Conference Agenda
Spring 2026 · April 8th–10th
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Wednesday, April 8
Registration, networking, dinner options, and evening hospitality.
2:00pm
Conference Registration Opens
Check-in begins for attendees arriving in Newport.
Info
Conference Registration Opens
Check-in begins for attendees arriving in Newport.
4:00pm
The Joseph & Eileen Gearin Networking Reception
Opening networking reception for attendees.
Reception
The Joseph & Eileen Gearin Networking Reception
Opening networking reception for attendees.
5:30pm
Dinner Options
Dinner Train boarding or dinner on your own in Newport.
Dining
Dinner Options
Dinner Train boarding or dinner on your own in Newport.
6:00pm
Dinner Train Leaves the Station in Newport
Evening departure for ticketed guests.
Event
Dinner Train Leaves the Station in Newport
Evening departure for ticketed guests.
9:30pm
NEARS Speakeasy Hospitality Lounge Opens
Evening hospitality lounge for attendees.
Hospitality
NEARS Speakeasy Hospitality Lounge Opens
Evening hospitality lounge for attendees.
Thursday, April 9
Breakfast, keynote sessions, networking breaks, lunch, and evening reception.
7:00am
Breakfast Starts
Available until 8:15am.
Meal
Breakfast Starts
Available until 8:15am.
7:30am
Conference Registration Re-Opens
Morning registration re-opens for attendees.
Info
Conference Registration Re-Opens
Morning registration re-opens for attendees.
8:00am
Welcome to NEARS, Safety Briefing, Housekeeping
Opening remarks and conference housekeeping.
Opening
Welcome to NEARS, Safety Briefing, Housekeeping
Opening remarks and conference housekeeping.
8:15am
Welcome To Newport Kickoff Presentation
Opening presentation focused on Newport.
Presentation
Welcome To Newport Kickoff Presentation
Opening presentation focused on Newport.
8:45am
The Changing Railroad Landscape (FC)
Discussion on the current rail environment.
Fireside Chat
The Changing Railroad Landscape (FC)
Discussion on the current rail environment.
9:45am
The Latest from the Great Big Rollin’ Railroad (FC)
Union Pacific strategy and rail outlook.
Fireside Chat
The Latest from the Great Big Rollin’ Railroad (FC)
Union Pacific strategy and rail outlook.
10:45am
Networking Break
Morning networking break.
Break
Networking Break
Morning networking break.
11:00am
Coast to Coast, All the Rail News We Can Discuss in an Hour (FC)
Rail news and industry discussion.
Fireside Chat
Coast to Coast, All the Rail News We Can Discuss in an Hour (FC)
Rail news and industry discussion.
Noon
NEARS Networking Lunch and Vendor Fair
Lunch and exhibitor networking.
Meal
NEARS Networking Lunch and Vendor Fair
Lunch and exhibitor networking.
1:30pm
The Merger and The Class 1 Landscape in the Northeast (FC)
Discussion on merger impacts and Class 1 outlook.
Fireside Chat
The Merger and The Class 1 Landscape in the Northeast (FC)
Discussion on merger impacts and Class 1 outlook.
2:30pm
The Latest from BNSF Railroad (FC)
Commercial and marketing update from BNSF.
Fireside Chat
The Latest from BNSF Railroad (FC)
Commercial and marketing update from BNSF.
3:30pm
Networking Break
Afternoon networking break.
Break
Networking Break
Afternoon networking break.
3:45pm
The Rail Asset Market – Opportunities and Market Trends (PP)
Presentation on asset trends and opportunities.
Presentation
The Rail Asset Market – Opportunities and Market Trends (PP)
Presentation on asset trends and opportunities.
5:00pm
The Joseph & Eileen Gearin Networking Reception
Evening networking reception.
Reception
The Joseph & Eileen Gearin Networking Reception
Evening networking reception.
6:30pm
Dinner on Your Own in Beautiful Newport
Enjoy Newport dining on your own.
Dining
Dinner on Your Own in Beautiful Newport
Enjoy Newport dining on your own.
9:30pm
NEARS Speakeasy Hospitality Lounge Opens
Late evening hospitality lounge.
Hospitality
NEARS Speakeasy Hospitality Lounge Opens
Late evening hospitality lounge.
Friday, April 10
Breakfast, featured sessions, closing remarks, and memorial drawing.
7:30am
Networking Breakfast Starts
Available until 8:15am.
Meal
Networking Breakfast Starts
Available until 8:15am.
8:00am
Opening / Announcements
Morning opening remarks and announcements.
Opening
Opening / Announcements
Morning opening remarks and announcements.
8:15am
This Is How We Do It – Part 1! Lumber (FC)
Industry-focused fireside chat on lumber.
Fireside Chat
This Is How We Do It – Part 1! Lumber (FC)
Industry-focused fireside chat on lumber.
9:00am
This Is How We Do It – Part 2! Natural Resources (FC)
Industry-focused fireside chat on natural resources.
Fireside Chat
This Is How We Do It – Part 2! Natural Resources (FC)
Industry-focused fireside chat on natural resources.
9:45am
The Much Anticipated and Always Informative Tony and Jason Show (FC)
Featured discussion with Tony Hatch and Jason Seidl.
Fireside Chat
The Much Anticipated and Always Informative Tony and Jason Show (FC)
Featured discussion with Tony Hatch and Jason Seidl.
10:45am
Closing Remarks and William J. Donovan Memorial Drawing
Conference closing session and memorial drawing.
Closing
Closing Remarks and William J. Donovan Memorial Drawing
Conference closing session and memorial drawing.