Midwest Rail Conference 2025

Midwest Rail Conference logo

The Midwest Rail Conference is back!

Organized for the first time since 2017, the conference brings together industry leaders, advocacy groups, academia and state organizations to discuss key issues shaping the region’s extensive rail network. Covering freight and passenger rail across states like Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin, the conference explores a diverse range of topics, mixing speakers across stakeholder groups. This year’s conference will double up as the 2nd Annual Meeting for National University Rail Center of Excellence (NURail CoE).

Join the ride and meet us for networking, technical sessions and field visits in Indiana!!! 

August 12–14, 2025

University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana


Registration

  • Early:

    $200 (through Monday, June 30, 2025)
  • Regular:

    $250 (through Thursday, July 31, 2025)
  • Late:

    $325 (begins Friday, August 1, 2025)

Schedule

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

  • Student scholarship golf outing fundraiser
  • NURail CoE Annual Meeting (McKenna Hall) 
  • Small group meetings (McKenna Hall)
  • Opening reception (McKenna Hall)

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

  • MRC Educational Sessions (Morris Inn/McKenna Hall)
  • Closing reception

Thursday, August 14, 2025

  • Field visits

Diamond - $1500+

  • 2 free conference registrations (use sponsor's attendee registration)
  • Company logo in program
  • Company logo on website
  • Full page ad in sponsor brochure
  • Included in email blast to all registrants announcing sponsors who made it possible: company name with link to website and 50-word description of company

Platinum - $1000 - $1499

  • 1 free conference registration (use sponsor's attendee registration)
  • Company logo in program
  • Company logo on website
  • 1/2- page ad in sponsor brochure
  • Included in email blast to all registrants announcing sponsors who made it possible: company name with link to website and 50-word description of company

Gold - $500 - $999

  • Quarter page ad in sponsor brochure
  • Company name and contact information listed in attendee listing
  • Included in email blast to all registrants announcing sponsors who made it possible: company name with link to website

Silver $250-$499

  • Company name/logo listed in sponsor brochure
  • Company name and contact information listed in attendee listing
  • Included in email blast to all registrants announcing sponsors who made it possible: company name

2025 Sponsors

Diamond Level Sponsors

quandel logo

wsp logo

hanson logo

Gold Level Sponsors

stahl recruiting

SW Bridge

 

Silver Level Sponsors

ICC Group

 

 



Suggested Hotels and Parking Options

Hotels

Notes

  • If you booked a room at the previously listed hotels (Hilton Vacation Club Varsity Club South Bend, Hyatt Place South Bend – Mishawaka or Home2 Suites By Hilton Mishawaka South Bend) and would like to be on the shuttle, please contact Amanda Codere at alkerttu@mtu.edu
  • No room blocks have been set up for this conference

Parking

Attendees wishing to utilize free parking should park in the Bookstore Lot, otherwise they can park at the Morris Inn with a daily fee of $18 per vehicle.


Contact

Pasi Lautala, PE

  • Associate Dean for Research
  • Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
  • Director, Rail Transportation Program, Michigan Tech Transportation Institute
Amanda Codere

Amanda Codere

  • Staff, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

 

2024 Michigan Rail Conference, Pivot to the Future

Attendees of the 2024 Michigan Rail Conference

Curious what last year’s Michigan Rail Conference looked like? Check out the 2024 photos to see highlights from our time at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, including keynote speakers, networking events, and field visits. From the engaging sessions to the golf outing and receptions, it was a fantastic few days thanks to our speakers, sponsors, and attendees. Get inspired for what’s to come in 2025!

2024 MRC Conference Photos