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NEARS (Northeastern Association of Rail Shippers) Spring 2025 Conference
NEARS is one of five regional organizations under the umbrella of the North American Rail Shippers Association (NARS). The other regional associations are: the Southeast Association of Rail Shippers (SEARS), Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS), Southwest Association of Rail Shippers (SWARS) and the Pacific Northwest Association of Rail Shippers (PNWARS). Together, they represent all the shippers and professionals in the rail industry in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
NEARS holds conferences in the spring and fall.
SPRING 2025 CONFERENCE PRELIMINARY AGENDA:
WEDNESDAY APRIL 9TH
11:30am – NEARS TopGolf Extravaganza!
TopGolf, 1411 Warner Street, Baltimore MD
3:00pm – Conference Registration Opens
5:00pm – The Joseph & Eileen Gearin Networking Reception
Sponsored By American Truck and Rail Audits, Inc
6:30pm – Dinner On Your Own in Fabulous Baltimore
7:00pm – NEARS Speakeasy Hospitality Lounge Opens
THURSDAY APRIL 10TH
7:00am – Breakfast Starts (Available until 08:15am)
7:30am – Conference Registration Re-Opens
8:00am – Welcome to NEARS, Safety Briefing and Housekeeping
8:15am – To Be Announced
9:15am – Mutual Sustainable Prosperity in the Transportation Industry (FC)
Didi Caldwell, President & CEO, Global Relocation Strategies
Moderator: Jason Seidl, Managing Director Industrials, TD Cowen
10:00am – Networking Break
10:30am – To Be Announced
11:30am – NEARS Awards Ceremony
NOON – NEARS Networking Lunch and Vendor Fair
1:30pm – The Chemical Supply Chain and the Modern-Day Challenges (PP)
Todd Tranausky, Logistics Procurement Manager, American Styrene
Moderator: Jason Seidl, Managing Director Industrials, TD Cowen
2:30pm – Asset Intelligence and Transportation Digitalization (PP)
Kenneth Mannka, Executive Vice President of Operations, Nexxiot
Moderator: Dennis Wilmot, President, Iron Horse Logistics Group
3:30pm – Networking Break
3:45pm – The World Renowned Ever Popular and Highly Anticipated Tony and Jason Show (FC)
Tony Hatch, Principal, ABH Consulting
Jason Seidl, Managing Director Industrials, TD Cowen
5:00pm – The Joseph & Eileen Gearin Networking Reception
Sponsored By American Truck and Rail Audits, Inc
6:30pm – Dinner On Your Own In Fabulous Baltimore
7:00pm – NEARS Speakeasy Hospitality Lounge Opens
FRIDAY APRIL 11TH
7:30am – Networking Breakfast Starts (Available Until 08:15)
8:00am – Opening/Announcements
8:15am – Great Things are Moving in Maryland!
Brian Hammock, VP State Government Affairs, CSX
9:15am – (TBD)
10:15am – The Nitty-Gritty of Rail Shipping (FC)
Kenneth Sanchez, President/CEO of Chesapeake Specialty Products
11:00am – Closing Remarks and William J. Donovan Memorial Drawing
(FC) = Fireside Chat Format (PP) = Powerpoint Presentation Format