CHICAGO—December 12, 2024 (James Street Media Services)—More than 400 attendees have already registered for the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) Winter Meeting to be held January 14–16 in Schaumburg, Illinois at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel.

“We are happy to offer a new and expanded venue for our meeting this year,” says MARS President Matt O’Kray. “As always, this will be a great opportunity to network with industry peers and to prepare for a new year of change and growth. Our planning committee has done a great job, and I can’t thank them enough.”

The conference starts with a welcome reception on the evening of Tuesday, January 14; a full day on Wednesday, January 15; and a half-day on Thursday, January 16. The goods and services vendor exhibition will open Tuesday evening with the opening reception and will be open throughout the day on Wednesday and Thursday morning. The popular vendor exposition room, as well as sponsorship of the Winter meeting, is still available at www.mwrailshippers.com.

Featured presentations from top-level executives include:

• Christina Bottomley, VP Business Development & Real Estate, CSX
• Brandy D. Christian, CEO, Patriot Rail
• Katie Farmer, President & CEO, BNSF
• Larry Gross, President, Gross Transportation Consulting
• Anthony B. Hatch, ABH Consulting
• Ryan Higgins, Chief Commercial Officer, OmniTrax
• James Kornas, Executive Vice-President–Rail, Ozinga
• Patrick Lortie, Senior Vice-President and Chief Strategy Officer, CN
• Robert E. Primus, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board
• Kenny Rocker, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Union Pacific Railroad
• Paulina San Millan, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Intersect Illinois
• Jean Savage, CEO and President, Trinity Industries

Keynote speaker will be Dr. Chris Kuehl, Managing Director/Founder, Armada Corporate Intelligence to discuss economic trends and forecasts. 

The educational breakout sessions will be Railroading 201, Railroading 301, Searching for Talent is a Constant Recruiting Process, Goal Setting for 2025, Healthy Travel Choices for 2025, and Deeper Dive on the United States Economy.   

“In addition to the great programing we present every year, this year’s meeting will feature some new activities,” O’Kray said. “There will be added professional development elements, breakout sessions on goal setting and healthy nutritional habits, as well as an exercise class.”

The meeting registration fee is $380 until December 15. After that date, it is $430. The registration form and more information are available online at www.mwrailshippers.com.

ABOUT MARS
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.

Note to editors and reporters: Please let us know if you would like free registration to attend the meeting.

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