"Preparing for the Next Era of Rail"
August 11 - 13, 2026
University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin
We are excited to announce that the 2026 Midwest Rail Conference themed “Preparing for the Next Era of Rail," will take place August 11–13, 2026, at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. This year's event will bring us for the first time to Milwaukee (and Wisconsin in general), as we continue to explore the current and future status of passenger and freight rail in the Midwest and beyond.
We have secured excellent keynote and other speakers for the conference and are working to finalize the program and sessions. As usual, we expect to start the conference with the Student Scholarship Fundraiser Golf Outing, followed by the Opening Reception at the Harley Davidson Museum, Educational/Technical Sessions, Closing Reception, and finally Field visits that are expected to include a train ride on Amtrak, visits to Milwaukee and Milwaukee airport passenger rail stations, Port of Milwaukee and Talgo High Speed Rail Facility.
We are looking forward to yet another great year of Midwest Rail Conference, so stay in tune as more information gets finalized and posted. If you would like to speak in the conference or have suggestions for a session topic, please contact Pasi Lautala to explore the possibilities.
Registration
-
Early:
$200 (through June 12th) -
Regular:
$250 (through July 31st) -
Late:
$325 (through August 13th)
Keynote Speakers
Karen Hedlund
Member
Surface Trans. Board
Zach Boehme
SVP Railroad Sales
Watco
Sarah Pawlanta
AVP Sales & Marketing
Genessee & Wyoming
Schedule
Tuesday, August 11
- Student scholarship golf outing fundraiser
- New Berlin Hills Golf Course
- tee times starting at 11:30 am with lunch prior
- Opening reception
- Harley Davidson Museum
- 6pm-8pm
Wednesday, August 12, 2025
- MRC Educational Sessions (typically 8am-5pm)
- Closing Reception (to follow educational sessions)
- 5pm - 6pm
Thursday, August 14, 2025
- Field visits (typically 7:30am - 1pm)
- Tentative itinerary includes train ride on Amtrak Hiawatha, visits to Milwaukee passenger rail stations, Port of Milwaukee and Talgo High speed rail maintenance facility
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
2026 Sponsors
Diamond Level Sponsors
Platinum Level Sponsor
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
Directions, Suggested Hotels and Parking Options
Location:
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
School of Continuing Education - Conference Center
Continuing Education Plankinton Building
161 W Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
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