Save the date for the AARS 124th Annual Meeting, July 26-28, 2021 in Chicago right on Wacker Dr. near Michigan Ave. at the Swissotel!
NOTE: Due to issues related to COVID-19, the 2020 Annual Meeting has been canceled.
The 2021 meeting will open with a reception on July 26 at 5:00 p.m.
AARS will host the Progressive Railroading Rising Stars Award Dinner as part of the AARS Annual Meeting on July 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Registration to the AARS Annual Meeting includes a ticket to the Rising Stars dinner. For more information about the Rising Stars dinner, visit http://www.progressiverailroading.com/risingstars/about.asp
The meeting program will continue July 27 at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude on July 28 at 11:00 a.m.
Registration will open in January, 2021.
Golf Outing: On July 28, the AARS will hold its annual golf outing to benefit the AARS Scholarship Fund. More information to come.
Hotel Information
The meeting will be held in downtown Chicago at the Swissotel. Reservation information to come.
AGENDA
The agenda for the 124th Annual Meeting July 26-28, 2021 is to be published beginning in January, 2021.
Below is the agenda from the 123rd Annual Meeting in Norfolk, VA to provide you with an idea of a typical AARS Annual Meeting. Learn more about the 2019 meeting proceedings by viewing our AARS Journal coverage of the meeting by clicking here.
Monday, July 22
Industry Tour of Norfolk Harbor! 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tour Sponsored by: 
5:00 pm Opening Reception and Technical Showcase
6:30 pm Progressive Railroading Rising Stars Awards and Dinner
Tuesday, July 23
7:00 am Continental Breakfast and Technical Showcase sponsored by 
8:00 am Keynote Speaker
Jim Squires, President, CEO & Executive Chairman, Norfolk Southern
9:00 am Break in Technical Showcase
9:30 am Regional Perspective
David Gooden, Division Superintendent, Norfolk Southern
10:15 am Rising Stars Panel: Achieving Success in the Rail Industry
Kelley Carr, Sr. Manager – Positive Train Control, Safety, Compliance & Training, Amtrak
Scott Schiemann, Chief Engineer, Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad
James Schwichtenberg, Vice President, Chief Safety Officer, CSX
11:45 am Break in Technical Showcase
12:00 Annual Industry Luncheon & Lantern Awards
Charge to Superintendents
Ed Harris, EVP Operations, CSX
1:30 Onboarding a Shortline
Stefan Loeb, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, Watco Companies
John Rickoff – President & CEO Lake State Railway
Mark Rosner – President & CEO Carload Express
2:30 Break in Technical Showcase
3:15 pm
Panel Presentation: Precision Scheduled Railroading
- Dave Ferryman, VP Commercial & Technology, EVRAZ N.A. (confirmed)
- Brian Murray, Regional Superintendent, CSX
4:15 p.m. Update on the “Railroad Renaissance” Tony Hatch, ABH Consulting
Wednesday, July 24
7:00 am Continental Breakfast and Technical Showcase in Great Room, 6th floor
8:00 am Attracting & Retaining New Employees
Bill Fountain, Director of Recruitment, Genesee & Wyoming
Rachael Peterson, EVP People Services, Watco Companies
Dan MacKay, AVP Human Resources, Norfolk Southern
9:00 a.m. Enhancing Your Safety Culture within Your Railroad – Panel
Darrell Snyder, VP Mechanical, Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad
Clay Smith, Manager of Safety & Training, Florida East Coast Railway
Ken Glover, VP Safety, Genesee & Wyoming
10:30 am Business Session
11:00 am Adjourn
11:30 pm Bus Loads for Annual Golf Outing, departing at 11:45 a.m.
Bus departs for the AARS Annual Golf Outing to benefit the Frank J. Richter Scholarship
1:15 p.m. Shotgun Start at River Front Golf Club, Suffolk, VA
