96-5918. Commerce Trade Fair Privatization: Private Sector Organization and Management of U.S. Exhibitor Pavilion in Tokyo Motor Show

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10432-10433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5918]




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Part II





Department of Commerce





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International Trade Administration



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Commerce Trade Fair Privatization: Private Sector Organization and 
Management of U.S. Exhibitor Pavilion in Tokyo Motor Show; Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 13, 1996 / 
Notices

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration
[Docket No. 960306059-6059-01]
RIN: 0625-XX06


Commerce Trade Fair Privatization: Private Sector Organization 
and Management of U.S. Exhibitor Pavilion in Tokyo Motor Show

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth a summary of the objectives and 
procedures for qualified U.S. firms to assume responsibility for 
recruiting, promoting, organizing, and managing a U.S. exhibitor 
presence at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo, Japan. This event was 
previously organized and managed by Commerce. In this context and 
throughout this notice, this transfer of responsibilities is referred 
to as ``privatization.''

DATES: These administrative procedures are effective on March 13, 1996.
    The deadline for receipt of applications from U.S. firms wishing to 
assume responsibility for recruitment, promotion, construction, and 
management of a U.S. exhibitor pavilion in the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show is 
April 19, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Trade Fair Certification Program, Room 2116, Export 
Promotion Services, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. 20230.

FOR A COPY OF THE SOLICITATION OR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: 
Paul Bucher, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2116, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. 20230. Tel: [phone]. 
Fax: [phone]
    Applicants may want to contact the U.S. Department of Commerce 
industry officer, previously responsible for organizing and managing 
the U.S. pavilion, and/or the trade fair proprietor about actual show 
dates, event specifics and logistics (see below).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In order to apply, interested firms must 
contact Commerce for a complete set of eligibility criteria, 
instructions, and an application. Applications must be received by 
Commerce by April 19, 1996.
    The collection of information is approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget, OMB Control Number 0625-0222. Persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.
    As part of its focus to increase exports, the National Export 
Strategy, dated September 30, 1993, calls for the Administration to 
reduce the number of trade events the U.S. Government {USG} organizes, 
encourages more private sector participation in the trade event 
process, and invites qualified private sector firms to bid for those 
events they desire to handle. While this strategy refers to all USG-
organized events, this notice is concerned only with the privatization 
of the Tokyo Motor Show to be held in October 1997, in Tokyo, Japan.
    As with shows under the Trade Fair Certification Program, private 
sector organizers in this privatization process assume the 
responsibilities of organizing and managing a U.S. pavilion in 
designated overseas trade fairs, in lieu of Commerce. Certification, 
via the privatization process, assures Commerce's recognition and 
support of these private sector efforts.
    Commerce does not provide any financial assistance to organizers or 
to exhibitors at these shows. As with the existing Trade Fair 
Certification Program, the selected organizer contributes $1,500 to 
assist in defraying Commerce expenses incurred in supporting the 
organizer and exhibitors.
    Organizers selected by Commerce are not representatives of the 
Department or the U.S. Government and are prohibited from making 
statements to that effect.
    Principal requirements and criteria of the privatization process 
are summarized below:
     The applicant must be a U.S. person. A ``U.S. person'' 
means a U.S. citizen, or an entity (such as a corporation, partnership, 
association or other entity) created under the laws of the United 
States or of any state, or the U.S. branch or agent of a foreign 
person. An officer of an American Chamber of Commerce, located in 
Japan, is eligible to submit an application. Such an applicant must 
meet the same criteria and perform the same requirements as a U.S. 
person. Applications will not be accepted from other foreign-based 
persons or entities.
     In order to qualify, all applications must be received by 
April 19, 1996.
     The selected U.S. pavilion organizer must offer the same 
space first to U.S. firms that participated in the 1995 show.
     Formation of a U.S. pavilion is required.
     Production of a catalog of U.S. exhibitors is required.
     The selected pavilion organizer must recruit a minimum of 
12 exhibitors.
     Selected organizers are required to send a representative 
to the show for its duration and staff an office or booth within the 
show.
     Trade association applicants cannot restrict their U.S. 
exhibitor recruitment campaign or exhibitor participation to 
association members only. Such applicants must acknowledge and agree to 
this condition.
     Commerce cannot guarantee that the foreign trade fair 
proprietor will agree to privatization of the U.S. pavilion in the 
subject event. Commerce will assist the selected U.S. pavilion 
organizer in its discussions with the foreign event proprietor, but it 
is the foreign event proprietor's decision to grant the necessary lease 
for exhibit space.
     Within 60 days notice of selection, the U.S. pavilion 
organizer must submit the necessary lease documentation.
     Pavilion organizers should note that the foreign event 
proprietor may opt to select its own agent in advance of Commerce's 
selection of a U.S. pavilion organizer. In such cases, Commerce will 
continue to offer its support to the U.S. pavilion organizer and event, 
but via the standard Trade Fair Certification Program, as prescribed in 
the Federal Register notice dated April 30, 1993, 58 FR 26116.
     Prior to selection of the U.S. pavilion organizer, 
Commerce reserves the right to withdraw an event from the privatization 
process if circumstances warrant Commerce's retention of the event. 
Also, following selection of the U.S. pavilion organizer, Commerce may 
withdraw its support of the U.S. pavilion organizer if Commerce 
determines that the U.S. pavilion organizer has not complied with the 
provisions outlined in this notice. Commerce also retains the option to 
directly organize and manage a pavilion of exhibitors under these 
circumstances.
     While the foreign event proprietor will be encouraged to 
offer the selected U.S. pavilion organizer leased space under the same 
conditions and rates that would be offered to Commerce, Commerce cannot 
guarantee it.
    The appropriate Commerce Officer should be contacted to discuss 
Commerce's activities and responsibilities as they relate to the U.S. 
pavilion in the Tokyo Motor Show. Commerce seeks applications from 
qualified firms, associations, or the local American Chamber of 
Commerce abroad to assume U.S. pavilion recruitment, promotion, 
organization and

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management functions in the Tokyo Motor Show:

Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo, Japan, October 1997
Industry: Autos, Auto Parts, and Auto Services Commerce contact for 
past event information: John White or Lori Seaman, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Room 4028, Washington, D.C. 20230, Tel: [phone], Fax: 
202/482-5872
Show Proprietor: Japan Motor Industrial Federation (JMIF), Attn: 
Executive Managing Director, Otemachi Building, 6-1, 1-chome, Otemachi, 
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone].

    Dated: February 14, 1996.
Mary Fran Kirchner,
Chairman, ITA Trade Events Board.
[FR Doc. 96-5918 Filed 3-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P