MARS offers two ways to attend Summer Meeting

This year, the Chicago-based Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) Summer Meeting will be online July 12–13 and in person at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The theme for the meeting is "Resurgence—Together We Grow.”

“After taking a year off due to the pandemic, MARS is excited to get back to its regularly scheduled programming by offering the best in-person meetings at a fair price that can be found in the rail industry,” MARS President Stefan Loeb says. “Our executive committee, sponsors and members look forward to welcoming everyone to Lake Geneva—either in person or virtually—this summer."

According to MARS, the 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. 

Highlights of the MARS Summer Meeting will include key transportation executives and experts:

• Pat Ottensmeyer, president and CEO, Kansas City Southern; 
• Ross Corthell, vice president of Transportation, Packaging Corp. of America;
• Michael Pyle, chief economic advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris;
• Dan Mack, executive vice president of Finance, Marketing & Sales, Northern Plains Rail Cos.;
• Martin Oberman, chairman, Surface Transportation Board; 
• Dean Piacente, CEO, OmniTRAX; and
• Jeff Lytle, president, CIT Rail.

The summer meeting was canceled last year because of health concerns brought on by the pandemic. This year, 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, following recommendations to ensure a safe and enjoyable in-person meeting.

For those who cannot travel to the meeting, MARS offers 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 and can register at www.mwrailshippers.com/event/2021-summer-meeting. To change attendance options, simply email mars@mwrailshippers.com.

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