E7-19354. 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: [phone]; Facsimile: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail] (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 [phone]; Fax: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail].

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 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.) (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.