NEARS Reschedules Spring Conference
Written by Andrew Corselli
NEARS announced that its Spring Conference was moved to June 3-5, 2020, with more information coming out over the next few weeks.
“We know that this may not be the best time to commit to a conference when there is so much uncertainty out there,” NEARS noted. “All we ask is please pencil us in, and consider us for June. You may be looking to travel and get back to work in June, and we want you to know that we will be here for you.”
In addition, NEARS said that it has also rescheduled its Dinner Train in the Grand Bellevue on the Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad for Tuesday, June 2. Boarding begins at 5:30 p.m., and departs promptly at 6 p.m. It will be approximately a 2.5-hour round-trip journey. The sun is scheduled to set during the end of the trip.
The menu is the following (please choose entree when you register):
Beef Entree: Rosemary Rubbed Beef Tenderloin
Chicken Entree: Lightly Breaded Parmesan Chicken Breast
Fish Entree: Baked Lemon Poppy Cod
Entrees are served with Rice Medley and garnished with Chef’s Choice Vegetable, and Tiramisu for dessert. There will be a cash bar. The cost of the train ticket and dinner is $69, which includes gratuity.
Friends and Family Program
NEARS is offering a special package for Friends and Family to be able to benefit from the NEARS Conference as well as enjoy all of the fun of Newport.
“For $150, your friend or family member may participate in all NEARS events, including the two hosted cocktail receptions, breakfast on Thursday and Friday Morning, and lunch on Thursday,” NEARS said. “We also have a special event on Thursday specifically for you!”
The special event is a trip to Saltwater Studio, for a unique artistic opportunity of Marine Botanical/Seaweed Pressings, using native seaweed and organic materials sourced from the coastal environment. Seaweed pressing has a rich history with ties to the Victorian Era and Newport. You will learn the history of seaweed pressing and make your own artistic creation to take home with you. Lunch will also be included in this outing.
Spring Conference Agenda:
Tuesday June 2, 2020
17:30 Newport Dinner Train, Early Boarding
18:00 Newport Dinner Train, Depart Station
Wednesday June 3, 2020
15:00 Registration Opens
17:30 The Joseph & Eileen Gearin Networking Reception
Networking Reception Sponsored By GeoMetrix
19:00 Dinner On Your Own in Fabulous Newport
Thursday June 4, 2020
07:00 Breakfast Starts (Available until 08:15)
Breakfast Sponsored By Curry Rail Services
07:30 Registration Re-Opens
08:15 Welcome to NEARS, Safety Briefing and Housekeeping
Dennis Wilmot, President & CEO, Iron Horse Logistics Group
John Meyers, Secretary, NARS
08:30 The Tony and Jason Show – Town Hall Style, including Cowen Survey
Introduction: Dennis Wilmot, President & CEO, Iron Horse Logistics Group
Tony Hatch, Principal, ABH Consulting
Jason Seidl, Managing Director, Cowen & Company
09:30 Railroading into the Next Decade – Strategic Development
Introduction: Todd Moulton, Senior Account Manager, CSX
Tom Tisa, Head of Business Development, CSX
10:15 Networking Break & Vendor Fair
Break Sponsored By AMTR
10:45 Railroad Equipment Panel – Resource Trends and Perspectives
Moderator: Brian Smalley, Sr. Director Marketing & Sales, National Steel Car
P. Leigh Scott, Sr. VP – Marketing & Sales, National Steel Car
Paddy O’Neill, Sr. Director Equipment Planning, Norfolk Southern
John Gallaher, Sr VP, Industrial Sales and Leasing, TrinityRail
NOON NEARS Networking Lunch and Vendor Fair
Lunch Sponsored By AMTR
13:00 Regional Railroads Have the Goods
Introduction: Michael Clements, VP Marketing, Pan Am Railways
David Fink, President, Pan Am Railways
13:45 The CMQ Railway – Under CP Rail, What Does the Future Hold?
Introduction: Erica Breiterman, Global Logistics Lead, AdvanSix Inc.
David Colter, President/CEO, GAC Chemical Corp.
Coby Bullard, VP Sales & Marketing – Merchandise, Energy,
Chemicals & Plastics at Canadian Pacific Railway
14:30 Networking Break and Vendor Fair
Break Sponsored By AMTR
15:00 – The Jim and Josh Show – The Northeast from a Journalist’s Perspective
Introduction: Don Cameron, Director of Sales, Celtic Intermodal
Jim Blaze, Journalist, FreightWaves & Railway Age
Joshua Davidson, Editor, Atlantic Northeast Rails & Ports
16:00 Cowen Short Survey Wrap-Up
Jason Seidl, Managing Director, Cowen & Company
17:30 The Joseph & Eileen Gearin Networking Reception
Networking Reception Sponsored By GeoMetrix
19:00 Dinner On Your Own In Fabulous Newport
FRIDAY JUNE 5TH, 2020
07:00 Special Networking Breakfast Starts (Available Until 08:15)
Networking Breakfast Sponsored By TBA
08:15 A Special Breakfast – Tony Marquis, Senior VP Operations – East CP Railway (Retired)
Introduction: Erica Breiterman, Global Logistics Lead, AdvanSix
Tony Marquis, Senior VP Operations – East CP Railway (Retired)
09:15 Short Line Railroading Today in the Northeast
Introduction: Todd Hunter, Director of Marketing, North Shore Railroad Co.
Chuck Baker, President at American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association
10:15 Closing Remarks and William J. Donovan Memorial Drawing
