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)
Keynote Speakers
David Fink (invited)
Nominated as Administrator
Federal Railroad Administration
James Derwinski
CEO
METRA
Mabby Amouie
AVP Enterprise Data and Analytics
Norfolk Southern
Schedule
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
- Student scholarship golf outing fundraiser (Blackthorn Golf Club)
- 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)
- Opening Plenary – Hydrogen and Other Alternative
Fuels for Railroads - Plenary Panel– Applications of AI for Railways
- Breakout #1A - Automation of Railway Operations
- Breakout #1B - Grade-Crossing Technologies and
Safety
- Opening Plenary – Hydrogen and Other Alternative
-
- Breakout #2A – Midwest DOTs Panel Discussion
- Breakout #2B - Shortline Railroad Panel
Discussion - Breakout #3A - Innovative Approaches to Address
Trespassing on Railroads - Breakout #3B - Local Economic/Land Use Impacts of
Rail
- Closing reception
Thursday, August 14, 2025
- Field visits
- Elkhart Yard and Shipper visits
- South Bend Grade Separations
- Airport Passenger Rail Station Relocation
MRC Sponsor Opportunities
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
Platinum Level SPonsor
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
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
- Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
- Director, Rail Transportation Program, Michigan Tech Transportation Institute
- ptlautal@mtu.edu
- 906-487-3547
- Dillman 318
Amanda Codere
- Staff, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
