CHICAGO – The North American Rail Shippers association annual meeting, scheduled for Sept. 7-9 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, now will feature presentations from five Class I railroad chief executives and the president of Genesee & Wyoming’s North American operations.
CSX Transportation CEO Jim Foote has been added to the agenda, along with G&W’s Michael Miller.
Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz, current chairman of the Association of American Railroads, will kick off the conference as keynote speaker on Sept. 8. BNSF Railway CEO Katie Farmer will participate in a fireside chat, followed by an update from Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman. Bruce Chinn, CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical Co., will provide a shipper perspective, followed by a shortline perspective from G&W’s Miller.
American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association President Chuck Baker will discuss transportation regulation and legislation, followed by a Women With Vision panel featuring Kate Luce, CEO of Mississippi Export Railroad; Barbara Wilson, CEO of shortline holding company RailUSA; Teri Zimmerman-Reynolds, managing director of Ray-Mont Logistics; and Anna Lea Moore, vice president of economic development for the North Carolina Railroad.
On Sept. 9, Foote will be the keynote speaker. Independent rail analyst Anthony B. Hatch will speak, as well, followed by a merger update from Canadian National CEO JJ Ruest and Kansas City Southern CEO Pat Ottensmeyer.
An early registration discount is available through Aug. 15. Registration, hotel reservations, sponsorship opportunities, and more information is available at the NARS website.
Noticeably absent is Keith Creel. Here is what I’d like to see: Prior to opening day of this meeting STB rules against CN+KCS.