ASME Leaders Convene for 2026 Spring Meetings and Congressional Outreach Day

On April 21, 2026, members from the 2026 ASME Industry Advisory Board (IAB) and Board of Governors (BoG) convened in Washington, D.C. for spring meetings and an opportunity to meet with congressional representatives on Capitol Hill to advance ASME’s mission. Established in 1987, the IAB advises ASME on strategic initiatives by conveying industry needs, supporting industry‑focused efforts, and sharing expert insights to ensure alignment with future industry demands.  

Acting as a bridge between industry and Congress, the ASME Global Public Affairs team organized over 50 meetings connecting members directly with lawmakers on policy issues affecting engineering communities. The ASME Washington Visitation program covers policy topics impacting engineering students and professionals, including global developments such as AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and building resilient infrastructure. The program includes perspectives from a multitude of engineering industries, educational institutions, and research partners.  

The group specifically asked members of Congress to support expanding pathways to STEM careers and other technical career fields in order to grow a highly skilled and technically diverse workforce. They cited ASME’s Community College Engineering Pathway (CCEP) program as a successful example of advancing workforce readiness for next-generation technologies and systems – a program effort that requires partnerships across industry, academia, and government.  

The following day, Executive Director/CEO Tom Costabile, President Lester Su, and IAB Chair Joseph Budzinski welcomed attendees of the 2026 IAB Spring Meeting, which included ASME’s Board of Governors, staff, volunteers, and influential speakers. The seminars highlighted how disruptive global trends, from AI to advanced manufacturing, are poised to influence ASME’s strategic priorities.   

“The sessions ahead will focus on applying your expertise to a world that is shaped by new technologies, shifting regulations, and changing market dynamics,” said Su. “In response to these global changes, ASME continues to engage across borders, standards domains, and engineering disciplines. That work is strengthened by the insight and involvement of the Industry Advisory Board, the Board of Governors, and our dedicated volunteers and staff.”  

Attendees heard from Stephen Ezell, Vice President of Global Innovation Policy for Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), with perspective on trends in global competition and investment in technologies like AI, quantum, and other critical and emerging technologies. The meeting also featured an energy seminar from Marcelino Gomez, a mechanical engineer and founder of PIPELINEBRAZIL, in which he shared his guidance on Brazil’s energy landscape, and opportunities for U.S. industry to expand partnerships in South America.  

Finally, Dr. Jean-Paul Allain, Director of the Office of Fusion at the US Department of Energy, provided an update on national fusion energy and plasma science research priorities. Under the new Office of Fusion created last year, Dr. Allain is tasked with expanding the DOE’s mission to close critical science and technology gaps and strengthen coordination across partners in fusion energy through the DOE’s fusion science and technology roadmap, including key standards and workforce development challenges strongly aligned with ASME community expertise.  

The event highlighted ASME’s role in translating cross‑industry, global perspectives into informed policy dialogue on Capitol Hill. Follow ASME on LinkedIn for more from the week’s meetings and highlights from congressional visits.