[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 114 (Friday, June 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35385-35386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15027]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No. 030529137-3137-01]


International Buyer Program Support for Domestic Trade Shows

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and call for applications for the FY 2005 International 
Buyer Program.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth objectives, procedures and application 
review criteria associated with the International Buyer Program (IBP) 
of the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), to support domestic trade 
shows. Selection is for the International Buyer Program for Fiscal Year 
2005 (October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005).
    The IBP 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 IBP emphasizes cooperation between the 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 DOC United 
States and Foreign Commercial Service (hereinafter referred to as the 
Commercial Service) in 74 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 32 shows for FY2005 from among applicants to the 
program. Shows selected for the IBP will provide a venue for U.S. 
companies interested in expanding their sales into international 
markets.

DATES: Applications must be received by August 12, 2003. Contributions 
(discussed below) are for shows selected and promoted during the period 
between October 1, 2004, and September 30, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Export Promotion Services/International Buyer Program, 
Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW., H2107, Washington, DC 
20230. Telephone: (202) 482-0481 (For deadline purposes, facsimile or 
email applications will be accepted as interim applications, to be 
followed by signed original applications).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Boney, Product Manager, 
International Buyer Program, Room 2107, 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; Fax: (202) 482-0115; 
E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commercial Service is accepting 
applications for the International Buyer Program (IBP) for events 
taking place between October 1, 2004, and September 30, 2005. A 
contribution of $8,000 for shows of five days or less is required. For 
shows more than five days in duration, or requiring more than one 
International Business Center, a contribution of $10,000 is required.
    Under the IBP, the Commercial Service seeks to bring together 
international buyers with U.S. firms by selecting and promoting, in 
international markets, U.S. domestic trade shows covering industries 
with high export potential. Selection of a trade show for the IBP is 
valid for one event, i.e., a trade show organizer

[[Page 35386]]

seeking selection for a recurring event must submit a new IBP 
application to be considered for each occurrence of the event. Even 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 32 events to 
support between October 1, 2004, through September 30, 2005. The 
Commercial Service will select those events that, in its judgment, most 
clearly meet the Commercial Service's statutory mandate to promote U.S. 
exports, especially those of small and medium size enterprises and that 
best meet the selection criteria articulated below.
    Successful show organizer applicants will be required to enter into 
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the DOC. The MoU constitutes 
an agreement between the DOC and the show organizer specifying which 
responsibilities are to be undertaken by DOC as part of the IBP and, in 
turn, which responsibilities are to be undertaken by the show 
organizer. Anyone who requests information regarding applying will be 
sent a copy of the MoU along with the application package. The 
responsibilities to be undertaken by DOC will be carried out by the 
Commercial Service.
    The Department selects trade shows to be IBP partners that it 
determines to be leading international trade shows appropriate for 
participation by U.S. exporting firms and for promotion in overseas 
markets by U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Selection as an IBP partner 
does not constitute a guarantee by the U.S. Government of the show's 
success. IBP partnership status 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 that are either first-time or horizontal 
(non-industry specific) events will not be considered.
    General Selection Criteria: The Department will select shows to be 
IBP partners that, in the judgment of the Department, best meet the 
following criteria:
    (a) Export Potential: The trade show promotes products and services 
from U.S. industries that have high export potential, as determined by 
DOC sources, e.g., Commercial Service 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) U.S. Content of Show Exhibitors: Trade shows with exhibitors 
featuring a high percentage of U.S. products or products with a high 
degree of U.S. content will be preferred. To be considered ``U.S.'', 
products and services to be exhibited must be produced or manufactured 
in the U.S., or if produced or manufactured outside of the U.S., the 
products or services must contain more than 50% U.S. content and must 
be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm.
    (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 or sector.
    (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 U.S. exhibitors should be new-
to-export or seeking to expand sales into additional international 
markets.
    (f) Overseas Marketing: There has been a demonstrated effort 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. Planned cooperation with Visit USA Committees 
overseas is desirable.
    (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 to fulfill the program's goals 
and to adhere to target dates set out in the MoU and the event 
timetable, both of which are available from the program office (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION section above 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 MoUs with for-profit show organizers and other groups 
(partners) under the provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural 
Exchange Act of 1961 ((MECEA), as amended (22 U.S.C. Section 2455(f)) 
MECEA allows the Commercial Service to accept contribution of funds and 
services from firms for the purposes of furthering its mission. The 
statutory program authority for the Commercial Service to conduct the 
International Buyer Program is 15 U.S.C. 4724.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the 
information collection requirements of the application to this program 
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3512 et seq.) (OMB Control No. 0625-0151). 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.

Don Huber,
Acting Director, Office of Trade Event Programs, U.S. and Foreign 
Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, Department of 
Commerce.
[FR Doc. 03-15027 Filed 6-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P