(The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers issued the following on November 19, 2009.)
WAYNE, Ill. — The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS), one of five regional associations under the umbrella of the North American Rail Shippers Association, will host a two-day meeting on Wednesday, January 13 and Thursday, January 14, 2010 at the Oak Brook Marriott in Oak Brook, Illinois. This will mark the 234th meeting of MARS.
“Since MARS was formed in 1924, an impressive group of distinguished thought-leaders in the transportation industry have come together to discuss current challenges and explore potential solutions,” said MARS president Craig Longardner. “In that spirit, representatives of railroads, shippers, receivers, car services, and government leaders are encouraged to join us for two days of dynamic presentations in January.”
The theme of the 2010 January meeting is “Recovery Challenges in 2010.” Joe Szabo, director, Federal Railroad Administration, is slated to deliver the keynote on Wednesday, January 13. Also on the 13th, MARS will host a joint luncheon with the Chicago Transportation Club.
During the two-day meeting, other speakers will include Charles Moorman, CEO of Norfolk Southern Railway; Allen Roach, president of North American Rail Shippers Association; Jim Giblin of Trans Systems; Rick Grossman of First Union Rail; Jeff Harris of Norfolk Southern; consultant Charles Allen; Denny Miller, president of Iowa Interstate Railroad; Larry Davis, vice president of Paducah & Louisville Railroad; and Dave Long, vice president of the INDR.
The program also includes two joint presentations: Scott Grail of American Honda Motors Corporation and Charles Peterson of Rail America; Paul Vanderboegh of Whirlpool Corporation and Patrick Ottensmeyer of the KCS. Other slated guests include Ken Hoexter or Merrill Lynch, Richard Timmons of ASLRRA, and Henry Lampe of the CSS&SB Railroad. Our speakers will share updates on legislation, rail fleets, the CREATE project, issues and concerns of the shortline railroads, as well as rail success stories highlighting the partnership between railroads and two preeminent domestic manufacturers.
Please register for the conference online at www.railshippers.com, and click on “Midwest”. To make hotel reservations, call 630-850-5555.
About The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers
The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) is headquartered in the Chicago area. The organization’s objective is: to provide an open forum for resolving transportation and car supply problems, coupled with programs designed to educate and inform the membership in areas of railroad operating practices; spotlight new innovations in transportation and legislative matters. General membership comes from the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, as well as the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Meetings are held twice a year, in January and July. Dues are $25 per year.