2018-11362. U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board

AGENCY:

International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of an opportunity to apply for membership on the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce is currently seeking applications for membership on the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Board). The purpose of the Board is to advise the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the U.S. travel and tourism industry.

DATES:

Applications for immediate consideration for membership must be received by the National Travel and Tourism Office by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Friday, June 15, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Please submit application information by email to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brian Beall, National Travel and Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Room 10003, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Board) is established under 15 U.S.C. 1512 and under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. (FACA). The Board advises the Secretary of Commerce on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry, including ways to ensure the United States remains the preeminent destination for international travel and tourism. The Board acts as a liaison to the stakeholders represented by the membership, consulting with them on current and emerging issues in the industry to support sustainable growth in travel and tourism.

The National Travel and Tourism Office is accepting applications for Board members. Members shall be Chief Executive Officers or senior executives from U.S. companies, U.S. organizations, or U.S. entities in the travel and tourism sectors representing a broad range of products and services, company sizes, and geographic locations. For eligibility purposes, a “U.S. company” is a for-profit firm that is incorporated in the United States (or an unincorporated U.S. firm with its principal place of business in the United States) that is controlled by U.S. citizens or by other U.S. companies. A company is not a U.S. company if 50 percent plus one share of its stock (if a corporation, or a similar ownership interest of an unincorporated entity) is known to be controlled, directly or indirectly, by non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. companies. For eligibility purposes, a “U.S. organization” is an organization, including trade associations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), established under the laws of the United States, that is controlled by U.S. citizens, by another U.S. organization (or organizations), or by a U.S. company (or companies), as determined based on its board of directors (or comparable governing body), membership, and funding sources, as applicable. For eligibility purposes, a U.S. entity is a tourism-related entity that can demonstrate U.S. ownership or control, including but not limited to state and local tourism marketing entities, state government tourism offices, state and/or local government-supported tourism marketing entities, and multi-state tourism marketing entities.

Members of the Board will be selected in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidelines based on their ability to carry out the objectives of the Board as set forth in the Board's charter and in a manner that ensures that the Board is balanced in terms of geographic diversity, diversity in size of company or organization to be represented, and representation of a broad range of services in the travel and tourism industry. Each member shall serve for two years from the date of the appointment, and at the pleasure of the Secretary of Commerce.

Members serve in a representative capacity, representing the views and interests of their particular business sector, and not as Special Government employees. Members will receive no compensation for their participation in Board activities. Members participating in Board meetings and events will be responsible for their travel, living, and other personal expenses. Meetings will be held regularly and, to the extent practical, not less than twice annually, usually in Washington, DC.

To be considered for membership, please provide the following information by the Friday, June 15, 2018 deadline to the address listed in the ADDRESSES section:

1. The name and title of the individual requesting consideration.

2. A sponsor letter from the applicant on his or her company/organization/entity letterhead or, if the applicant is to represent a company/organization/entity other than his or her employer, a letter from the company/organization/entity to be represented, containing a brief statement of why the applicant should be considered for membership on the Board. This sponsor letter should also address the applicant's travel and tourism-related experience.

3. The applicant's personal resume.

4. An affirmative statement that the applicant is not required to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended.

5. If the applicant is to represent a company, information regarding the control of the company, including the stock holdings as appropriate, signifying compliance with the criteria set forth above.

6. If the applicant is to represent an organization, information regarding the control of the organization, including the governing structure, members, and revenue sources as appropriate, signifying compliance with the criteria set forth above.

7. If the applicant is to represent a tourism-related entity, the functions and responsibilities of the entity, and information regarding the entity's U.S. ownership or control, signifying compliance with the criteria set forth above.

8. The company's, organization's, or entity's size, product or service line and major markets in which the company, organization, or entity operates.

9. A brief statement describing how the applicant will contribute to the work of the Board based on his or her unique experience and perspective (not to exceed 100 words).

Brian Beall,

Designated Federal Officer, National Travel and Tourism Office.