The Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act (House Bill 2 or HB2) was passed in North Carolina on March 23, 2016. Lenay Gore, senior director, meetings and tradeshows, for the American Public Transit Association provided the following input on their decision to hold the meeting in Charlotte after HB2 was signed..
The APTA Bus and Paratransit and Bus Roadeo was scheduled to take place in Charlotte May 12 – 18, 2016.
- As soon as it was enacted Twitter and social media blew up with demands that APTA cancel its conference and boycott the state.
- The majority of those calling for this were not our members or stakeholders.
- APTA held internal staff discussion to review all options … after contacting the hotels and convention center, all were holding us to our contracts (The convention center would allow us to postpone without penalty to our next open year, but if the law is not retracted, then it is moot).
- We have had an active diversity council for many years and part of this is group is GLBT task force that was established three years ago.
- We held several conference calls with the council and exhibitors for feedback and input.
- After thoughtful discussion we elected to move forward with the meeting.
ACTION STEPS
- March 31, first statement went to members and posted on the website allowing any to cancel their attendance with no penalty. All staff were allowed the option to not work the meeting on site as well.
- April 22, a second all member/attendee announcement went out and was posted on the website stating APTA’s diversity policy and practices and steps were taking in Charlotte to promote inclusion.
- May 2nd: 3 APTA staff travelled to Charlotte to meet with the mayor, head of the transit agency, Equality NC and the GLBT chamber of commerce.
- Equality NC and the chamber were offered tables in our registration area and exhibit hall to promote Inclusion and providing understanding of the law and the consequences.
- The Mayor who was already on the opening session program will include more on inclusion and how the law affects her citizens.
- The hotel staff would all were welcome APTA buttons to complement their all are welcome campaign.
- APTA designed and produced special buttons promoting our INCUSION and DIVERSITY as an industry.
- May 6 another email blast updating the program content of the conference to include:
- A diversity Listening Session, An Assembly session on Civil rights, updated our Walk and Roll event that celebrates good health and accessibility to include inclusion and diversity; opened our diversity council meeting to all attendees to encourage more participation in the dialogue. (Note: all these sessions were simulcast so all could participate).
INTERNAL THOUGHT PROCESS
- Potential financial impact by cancelling … important to message this was NOT why were elected to move forward with the event.
- Discussion on what if something like this happens again in another city where we are booked. Committee asked to monitor political climate and regulations/laws and report back to the meetings team so future locations will not be confirmed with controversial laws or pending legislation.
- The host agency has invested a lot of time and effort into the Roadeo ... and cancelling would be devastating to those who had worked so hard.
- Business members had non-refundable deposits on venues for their client events.
- We wanted to show support for the city who tried to do the right thing.
- We must keep communicating our message.
- If we canceled, would anyone notice a month later? We are not Bruce Springsteen.
- Website continually updated and constant communications from APTA to attendees and members.
END OF THE DAY
Even with travel bans and attendees who elected not to travel, attendance was higher than the year before. People who attended felt good supporting the city of Charlotte and GLBT community who live there. [This situation] opened a more open and honest discussion of our diversity and inclusion policies and sessions on this topic were added to our Rail Conference program. We were able to share our careful and thoughtful process with other groups struggling with the decision as to whether move forward or cancel their meeting in Charlotte.
Member feedback from our survey strongly supported our decision to hold the event.
FINAL THOUGHT/STATEMENT FROM APTA
“The City of Charlotte worked tirelessly with APTA to ensure our annual Bus & Paratransit Conference and International Bus Rodeo competition were among our most successful events in 2016. Although some potential attendees were unable to travel to North Carolina due to personal beliefs or their employers’ policies, this year’s bus display was APTA’s largest in many years—and total attendance exceeded the previous year. After more than a week in Charlotte, APTA and its members knew we had made the right choice … and for the right reasons.”
“APTA made the decision to continue working with Charlotte after thoughtful and thorough consideration. We knew our members, employees and outside stakeholders expected us to adhere to our association’s values. Thanks to the friendly character of the city, the welcoming business environment, and the inclusive and charitable actions of Charlotte’s leaders and residents, APTA members felt right at home. Charlotte not only made APTA look good, the city also made us proud to be here.”
“Every year APTA hosts numerous events in cities throughout North America. Rarely have we felt more welcomed, appreciated and supported than during our time in Charlotte. From city officials to hotel staff, convention center workers to local restaurateurs, transit operators to people on the street—everyone we met or worked with contributed to a truly enjoyable and successful stay. Some APTA members and staff who had never been to Charlotte even talked openly about relocating or retiring to “the Queen City”! Clearly, this is a great city for great events … and so much more.”
For even more related content, make sure to check out the July 2016 edition of Friday With Joan!
