CHICAGO—April 8, 2025 (James Street Media Services)—The North American Rail Shippers Association (NARS) will host its annual meeting May 7–9, 2025 in Chicago. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register before prices increase on April 10 for this always-popular gathering of industry insiders. The theme for the meeting will be “A Time for Resilience.”

“With trade and business in a state of rapid change this meeting will be a great opportunity for leaders to take the pulse of the railroad industry,” said NARS President Kate Bourgeois. “With participants from all sectors—including shipping, regulatory, supplier, and carriers—the exchange of ideas and information will be beneficial to everyone who attends.”

This year’s meeting will feature high-level executives from large railroads, major shippers, and industry experts as well as Chicago’s own media sensation, Dilla Thomas. New this year will be a special tour and networking event on Wednesday, May 7 focusing on the history of Chicago and Chicago pizza, and a visit to three Chicago neighborhood pizzerias. 

NARS will also be presenting its 2025 scholarships to college students based on their academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and community service. Scholarship candidates typically represent a blend of traditional undergraduate students as well as some working on advanced degrees in fields associated with the transportation industry.

NARS Annual Meeting Details
Dates
Wednesday–Friday, May 7–9, 2025

Location
Swissôtel Chicago
323 East Upper Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois
Book online using the group rate of $289 until Tuesday, April 15, 2025 or our block is full.

Cost
$575 registration fee until April 9, 2025. On April 10, registration increases to $625.

Registration
• Online conference information and registration
• Email: nars@railshippers.com

• Phone: 872-212-4134

About The North American Rail Shippers Association
The North American Rail Shippers Association (NARS) is comprised of a network of five regional North American associations including the Pacific Northwest Association of Rail Shippers (PNWARS), the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS), the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers (SWARS), the Northeast Association of Rail Shippers (NEARS), and the Southeast Association of Rail Shippers (SEARS). Headquartered in the Chicago area, NARS brings together representatives from this network of more than 7,000 members of the rail shipping and railroad community in an annual forum, which enables open discussion of rail transportation issues. For more information, please visit the NARS website at www.railshippers.com.

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

MEDIA CONTACT
Bill Fahrenwald
James Street Associates
708-528-0681
bill@jamesstreet.net