[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 149 (Friday, August 4, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 36358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16486]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Corporation for Travel Promotion (dba Brand USA)

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
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 (Board) of the Corporation for Travel 
Promotion (dba Brand USA). The purpose of the Board is to guide the 
Corporation for Travel Promotion on matters relating to the promotion 
of the United States as a travel destination and communication of 
travel facilitation issues, among other tasks.

DATES: All applications must be received by the National Travel and 
Tourism Office by close of business on September 29, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Electronic applications may be sent to: [email protected]. 
Written applications can be submitted to Isabel Hill, Director, 
National Travel and Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, Mail 
Stop 10007, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. 
Telephone: 202.482.0140. Email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Heizer, Deputy Director, 
National Travel and Tourism Office, Mail Stop 10003, 1401 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC, 20230. Telephone: 202.482.4904. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: The Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA) was signed into 
law on March 4, 2010, and was amended in July 2010 and December 2014. 
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 (doing business as Brand USA) is governed by a 
Board of Directors, consisting of 11 members with knowledge of 
international travel promotion or 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.
    At this time, the Department will be selecting three 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 small 
business/retail;
    (B) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience in state 
tourism office; and
    (C) 1 shall have appropriate expertise and experience in travel 
distribution services.
    To be eligible for Board membership, individuals must have 
international travel and tourism marketing experience, be a current or 
former chief executive officer, chief financial officer, or chief 
marketing officer or have held an equivalent management position. 
Additional consideration will be given to individuals who have 
experience working in U.S. multinational entities with marketing 
budgets, and/or who are audit committee financial experts as defined by 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (in accordance with section 407 
of Pub. L. 107-204 [15 U.S.C. 7265]). Individuals must be U.S. 
citizens, and in addition, 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.
    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 
three (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 may be paid actual travel expenses and per diem 
when away from their usual places of residence by the Corporation.
    Individuals who want to be considered for appointment to the Board 
should submit:
    1. Name, title, and personal resume of the individual requesting 
consideration, including address, email address and phone number; and
    2. A brief statement of why the person should be considered for 
appointment to 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 for only one of those sectors. 
Appointments of members to the Board will be made by the Secretary of 
Commerce.
    3. An affirmative statement that the applicant is a U.S. citizen 
and further, is not required to register as a foreign agent under the 
Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, is also required.

    Dated: August 1, 2017.
Julie P. Heizer,
Deputy Director, National Travel and Tourism Office.
[FR Doc. 2017-16486 Filed 8-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P