WRI 2021 in Chicago rescheduled to Oct. 18-21
WRI 2021, the annual Wheel Rail Interaction Conference conducted by Wheel Rail Seminars and presented by Trains Magazine, has been rescheduled to this fall. The event will now be held Oct. 18-21; the location, the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Ill., remains unchanged. Wheel Rail Seminars has been informed that all people wanting a COVID-19 vaccination will be able to receive one by early fall 2021. The event will continue to exercise all safety mitigation and protocols, and is committed to having a virtual attendance option. Those who have already registered need only visit this link for a hotel reservation and to show up for the scheduled seminars. The schedule includes a Rail Transit Seminar on Oct. 18; Principles of Wheel/Rail Interaction, Oct. 19; and the Heavy Haul Seminar, Oct. 20-21.
North American Rail Shippers reschedules meeting to Sept. 7-9 in Chicago
The North American Rail Shippers Association has postponed its 2021 annual meeting, set for Chicago, from May to September. The meeting will now be held Sept. 7-9 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. “The decision to reschedule was made to give us the best opportunity for an in-person event,” NARS President Tom Tisa said. “We are optimistic that we will be able to meet in Chicago in September.” Upcoming regional shipper association meetings include the Pacific Northwest Association of Rail Shippers, an online event March 3-4; the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers, March 10-11 in San Antonio, Texas; the Southeast Association of Rail Shippers, online April 12; the North East Association of Rail Shippers, online April 27-29; and the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers, July 12-13 in Lake Geneva, Wis.
NRC sets two March webinars
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association will offer two webinars to members in March: A March 3 event recapping rail ballot initiatives from the 2020 election, and a shortline CEO seminar on March 18. The March 3 event is scheduled to include Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard; Austin Capital Metro CEO Randy Clark; Josh Cohen, executive director, APTA Center for Transportation Excellence; and Eric Lausten, principal, Husch Brackwell Strategies. It is scheduled for 2-3 p.m. The CEO event will help rail contractors identify trends and forecasts for the industry, and learn how they can play a role going forward. It is set for 2-3 p.m. EST on March 18.
