CHICAGO—June 23, 2015 (James Street Media Services)—The program and speaker lineup for this year’s Summer Meeting of the Midwest Association of Railshippers (MARS) has sparked strong early registration.

 

"Because there is quite a bit of volatility in the freight rail market right now, I think people see value in the program MARS has put together. They know the experts delivering that program can help them navigate the current challenges in the freight rail industry,” said MARS President George Macko. “It’s no surprise that by June 1, registrations were already exceeding the pace of last years’ record attendance.”

 

MARS 245th meeting will be held July 13–14, 2015 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Among the key presenters and panelists are representatives from CF Industries, PLG Consulting, Nova Chemicals, ADM, Wisconsin Paper Council, Cargill, BNSF, CSX, GATX, Union Pacific, RW Baird, and GE.

 

In keeping with the meeting’s theme of “Shippers and Rails Adapt to Changing Markets,” the topics they will address include:

• Fixing the Railroad Before It Breaks: Proactive Planning

• North American Energy Revolution Still in Early Innings—What Implications for the Rail Market?

• Rail Equipment Demand Curve: Still Climbing?

• Synching Up Business Strategies with Changing Transportation Markets

• Mid-Year Economic Update: Does 2015’s Transport Stock Weakness Foreshadow an End to the U.S. Recovery?

 

The schedule on Monday, July 13, features the traditional Scholarship Golf Outing and reception, along with an evening cookout and entertainment. The full-day business meeting follows on Tuesday, July 14.

 

Monday and Tuesday, July 13–14, 2015

 

7036 Grand Geneva Way

Lake Geneva, WI  53147

(262) 248-8811

(800) 558-3417

 

Members $190; Non-members $215 (early registration ends June 28, 2015)

 

Reservations are required for the conference and golf outing. For information or to register:

• Online conference information and registration

• Email: mars@mwrailshippers.com

• Phone: (630) 513-6700

 

The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) is one of five regional North American associations under the North American Rail Shippers (NARS) national organization. Headquartered in the Chicago area, MARS provides an open forum for discussion and resolution of rail transportation issues by bringing railroads, shippers, receivers, and rail supply companies together twice annually for formal meetings in the Chicago area. To review the most recent meeting presentations, and to inquire about MARS membership, please visit the MARS website at www.mwrailshippers.com.