2013-21271. 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.

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 and communication of travel facilitation issues, among other tasks. On July 24, 2013, we published in the Federal Register a “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” (78 FR 44531), announcing membership opportunities on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Travel Promotion. The application period closed on August 9, 2013. We are now reopening the application period to solicit additional applications. This notice supplements the notice of July 24, 2013. Interested parties who have already applied in response to that Federal Register notice do not need to re-apply.

ADDRESSES:

Electronic applications may be sent to: [e-mail]. Written applications can be submitted to Isabel Hill, Director, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce, Mail Stop 10003, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. Telephone: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].

DATES:

All applications must be received by the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries by close of business on September 6, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Julie Heizer, Deputy Director, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, Mail Stop 10003, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC, 20230. Telephone: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background: The Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (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.

On July 24, 2013, we published in the Federal Register a “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” (78 FR 44531), announcing membership opportunities on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Travel Promotion. The application period closed on August 9, 2013. We are now reopening the application period to solicit additional applications. This notice supplements the notice of July 24, 2013. Interested parties who have already applied in response to that Federal Register notice do not need to re-apply.

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) One shall have appropriate expertise and experience in the attractions or recreations sector;

(B) One shall have appropriate expertise and experience in the passenger air sector;

(C) One shall have appropriate expertise and experience in immigration law and policy, including visa requirements and United States entry procedures; and

(D) One shall have appropriate expertise in the inter-city passenger railroad business.

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 may 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 résumé of the individual requesting consideration, including address and phone number; 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 for only one of those sectors. Appointments of members to the Board will be made by the Secretary of Commerce.

Dated: August 27, 2013.

Julie P. Heizer,

Acting Director, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.