarantee by the U.S.
Government of the show's success. Selection is not an endorsement of
the show organizer except as to its international buyer activities.
Non-selection should not be viewed as a finding that the event will not
be successful in the promotion of U.S. exports.
Exclusions
Trade shows will not be considered that are either first-time or
horizontal (non-industry specific) events. Annual trade shows will not
be selected for this program more than twice in any three-year period
(e.g., shows selected for fiscal years 1998 and 1999 are not eligible
for inclusion in this program in fiscal year 2000, but can be
considered in subsequent years.).
The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information
collection requirements of the application to this program under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 2501 et
seq.) (OMB control no. 0625-0151).
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 3 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to Reports Clearance Officer,
International Trade Administration, Room 4001, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Washington, DC 20230 and to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork
Reduction Project (0625-0151), Washington, DC 20503.
General Selection Criteria
Subject to Departmental budget and resource constraints, those
events will be selected that, in the judgment of the Department, most
clearly meet the following criteria:
(a) Export Potential
The products and services to be promoted at the trade show are from
U.S. industries that have high export potential, as determined by U.S.
Department of Commerce sources, i.e., best prospects lists and U.S.
export statistics. (Certain industries are rated as priorities by our
domestic and international commercial officers in their Country
Commercial Guides.)
(b) International Interest
The trade show meets the needs of a significant number of overseas
markets covered by the Commercial Services of the United States of
America and corresponds to marketing opportunities as identified by the
posts in their Country Commercial Guides (e.g. best prospect lists).
Previous international attendance at the show may be used as an
indicator.
(c) Scope of the Show
The trade show offers a broad spectrum of U.S. made products and/or
services for the subject industry. Trade shows with a majority of
United States businesses as defined in 15 U.S.C. 4724 will be given
preference.
(d) Stature of the show
The trade show is clearly recognized by the industry it covers as a
leading event for the promotion of that industry's products and
services both domestically and internationally and as a showplace for
the latest technology or services in that industry.
(e) Exhibitor Interest
There is demonstrated interest on the part of U.S. exhibitors in
receiving international business visitors during the trade show. A
significant number of these exhibitors should be new-to-export or
seeking to expand sales into additional international markets.
(f) Overseas Marketing
There has been demonstrated effort made to market prior shows
overseas. In addition, the applicant should describe in detail the
international marketing program to be conducted for the event,
explaining how efforts should increase individual and group
international attendance.
(g) Logistics
The trade show site, facilities, transportation services and
availability of accommodations are in the stature of an international-
class trade show.
(h) Cooperation
The applicant demonstrates a willingness to cooperate with the
Commercial Service of the United States of America to fulfill the
program's goals and to adhere to target dates set out in the Memorandum
of Understanding and the event timetable, both of which are available
from the program office (see ``For Further Information on When, Where,
and How to apply''). Past experience in the IBP will be taken into
[[Page 34364]]
account in evaluating current applications to the program.
Legal Authority
The Commercial Service has the legal authority to enter into the
above-mentioned memorandum of understanding with the show organizer
under the provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange
Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2455(f)). The statutory authority
for the Commercial Service to conduct the International Buyer Program
is 15 U.S.C. 4724.
John Klingelhut,
Director, Office of Public/Private Initiatives, The Commercial Service,
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 98-16764 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P