Midwest freight rail shippers to meet next January

The Chicago-based Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) will host its annual Winter Meeting from Jan. 13-15, 2026, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois.

The MARS 2026 meeting will feature experts discussing their perspectives on the issues and trends currently impacting freight rail operations and shipping, with the theme for the meeting being “Fast Track to the Future.”

“The high value of our Chicago area January meeting is evident in the list of rail industry decision makers who will be on this year's program,” MARS President Steve Blinn says. “Major rail shippers, five railroad C-level executives, technology leaders and other expert speakers will provide key insights in today's fast-moving business environment.”

The schedule includes a day-and-a-half of presentations and several networking opportunities. 

Among people offering presentations in January are employees of BNSF Railway, Union Pacific, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railroad, Canadian National (CN) rail, the federal Surface Transportation Board, the Association of American Railroads, the United Sugar Producers & Refiners Cooperative, railcar maker the Greenbrier Companies, and several other vendors and consultants to the freight rail industry.

Also at the event, MARS will recognize the first recipient of its Bill Schauer Industry Impact Award, intended to honor “exceptional individuals or teams whose work has significantly influenced and improved transportation across the Midwest.” The inaugural award honors long-time MARS executive director, Bill Schauer, for whom the award will be named.

More information about MARS and the event is available on the MARS website.