[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 189 (Monday, October 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55745-55747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19354]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice and Call for Applications for the International Buyer 
Program for the Period January 1, 2009 Through December 31, 2009

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and call for applications for the International Buyer 
Program for the period January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice sets forth objectives, procedures and application 
review criteria associated with support for domestic trade shows by the 
International Buyer Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). 
This announcement covers selection for International Buyer Program 
participation for Calendar Year 2009 (January 1, 2009 through December 
31, 2009).
    The International Buyer Program (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 International 
Buyer Program 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 more than 70 countries representing the United States' 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 40 shows for the January 1, 2009 through December 31, 
2009 period 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 show organizer applicants will be required to enter into a 
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DOC. The MOA 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 requesting application information will be sent a 
sample copy of the MOA along with the application and a copy of this 
Federal Register Notice. The responsibilities to be undertaken by DOC 
will be carried out by the Commercial Service.

DATES: Applications must be received within 60 days after the 
publication date of this Federal Register Notice.

ADDRESSES: International Buyer Program, Global Trade Programs, U.S. and 
Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW., HCHB 2107, 
Washington, DC 20230. Telephone: (202) 482-4403; Facsimile: (202) 482-
0872; e-mail: [email protected] (for deadline purposes, 
facsimile and e-mail applications will be accepted as interim 
applications, to be followed by signed original applications to be 
received within five (5) business days after the application deadline.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Klingelhut, Acting Program 
Manager, International Buyer Program, HCHB 2002, Global Trade Programs, 
U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th & Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. Telephone (202) 482-4403; Fax: (202) 
482-0871; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commercial Service is accepting 
applications for the International Buyer Program for events taking 
place between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009. A participation 
fee 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 participation fee of $14,000 is 
required. For shows ten days or more in duration, and/or requiring more 
than two International Business Centers, the participation fee will be 
negotiated, but shall not be less than $19,500.
    Under the IBP, the Commercial Service seeks to bring together

[[Page 55746]]

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 is valid for one 
event, 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. Even if the event occurs more than once in the 12-month 
period covered by this announcement, the trade show organizer must 
submit a separate application for each event.
    The Commercial Service will select approximately 40 events for 
support between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. 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.
    The Department selects trade shows to be International Buyer 
Program 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 International Buyer Program partner does not constitute 
a guarantee by the U.S. Government of the show's success. International 
Buyer Program 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 Commercial Service will select 
shows to be International Buyer Program partners that, in the judgment 
of the Commercial Service, best meet the following criteria:
    (a) Intellectual Property Rights Protection: The trade show 
organizer includes in the terms and conditions of its exhibitor 
contracts provisions for the protection of intellectual property rights 
(IPR); has procedures in place at the trade show to address IPR 
infringement, which, at a minimum, provides information to help U.S. 
exhibitors procure legal representation during the trade show; and 
agrees to assist DOC in reaching and educating U.S. exhibitors on the 
Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!), IPR protection measures 
available during the show, and the means to protect IPR in overseas 
markets, as well as in the United States.
    (b) 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, available through the Web site, http://www.export.gov).
    (c) 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.
    (d) Scope of the Show: The event must offer a broad spectrum of 
U.S. made products and services for the subject industry. Trade shows 
with a majority of U.S. firms as exhibitors are given priority.
    (e) 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. Generally, to have ``U.S. 
content'' products and services to be exhibited should be produced or 
manufactured in the United States; or, (ii) if produced or manufactured 
outside of the United States, be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm 
and have U.S. content representing at least 51 percent of the value of 
the finished product or service being exported. U.S.-sourced inputs 
that may be considered as contributing to U.S. content, to the extent 
that they are incorporated into the finished product or service being 
exported, may include but are not limited to: Materials; components; 
packaging; labor; production equipment and factory overhead; research & 
development; design; intellectual property; warehousing; distribution; 
sales; administration & management; advertising; and marketing and 
promotion.
    (f) 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.
    (g) 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 (NTE) or seeking to expand their sales into additional export 
markets.
    (h) 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. For more information on Visit USA 
Committees go to http://www.tia.org/marketing/visit_usa_committees.html.)
    (i) Logistics: The trade show site, facilities, transportation 
services, and availability of accommodations at the site of the 
exhibition must be capable of accommodating large numbers of attendees 
whose native language will be other than English.
    (j) Cooperation: The applicant demonstrates a willingness to 
cooperate with the Commercial Service to fulfill the program's goals 
and adhere to the target dates set out in the MOA and in the event 
timetables, both of which are available from the program office (see 
the 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.
    (k) Delegation Incentives: Show organizers should list or identify 
a range of incentives to be offered to delegations and/or delegation 
leaders recruited by the Commercial Service overseas posts. Examples of 
incentives to international visitors and to organized delegations 
include, but are not limited to: Waived or reduced admission fees; 
Special events, such as receptions, meetings with association 
executives, briefings, and site tours; and complimentary accommodations 
for leaders.
    Legal Authority: The Commercial Service has the legal authority to 
enter into MOAs with show organizers (partners) under the provisions of 
the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (MECEA), as 
amended (22 U.S.C. sections 2455(f) and 2458(c)). MECEA allows the 
Commercial Service to accept contributions 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. 
3501 et seq.)

[[Page 55747]]

(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.

John Klingelhut,
Acting Program Manager, International Buyer Program, U.S. and Foreign 
Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department 
of Commerce.
 [FR Doc. E7-19354 Filed 9-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P