July 12–13 Summer Meeting to be held in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Offered Online

CHICAGO—June 24, 2021 (James Street Media Services)—The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) Summer Meeting on July 12–13 will address some of the hottest topics in shipping, including: business growth and supply chain capacity; the rebounding railcar outlook; railroad response to supply chain needs; and the latest regulatory news.

“We already have 300 registrants which is ahead of 2019’s pace—our last in-person meeting," said MARS President Stefan Loeb. "If you have not registered yet but are considering it, there is still time.

"The Summer Meeting represents a unique opportunity to reconnect and collaborate at a perfect time as our world and industry return to normalcy. On behalf of all of us at MARS, I look forward to welcoming you to Lake Geneva in July,” he said.

The MARS semiannual meetings include speakers, presentations, and panels focusing on current issues facing the freight rail industry. MARS also provides a forum to educate and inform in the areas of railroad operating practices, new innovations in transportation, and legislative matters. 

This year, the MARS Summer Meeting will be offered both in-person and online at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The theme for the meeting is "Resurgence—Together We Grow."


Presenters for the Summer Meeting include:

• Patrick Ottensmeyer, president & CEO, Kansas City Southern Railway
• Ross Corthell, vice president, Transportation, Packaging Corp. of America
• Ed Elkins, vice president, Industrial Products, Norfolk Southern Corp.
• Michael Pyle, chief economic advisor to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris
• Dan Mack, executive vice president, Finance, Marketing and Sales, Northern Plains Rail Companies
• Martin J. Oberman, chairman, Surface Transportation Board
• James Shefelbine, executive vice president, PLG Consulting; and
• Jeff Lytle, president, CIT Rail

The Summer Meeting was cancelled last year due to health concerns brought on by the pandemic. For 2021, the MARS leadership is making the personal safety of attendees paramount by working closely with the Grand Geneva Resort to comply with federal, state, and local requirements to ensure a safe and enjoyable in-person meeting.

For those who cannot travel to the in-person meeting, MARS is adding flexibility by offering a virtual attendance option. All registrations are final, but attendees will have the opportunity to change between the virtual and in-person options at any time. To change attendance options, simply send an email to mars@mwrailshippers.com.

The Summer Meeting starts with the annual Scholarship Golf Outing, a reception, and a networking dinner on Monday, July 12. The business meeting is scheduled for a full day on Tuesday, July 13. 

Dates
Monday and Tuesday, July 12–13, 2021

Location
Grand Geneva Resort
7036 Grand Geneva Way
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
877-741-9598

Meeting Cost
$375

Registration
Advance reservations are required for the conference. For information or to register:
• Online conference information and registration
• Email: mars@mwrailshippers.com
• Phone: (630) 513-6700



About The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers

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, please visit the MARS website at www.mwrailshippers.com.