Take a Virtual Trip to MARS on Inauguration Day

The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) is presenting its annual Winter Meeting as a half-day online session on the afternoon of Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2021. The meeting will run from 1–5:15 p.m. CST (2 – 6:15 p.m. EST). All presentations will be live, and the speakers will field questions.

“Our highest priority is the health and safety of our members, so MARS decided that hosting a virtual Winter Meeting was the safest and most prudent choice,” said President Stefan Loeb, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Watco Companies. “A concentrated meeting with an all-star agenda provides the best opportunity for creating value for our membership in these unprecedented times.”

Loeb said the MARS Executive Board reviewed evaluations from recent meetings “to determine the speakers and topics that were of highest interest.” The Jan. 20 meeting will feature:

• Keith Creel, President and CEO, Canadian Pacific.

• Katie Farmer, incoming President and CEO, BNSF.

• Timothy Quinlan, Senior Economist, Wells Fargo Securities LLC.

• Paul Titterton, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Rail, North America, GATX Corp.

• Tony Hatch, President, ABH Consulting.

The Winter Meeting is available to all MARS members who have paid their 2021 dues. Annual dues are $25. Registration and information are available online.

Typically, the MARS Winter Meeting draws more than 800 attendees. “”While we wish we could meet in person this January under normal circumstances, we believe this amended format and agenda confirms MARS’ reputation for hosting the highest quality and best-value programs, even during a pandemic,” said Loeb. “We hope all can join us virtually in January.”

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, visit the MARS website.