[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 38039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15528]



[[Page 38039]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Corporation for Travel Promotion (dba Brand USA)

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of an opportunity for travel and tourism industry 
leaders to apply for membership on the Board of Directors of the 
Corporation for Travel Promotion.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is currently seeking applications 
from travel and tourism leaders from specific industries for membership 
on the Board of Directors of The Corporation for Travel Promotion 
(Board) (dba Brand USA). The purpose of the Board is to guide the 
Corporation for Travel Promotion on matters relating to the promotion 
of the U.S. travel and tourism industry, among other tasks.

ADDRESSES: Electronic applications may be sent to: [email protected]. 
Written applications can be submitted to Jennifer Pilat, Director, 
Office of Advisory Committees and Julie Heizer, Acting Director, Office 
of Travel and Tourism Industries, Room 4043, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Room 4043, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20230, telephone: 202-482-4501, email: [email protected].

DATES: All applications must be received by the Office of Advisory 
Committees by close of business on July 10, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Heizer, Acting Director, Office 
of Travel and Tourism Industries, Room 4043, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW., Washington, DC, 20230, telephone: 202-482-4904, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: The Travel Promotion Act (TPA) was signed into law by 
President Obama on March 4, 2010. The TPA established the Corporation 
for Travel Promotion (the Corporation), as a non-profit corporation 
charged with the development and execution of a plan to (A) Provide 
useful information to those interested in traveling to the United 
States; (B) identify and address perceptions regarding U.S. entry 
policies; (C) maximize economic and diplomatic benefits of travel to 
the United States through the use of various promotional tools; (D) 
ensure that international travel benefits all States and the District 
of Columbia, and (E) identify opportunities to promote tourism to rural 
and urban areas equally, including areas not traditionally visited by 
international travelers.
    The Corporation is governed by a board of directors, consisting of 
11 members with knowledge of international travel promotion and 
marketing, broadly representing various regions of the United States. 
The TPA directs the Secretary of Commerce (after consultation with the 
Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State) to appoint 
the board of directors for the Corporation for Travel Promotion.
    At this time, the Department will be selecting four individuals 
with the appropriate expertise and experience from specific sectors of 
the travel and tourism industry to serve on the Board as follows:
    (A) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience in the hotel 
accommodations sector;
    (B) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience in the 
restaurant sector;
    (C) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience as an 
official of a state tourism office; and
    (D) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience as officials 
of a city convention and visitors' bureau.
    To be eligible for Board membership, one must have international 
travel and tourism marketing experience and must also be a U.S. 
citizen. In addition, individuals cannot be federally registered 
lobbyists or registered as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents 
Registration Act of 1938, as amended.
    Those selected for the Board must be able to meet the time and 
effort commitments of the Board. Priority may be given to individuals 
with experience as a Chief Executive Officer or President (or 
comparable level of responsibility) of an organization or entity in the 
travel and tourism sector in the United States.
    Board members serve at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce 
(who may remove any member of the Board for good cause). The terms of 
office of each member of the Board appointed by the Secretary shall be 
3 years. Board members can serve a maximum of two consecutive full 
three-year terms. Board members are not considered Federal government 
employees by virtue of their service as a member of the Board and will 
receive no compensation from the Federal government for their 
participation in Board activities. Members participating in Board 
meetings and events will be paid actual travel expenses and per diem 
when away from their usual places of residence.
    To be considered for membership, please provide the following:
    1. Name, title, and personal resume of the individual requesting 
consideration; and
    2. A brief statement of why the person should be considered for 
membership on the Board. This statement should also address the 
individual's relevant international travel and tourism marketing 
experience and indicate clearly the sector or sectors enumerated above 
in which the individual has the requisite expertise and experience. 
Individuals who have the requisite expertise and experience in more 
than one sector can be appointed from only one of those sectors. 
Appointments of members to the Board will be made by the Secretary of 
Commerce.

    Dated: June 20, 2012.
Jennifer Pilat,
Director, Office of Advisory Committees.
[FR Doc. 2012-15528 Filed 6-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P