NARS to Explore Opportunities, Challenges at Annual Meeting
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor“Opportunities & Challenges in the Rail Industry” is the theme of the North American Rail Shippers Association’s 2021 Annual Meeting, to be held Sept. 7-9 in Chicago.
The NARS meeting agenda is still being finalized, but two Class I railroad CEOs, Union Pacific’s Lance Fritz and CSX’s Jim Foote, are slated to deliver the keynote addresses on Sept. 8 and 9, respectively.
Among the other presentations:
• Fireside Chat: BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer
• Surface Transportation Board Update: STB Chairman Martin Oberman
• Rail Shipper Perspective: Bruce Chinn, CEO, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC
• Short Line Perspective: Michael Miller, President-North America, Genesee & Wyoming
• Transportation Regulation and Legislation Update: Chuck Baker, President, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association
• Women With Vision Panel: Kate Luce, President and CEO, Mississippi Export Railroad (Moderator); Barbara Wilson, President and CEO, RailUSA, LLC; Teri Zimmerman-Reynolds, Managing Director, Ray-Mont Logistics America; and Anna Lea Moore, Vice President-Economic Development, North Carolina Railroad
• Analyst Update: Tony Hatch, ABH Consulting
• Merger Update: JJ Ruest, President and CEO, CN; and Pat Ottensmeyer, President and CEO, Kansas City Southern
The meeting—which will also include economic update and leadership perspective sessions—will take place at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, located at 301 E. North Water Street. The cost to attend is $525 by Aug. 15 or $595 after that date. Registration can be done online, by phone at 872-212-4134 or via email: [email protected].
“Our high-level line-up of rail and shipper CEOs will give the NARS audience key insights into how the challenges posed by today’s dynamic supply chain environment also provide many new opportunities for everyone in the industry,” NARS President Tom Tisa said.
The NARS 2021 Annual Meeting will be held in conjunction with the Traffic Club of Chicago’s Annual Dinner and golf outing.
