[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 183 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50734-50736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25249]



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Part VI





Department of Commerce





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International Trade Administration



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Methylene Chloride; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 183 / Tuesday, September 22, 1998 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration
[Docket No. 980903230-8230-01]
RIN 0625-ZA08


Support Desired From the International Trade Administration (ITA) 
for Overseas Air/Defense Trade Shows

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice seeks comments from U.S. firms, professional show 
organizers, trade associations, and any other entities or persons to 
help ITA formulate a uniform, equitable program for supporting U.S. 
exhibitors at overseas air/defense shows. These shows entail unique 
elements such as government-to-government sales support, regulatory 
considerations, assistance with foreign military/buyer delegations, 
multi agency coordination, high level advocacy support, costly space 
requirements, and working with multiple private organizers in dispersed 
U.S. pavilions. Consequently, ITA is requesting information on the best 
mix of services, representation, and promotional activities that can be 
provided by ITA and show organizers at these events. Under applicable 
legal principles, ITA may be required to charge organizers or 
exhibitors a fee for some of the services provided. The notice provides 
specific lists of fee and non-fee services for consideration. 
Respondents are asked to comment on the lists and also on the need for 
a unified, centralized, or official American identity at air/defense 
shows, as well as how ITA can best achieve this where needed.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before cob October 30, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Export Promotion Services, 
``Air/Defense Show RFI,'' Room 2116, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th 
& Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230. Faxed comments 
should be sent to (202) 482-0115. E-mail comments to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald Huber, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 14th & Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230. 
Telephone: (202) 482-2525. Fax: (202) 482-0115. E-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The International Trade Administration 
(ITA), a U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) agency responsible for 
trade promotion and development, is requesting information and comments 
from U.S. companies, exhibitors, show organizers, trade associations 
and other interested parties concerning appropriate ITA support at 
major international air and defense shows. This information will be 
used to formulate a policy of how to provide support that will meet the 
objectives of exhibitors, the trade show and aerospace/defense 
industry, and ITA in an equitable, consistent, and cost-effective 
manner.
    ITA has privatized the recruitment, organization, and management of 
most U.S. pavilions at international trade shows. However, overseas 
sales in the air/defense industry still require government involvement 
at these shows to provide appropriate officials, market/regulatory 
knowledge, key contacts, agency coordination, exhibitor counseling, 
equipment support, etc. With fewer resources, ITA must provide 
government support within limited appropriated funding and cost-
recovery requirements. Consequently, ITA is seeking to identify what 
functions and activities industry places the highest priority on, 
bearing in mind that applicable legal principles may require exhibitors 
or organizers to pay for such activities from ITA on a cost recovery or 
contributory basis. ITA also seeks comments on the activities that 
should be undertaken by organizers.
    List A outlines those activities/functions that ITA believes are 
basic government support activities, are important, and likely could be 
provided at no direct additional cost to exhibitors/organizers. List B 
outlines those government support services/activities that likely would 
be provided on a cost recovery basis. List C outlines items that ITA 
believes are appropriate for show organizers to provide. ITA seeks 
comments on the content of lists A, B, and C; the priority rankings of 
the items on the lists; and which items should go into a standard 
package of ITA support services for air/defense shows.
    ITA support and services for these shows are currently handled 
through the Trade Fair Certification (TFC) program for certified shows, 
or for the Paris Air Show, via a Request For Proposal (RFP). Air/
defense shows are unique in various aspects and can entail extensive 
government support. They are large, complex operations involving 
government-to-government product sales, regulatory and licensing 
considerations, interaction and coordination with many foreign 
military/buyer delegations, multi agency interaction, host government 
coordination, advocacy support from high level government officials, 
operational government space requirements, complex logistical efforts, 
and multiple private organizers in several dispersed U.S. pavilions, 
with each organizer often requesting different services. Consequently, 
the expense for ITA support at these shows can be more than the Trade 
Fair Certification fee ($1,500) provides. It is estimated that 
providing list B services can entail direct costs to ITA of $5,000 to 
$20,000 per show, exclusive of the official reception. These costs 
would be recovered through fees from an air/defense show support 
program under consideration by ITA. The fee for this program would vary 
for each show depending on the cost and amount of support required.
    Comments are also requested on the need for, if any, of a more 
centralized or unified USA presence at these events, as well as how 
best to achieve this. Whereas many countries have a single, official 
national pavilion at air/defense shows, U.S. companies can exhibit at 
any one of several privately organized ``USA'' pavilions in various 
exhibit halls, or independently. Though these privately organized 
groupings of U.S. companies often use some form of USA identification, 
they have no official status or connection with the U.S. Government 
(USG) or foreign governments. ITA's certification of a private exhibit 
manager to organize and manage a United States pavilion and the RFP 
process do provide an official status and government partnership 
recognized by foreign buyers, but do not provide any certainty of a 
unified American presence or identity, especially if all of the 
pavilions are not certified or are widely dispersed. We would like 
comments on the value, if any, and the feasibility of providing a more 
unified, centralized, or official United States identity at air/defense 
shows.
    ITA is looking to develop a uniform, but flexible, package of 
services, policies, and fees that can be adapted to each air/defense 
show depending on U.S. national interest, size, attendance, support 
needed, number of organizers, etc. We feel there should be an 
appropriate, balanced role for exhibitors, organizers, ITA, 
associations, and other parties that fosters the best combination of 
support for increasing the success of U.S. exhibitors at these shows.
    In conclusion, ITA would appreciate your comments concerning--
    1. ITA's proposed lists (see A,B,C following) of services for these 
shows.

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    2. What additional services, functions, and support you feel ITA 
should provide.
    3. What policies, procedures, official recognition, and funding 
arrangements ITA should follow to best serve U.S. exhibitors at air/
defense shows.
    4. If needed, how to provide a more unified, centralized, or 
official U.S. identity at these shows.
    Information submitted in response to this RFI may be subject to 
public disclosure. Any information that you believe is business 
confidential, the disclosure of which would cause substantial 
competitive harm to your firm, should be so marked.

(Authority: 15 U.S.C. 4721.)

List A: Basic ITA Air/Defense Show Support Activities

    Since the organization and management of most U.S. pavilions in 
overseas trade shows has been privatized, overseas USDOC Commercial 
Sections in local U.S. Embassies do not have appropriated budget funds 
for extensive support of trade shows. The level or amount of basic 
support activities shown below will vary depending on resources 
available and what the USG feels is necessary and appropriate support 
for each show. The list below outlines show support that may be 
provided without cost recovery fees to exhibitors/organizers. However, 
for any of these activities to be carried out on-site, organizer(s) 
must provide adequate operational space at no cost.
    1. A level of official government representation appropriate for 
the show. Representation may range from numerous high-level officials 
to no representation at all. Includes officials from DOC, ITA, Bureau 
of Export Administration (BXA), the embassy, other agencies, the White 
House, etc., for activities such as an opening ceremony, obtaining 
industry/product information, representing U.S. interests at official 
functions/events, industry discussions, etc.
    2. Official advocacy--at the show or follow-up company/project 
support where appropriate.
    3. Basic foreign delegation facilitation--providing officially 
available information on foreign delegations and their schedules to 
exhibitors. (Does not include providing pre-show identification of 
individual exhibitor products/interests to delegations, obtaining 
delegation member identification/interests, delegation matchmaking, 
coordination of delegation visits, delegation escorting, introductions, 
etc.)
    4. Information concerning any official events, ceremonies, or 
meetings in connection with the show. Includes U.S. Information Agency 
press information.
    5. Briefing/coordination/scheduling/hosting for visiting high level 
USG officials.
    6. Invitations to appropriate local foreign government officials 
for official functions.
    7. Coordination of government operations/messages, distribution of 
USG event information, inter/intra agency communications/coordination, 
etc. (Space for these operations would be donated by organizers/
exhibitors.)
    8. Facilitation requests to fair authorities, host government, or 
other official agencies as appropriate.

List B: Value-Added, Cost-Recovery Air/Defense Show Services

    1. Individual matchmaking with local firms/buyers for exhibitors 
prior to/at the show.
    2. Pre-show and at-show customized foreign delegation facilitation, 
matching, and support--includes pre-show identification and 
distribution of individual exhibitor's products/interests to 
delegations, identification of delegation members and their interests, 
delegation information gathering/support from U.S. commercial sections 
in other countries, at-show tracking/coordination of delegation visits, 
language facilitation, delegation briefings, meeting arrangements with 
individual delegation members, escorting delegations through U.S. 
pavilions, delegation introductions to U.S. exhibitors, regional/
worldwide pre-show marketing/letters and promotion, follow-up contacts 
with local/regional governments/buyers, etc.
    3. Counseling and Information services--
     Operation of a full Business Information Office (BIO) 
booth in the organizers' pavilion to provide ITA services/program 
information, staff assistance, expert country/market/company 
counseling, official ITA presence and endorsement of the organizer; 
collect results data; etc. The BIO will be staffed a reasonable number 
of hours each day by professional U.S. Embassy representatives 
knowledgeable about the industry, market, and business practices in the 
region, as well as knowledgeable about all ITA services.
     Business counseling/assistance--Visits to exhibitor 
booths/meetings by post staff to provide specific company counseling, 
exchange information, advise on specific contacts, etc.
    4. Expanded Operational Support/Meeting Space--
     For government/industry group meetings/discussions, agency 
briefings, government-industry information exchanges, etc.
     For individual company matchmaking, delegation member 
meetings, and private meetings with government officials.
     For private counseling appointments with post, ITA/Trade 
Development (TD), and other government experts.
     For USG operations/coordination, inter/intra agency 
support, delegation coordination, etc.
     For industry/market briefing
     For specially arranged social events
    Meeting space may be combined where appropriate.
    5. Pre-show local host-country promotion/publicity to local 
industry buyers/distributors, calls, mailings, ads--general or 
highlighting U.S. exhibitors.
    6. Organizer use of Trade Fair Certification logo or other official 
air/defense show emblem as an endorsement or indication of an official 
qualifying/U.S. pavilion status.
    7. Embassy industry/market briefing for exhibitors on local 
regulations, business practices, market situation, etc.
    8. General or customized market research/trade data for exhibitor/
organizer use.
    9. Promotional/marketing support letters to potential exhibitors; 
Presidential/Secretarial letters for the organizer.
    10. Official reception or other government hospitality/introduction 
functions for exhibitors. (Funded by ticket sales and managed by post.)
    11. Embassy pre-show press releases; notice in post commercial 
newsletter to local industry and other official venues in-country or 
regionally.
    12. Official invitations to specified attendees for government/
organizer/exhibitor events, seminars, meetings, receptions, etc.,
    13. US&FCS domestic office network promotion/event information 
distribution.
    14. Pre-show notification to domestic offices to arrange counseling 
for exhibitors.
    15. US&FCS Washington based U.S. pre-show publicity--press 
releases; notices in Business America; to the National Association of 
State Development Agencies and National League of Cities; ITA Websites, 
STAT-USA, etc.
    16. Pre-show and at-show publicity/support from other regional U.S. 
embassies.
    17. Special briefings on standards, consortiums, regional 
regulations, etc.

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    18. ITA industry mailing lists to organizers.
    19. TD Aerospace Product Literature Center operations (funded by 
participant fees through the Trade Events Deposit Fund).
    20. Unified catalog/directory of all U.S. exhibitors with welcoming 
letters.
    21. Additional staffing (interns, translators, hosts) and overtime.
    22. Official identification/signage--emblems, flags, banners, 
agency logos, passes/tickets, badges, for ceremonies, meetings, etc., 
for reproduction or use when necessary.
    23. Travel beyond local commuting by staff or other government 
experts/officials.
    24. Locator service.
    25. Arranging U.S. sponsorship support/courtesy services; fair 
service facilitation.
    26. Post-show marketing follow-up activities--buyer matchmaking 
meetings with exhibitors, small group matchmaking tour to other cities 
in the region, or other specially arranged events.
    27. Assistance for firms/organizers with commercial show-related 
problems normally handled by private firms such as customs clearance, 
etc. if needed.

List C: What U.S. Show Organizers Should Provide

    1. The capability and experience to fully advertise, market, and 
recruit U.S. exhibitors and foreign visitors/buyers to air/defense 
trade shows.
    2. Ability to provide an attractive, high-quality U.S. Pavilion 
area (inside and outside.) --includes the capability and experience to 
organize/manage a U.S. Pavilion, contract for space, construct exhibit 
booths/stands, and provide related signage, decorations, utilities, 
services, etc.
    3. Adequate promotional plan that also targets New-To-Market and 
Small/Medium size firms.
    4. Cost-recovery fees, as appropriate.
    5. Space/booth for U.S. Government Business Information Office.
    6. Recruitment of at least 10 U.S. firms.
    7. A reliable contact to coordinate with the U.S. Government.
    8. Valid contract/agreement/letter for space with the fair 
authority/owner.
    9. Professional promotional literature
    10. Exhibitor directory.
    11. End of show surveys/data.
    12. Reasonable booth/stand pricing.
    13. Regular contact with local ITA program and U.S. Embassy staff
    13. Coordination with fair authority.
    14. Coordination with other U.S. show organizers when necessary.
    15. Reproduction of government logos and sponsorship identification 
when appropriate.
Mary Fran Kirchner,
Chairman, Air/Defense Show Review Committee, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Export Promotion Services, International Trade 
Administration.
Ellis R. Mottur,
Member, Air/Defense Show Review Committee, Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
for Technology & Aerospace Industries, International Trade 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-25249 Filed 9-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P