ASCE has canceled the ASCE 2024 Convention in Tampa ahead of Tropical Storm Milton, projected to hit the west coast of Florida this week.
“We have to consider health, safety, and welfare above all else,” said ASCE President Marsia Geldert-Murphey. “This is not a decision we take lightly, because the annual convention is our flagship event. We have to prioritize safety of our members, speakers, and staff, as well as support the readiness of the community as they prepare for a major storm.”
The 2024 ASCE OPAL Gala, scheduled for Oct. 8, also is canceled.
ASCE’s Board of Direction met in Tampa on Saturday and Sunday. Board members and attendees who already arrived in Tampa will gather on Sunday evening for the induction of the Society’s new directors and officers – 2025 ASCE President Feniosky Pena-Mora among them – followed by a reception.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene (see the ASCE president’s statement here), we continue to rely on the expertise of civil engineers and strong standards to reduce our community’s vulnerability to damage and loss of life caused by natural hazards, as well as the importance of widespread adoption of up-to-date, modern building codes and standards,” Geldert-Murphey said.
ASCE consulted with the Tampa mayor’s office, NOAA, and local meteorologists before ultimately deciding to cancel the event and send messages to attendees to alter travel plans. The convention hotel sits near the water in an evacuation zone, and the city likely will be under an evacuation notice as soon as Tuesday. The situation was complicated by the fact that much of the Tampa area is still saturated by last week’s Hurricane Helene.
“While we’re all saddened to miss out on the chance to reconnect in person this week at our annual convention, we know this is the right choice for our attendees, the city of Tampa, and a number of our members who will be working on hurricane preparation and response efforts,” said ASCE Executive Director Tom Smith. “We will continue to look into ways to highlight the various elements of our convention program -- our awards, our sessions, and the OPAL awards – in the near future.”
