ASME Statement on North Carolina’s HB2 Legislation

NEW YORK, May 24, 2016 – ASME has received numerous inquiries related to its stance regarding the passage of HB2 by North Carolina’s legislature and how it impacts the fair and equal treatment of participants in ASME events.   

ASME stands for diversity, inclusion and safety for all who look to engineering and its benefits for the world.  ASME also stands strongly in support of diversity and inclusion in the STEM professions, in STEM education, and in our wider world.  ASME opposes any discriminatory laws.

ASME currently has three conferences scheduled to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina including Power and Energy / ICONE 24 (June 26-30, 2016); AM3D/IDETC/CIE (Aug 21-24, 2016); and Turbo Expo / Power and Energy 2017 (June 25-30, 2017).  Following the advice and lead of many in the Charlotte, NC hospitality community who oppose HB2, ASME will hold these meetings as scheduled. Moreover, ASME has reached out to contracted facilities to ensure that all attendees are treated as fairly as possible.

Going forward ASME will negotiate for the inclusion of contract clausesin their conference contracts that will provide latitude to the Society to respond appropriately and decisively in the event that new legislation like that recently adopted by the State of North Carolina is enacted in other places where ASME does business.

About ASME
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world. For more information visit www.asme.org

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