Commerce Trade Fair Privatization: Private Sector Organization and Management of U.S. Exhibitor Pavilion in Tokyo Motor Show

SUMMARY: This notice sets forth a summary of the objectives and

procedures for qualified U.S. firms to assume responsibility for

recruiting, promoting, organizing, and managing a U.S. exhibitor

presence at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo, Japan. This event was

previously organized and managed by Commerce. In this context and

throughout this notice, this transfer of responsibilities is referred

to as ``privatization.''

DATES: These administrative procedures are effective on March 13, 1996.

The deadline for receipt of applications from U.S. firms wishing to

assume responsibility for recruitment, promotion, construction, and

management of a U.S. exhibitor pavilion in the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show is

April 19, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Trade Fair Certification Program, Room 2116, Export

Promotion Services, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department

of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. 20230.

FOR A COPY OF THE SOLICITATION OR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Paul Bucher, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2116, 14th and

Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. 20230. Tel: (202) 482-2525.

Fax: (202) 482-0115

Applicants may want to contact the U.S. Department of Commerce

industry officer, previously responsible for organizing and managing

the U.S. pavilion, and/or the trade fair proprietor about actual show

dates, event specifics and logistics (see below).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In order to apply, interested firms must

contact Commerce for a complete set of eligibility criteria,

instructions, and an application. Applications must be received by

Commerce by April 19, 1996.

The collection of information is approved by the Office of

Management and Budget, OMB Control Number 0625-0222. Persons are not

required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays

a currently valid OMB control number.

As part of its focus to increase exports, the National Export

Strategy, dated September 30, 1993, calls for the Administration to

reduce the number of trade events the U.S. Government {USG} organizes,

encourages more private sector participation in the trade event

process, and invites qualified private sector firms to bid for those

events they desire to handle. While this strategy refers to all USG-

organized events, this notice is concerned only with the privatization

of the Tokyo Motor Show to be held in October 1997, in Tokyo, Japan.

As with shows under the Trade Fair Certification Program, private

sector organizers in this privatization process assume the

responsibilities of organizing and managing a U.S. pavilion in

designated overseas trade fairs, in lieu of Commerce. Certification,

via the privatization process, assures Commerce's recognition and

support of these private sector efforts.

Commerce does not provide any financial assistance to organizers or

to exhibitors at these shows. As with the existing Trade Fair

Certification Program, the selected organizer contributes $1,500 to

assist in defraying Commerce expenses incurred in supporting the

organizer and exhibitors.

Organizers selected by Commerce are not representatives of the

Department or the U.S. Government and are prohibited from making

statements to that effect.

Principal requirements and criteria of the privatization process

are summarized below:

The applicant must be a U.S. person. A ``U.S. person''

means a U.S. citizen, or an entity (such as a corporation, partnership,

association or other entity) created under the laws of the United

States or of any state, or the U.S. branch or agent of a foreign

person. An officer of an American Chamber of Commerce, located in

Japan, is eligible to submit an application. Such an applicant must

meet the same criteria and perform the same requirements as a U.S.

person. Applications will not be accepted from other foreign-based

persons or entities.

In order to qualify, all applications must be received by

April 19, 1996.

The selected U.S. pavilion organizer must offer the same

space first to U.S. firms that participated in the 1995 show.

Formation of a U.S. pavilion is required.

Production of a catalog of U.S. exhibitors is required.

The selected pavilion organizer must recruit a minimum of

12 exhibitors.

Selected organizers are required to send a representative

to the show for its duration and staff an office or booth within the

show.

Trade association applicants cannot restrict their U.S.

exhibitor recruitment campaign or exhibitor participation to

association members only. Such applicants must acknowledge and agree to

this condition.

Commerce cannot guarantee that the foreign trade fair

proprietor will agree to privatization of the U.S. pavilion in the

subject event. Commerce will assist the selected U.S. pavilion

organizer in its discussions with the foreign event proprietor, but it

is the foreign event proprietor's decision to grant the necessary lease

for exhibit space.

Within 60 days notice of selection, the U.S. pavilion

organizer must submit the necessary lease documentation.

Pavilion organizers should note that the foreign event

proprietor may opt to select its own agent in advance of Commerce's

selection of a U.S. pavilion organizer. In such cases, Commerce will

continue to offer its support to the U.S. pavilion organizer and event,

but via the standard Trade Fair Certification Program, as prescribed in

the Federal Register notice dated April 30, 1993, 58 FR 26116.

Prior to selection of the U.S. pavilion organizer,

Commerce reserves the right to withdraw an event from the privatization

process if circumstances warrant Commerce's retention of the event.

Also, following selection of the U.S. pavilion organizer, Commerce may

withdraw its support of the U.S. pavilion organizer if Commerce

determines that the U.S. pavilion organizer has not complied with the

provisions outlined in this notice. Commerce also retains the option to

directly organize and manage a pavilion of exhibitors under these

circumstances.

While the foreign event proprietor will be encouraged to

offer the selected U.S. pavilion organizer leased space under the same

conditions and rates that would be offered to Commerce, Commerce cannot

guarantee it.

The appropriate Commerce Officer should be contacted to discuss

Commerce's activities and responsibilities as they relate to the U.S.

pavilion in the Tokyo Motor Show. Commerce seeks applications from

qualified firms, associations, or the local American Chamber of

Commerce abroad to assume U.S. pavilion recruitment, promotion,

organization and

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management functions in the Tokyo Motor Show:

Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo, Japan, October 1997

Industry: Autos, Auto Parts, and Auto Services Commerce contact for

past event information: John White or Lori Seaman, U.S. Department of

Commerce, Room 4028, Washington, D.C. 20230, Tel: 202/482-0671, Fax:

202/482-5872

Show Proprietor: Japan Motor Industrial Federation (JMIF), Attn:

Executive Managing Director, Otemachi Building, 6-1, 1-chome, Otemachi,

Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan, Tel: 81/3/3211-8731, Fax: 81/3/3211-5798.

Dated: February 14, 1996.

Mary Fran Kirchner,

Chairman, ITA Trade Events Board.

[FR Doc. 96-5918 Filed 3-12-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P