American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Conference 2024

Please join us at the American Short Line Regional Railroad Association Regional
Meeting In Jacksonville, Florida September 30-October 2, 2024

Eastern and Southern Region Meeting 2024

Central and Pacific Region Meeting 2024

The ASLRRA hosts two annual regional meetings: the Central & Pacific Meeting and the Eastern & Southern Meeting. These events offer dynamic agendas with top speakers and interactive sessions, providing valuable insights for professionals at all levels. TGB Group is a proud platinum sponsor for these meetings.

The regional meetings cover a wide range of topics, including panel discussions on industry trends and challenges. Participants can attend presentations from experts and join breakout sessions for shared learning. These sessions offer practical tools, resources, and takeaways focused on business best practices.

In addition to the formal sessions, the meetings provide many networking opportunities. Attendees will have lots of time to connect with industry friends, customers, and suppliers, helping to build relationships and stay updated on the latest industry developments.

Agenda
Potential session topics include:

  • Short Line Leaders Panel
  • Legislative/Regulatory Update from ASLRRA Staff
  • Locomotive Power – Hydrogen, Battery, etc. Decarbonization. CARB Beyond California – Tyler Dick, speaker
  • Boxcar supply and the North American Boxcar Pool (NABP) – Paddy O’Neill and David Sellers, speakers
  • CRISI Grants – Post-Selection Excellence – From Notification to Project Closeout
  • PHMSA Real Time Reporting Hazardous Materials – new requirements for train consists, emergency responder notification, plans and testing.
  • Class I Updates: Norfolk Southern and CSX
  • SLSI Update
  • Update on Current Lawsuits within the Railroad Industry – Sarah Yurasko, ASLRRA
  • Stakeholder Engagement: What did we learn from East Palestine – press response to East Palestine – what did we learn, and what railroads should be prepared for.
  • Part 243 – Railroad/Contractor Training Requirements– JR Gelnar & FRA. Discuss the requirements for contractors regarding training on railroad specific rules for RMM operators and RWICs.
  • Signal/Dispatcher Certification FRA – Discuss the requirements of the new signal and dispatcher certification regulations and provide updates on template development.
  • TSA Update and Panel Discussion – short updates from TSA and ASLRRA on where TSA is with its cybersecurity directives and rulemaking, as well as a panel discussion on cybersecurity to include short line cyber/IT leads.
  • Part 219 – An overview of 219 requirements for regulated employees will be provided by Sam Noe, FRA. Part 240/242 certification requirements involving Part 219 violations will be discussed, including DUIs.
  • OSHA – Hazard Communication Final Rule and Tier 2 – ASLRRA Environmental Committee
  • Procurement Panel- Supply chain strategies for 2025 and beyond, including forecasting, diversifying sourcing, and building flexibility to navigate disruptions, extreme weather and other uncertainties. A look at software and other tools to automate procurement processes as artificial intelligence continues to change the future of procurement.

Please note: dates, times and session names and/or descriptions are subject to change.

 

Monday, September 30
10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. — Registration
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. — Sponsor Table Set up
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. — Networking Happy Hour hosted by Young Professionals Committee
5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. — Opening Reception with Sponsors

Tuesday, October 1
7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. — Registration
7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. — Networking Breakfast with Sponsors
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. — General Session
10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. — Networking Break with Sponsors
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. — General Session continues
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. — Networking Lunch with Sponsors
1:00 p.m.-2:45 p.m. — Breakout Sessions
2:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m. — Networking Break with Sponsors
3:15 p.m.-4:05 p.m. — Breakout Sessions
4:10 p.m.-5:10 p.m. — Eastern Region Sandhouse
4:10 p.m.-5:10 p.m. — Southern Region Sandhouse
4:10 p.m.-5:10 p.m. — Supplier Sandhouse

Wednesday, October 2
7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. — Registration
7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. — Networking Breakfast with Sponsors
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. — General Session
10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. — Networking Break with Sponsors
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. — General Session continues
1:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. — Golf Tournament

Region meetings are worth your while to attend! In addition to networking opportunities, region meetings are where our leaders come together to discuss issues and drive policy.

Focused Educational Events

ASLRRA’s Finance & Administration Seminar and General Counsel Symposium are must-attend events for all small railroad personnel in those sectors. This conference offers a dynamic agenda with top-notch speakers and engaging sessions that will benefit professionals at all levels of your organization by providing best practices and tools and resources, plus hours of networking with industry peers, customers and suppliers. The GCS also provides opportunities for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits.