International Buyer Program; Support for Domestic Trade Shows

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No. 9907021819181-01]

International Buyer Program; Support for Domestic Trade Shows

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and Call for Applications for the FY 2001 International

Buyer Program (October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001).

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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 2001.

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-

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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 FY2001 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 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 within August 30, 1999.

Contributions are for shows selected and promoted during the October 1,

2000 and September 30, 2001, 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, 2000 and September 30, 2001. A

contribution of $6,000 for shows of five days or less, or $8,000 for

shows more than five days in duration, or requiring more than one

International Business Center is required for the shows selected.

Under the IBP, the Commercial Service seeks to bring together

international buyers 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 between October 1, 2000, through September 30, 2001. The

Commercial Service will select those events that, in its judgment, most

clearly meet the Commercial Service's objective and selection criteria

mentioned below.

The Department selects events which it determines 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 1999 and 2000

are not eligible for inclusion in this program in fiscal year 2001, but

can be considered in subsequent years.).

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required

to respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to

comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of

the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information

displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

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).

General Selection Criteria: 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 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 account in evaluating current applications to the program.

Legal Authority: The Commercial Service has the legal authority

to enter into the

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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. 99-18213 Filed 7-15-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P