Leadership Letter
July-August 2023
ASK COUNSELOR TARA
ASCE’s General Counsel Tara Hoke responds to legal questions posed by Sections and Branches here each month. Send Tara an email with your question.
How can we ensure event venues are sustainable?
With prominent placement in ASCE’s strategic priorities, in the Code of Ethics, and in our technical seminars and other activities, it is clear that ASCE considers sustainability to be of critical importance to the practice of engineering. But is it likewise a key consideration in your selection of locations for meetings and events?

Attendees at ASCE’s most recent Board of Direction meeting may have heard an interesting discussion about health and welfare-focused criteria for selection of hotels and venues that included a discussion about sustainability. While some sustainability language has been included in the Society’s hotel and event contracts for years, ASCE is now seeking additional information about sustainability and other topics at the initial search stage, hoping to make decisions about our events that best align with ASCE’s professional commitment to sustainable practices.

If you are also interested in seeking similar information, here are some questions that you could include in your requests for proposals and/or meeting site inquiries:

  • Is your facility certified by, or does it participate in, any formal sustainability program?
  • What energy-efficient practices do you have in place; e.g., LED lighting, occupancy sensors, etc.?
  • What are your recycling practices?
  • Do you have electronic charging stations and/or bike storage nearby? Do you support alternative modes of transportation?
  • How do you handle food waste? Do you have practices in place to reduce or compost food waste?
  • Are your guest service packages sustainable? For example, water in glass pitchers vs. bottled water, reusable vs. disposable cups and dinnerware, condiments in bulk?
  • Do you use digital signage vs. throwaway materials?
  • What does your facility do to conserve water?
  • Are your employees educated on sustainability practices?
  • Do you choose suppliers and providers that support sustainable practices?

ASCE General Counsel Tara Hoke responds to legal questions posed by Sections and Branches here each month. Send Tara an email with your question.