The Rail Users’ Network “Promoting Rail for Mobility and Economic Vitality” Conference, 2013.
The conference was held Friday, April 26, 2013, from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at the headquarters of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, 35 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL.
Conference Schedule
7:45 A.M. Registration/Continental Breakfast
8:15 A.M. Welcoming Remarks: Richard Rudolph, Ph.D, Chair, Rail Users’ network
8:30 A.M. Marc Magliari, Media Relations Manager, Amtrak Government Affairs & Corp. Communications
9:15 A.M. Joseph Schwieterman, Ph.D., School of Public Service, Depaul University
10:00 A.M. Coffee Break
10:15 A.M. Rick Harnish, Executive Director, Midwest High Speed Rail Association
10:45 A.M. Round-Table Discussion – Higher Speed/High Speed Rail and its impact on mobility and economic vitality
Panelists include Rick Harnish, Exec. Director, Midwest High Speed Rail Association, Marc Magliari, Media Relations Manager, Amtrak Gov’t. Affairs & Corp. Communications, Joe Schwieterman, Ph.D., School of Public Service, Depaul University. Moderator: Jim Coston, Esq., Capital Corridor LLC.
11:15 A.M. Steve Hands, Strategic Planning & Policy – CTA’s Red Ahead Program
12:00 – 1:00 P.M. Lunch
1:00 P.M. Efforts to Extend Rail Service to the Quad Cities, Rockford & Dubuque & Commuter Rail- Ann Arbor-Howell, MI
Panelists include Paul Rumier, Exec. Vice President, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, Stephen K. Ernst, Executive Director, Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Michael Benham, Project Manager, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority. Moderator: Richard Rudolph, Ph.D, Chair Rail Users’ Network.
2:00 P.M. Reaching out to Constituencies in Allied Areas who will benefit from Better Transit
Panelists include Kevin Brubaker, Deputy Director, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Steve Hastalis, National Federation of the Blind, Peter Skosey, Exec. Vice President, Metropolitan Planning Council Moderator: David Peter Alan, Esq., Chair, Lackawanna Coalition.
3:00 P.M. Refreshment Break 3:15 P.M. Connecting with your Constituents: Best Practices for Effective Advocacy
Panelists include F.K. Plous, Director of Communications, Corridor Capital LLC, Claudia Ayala, Public Transit Campaign Coordinator, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, Brenna Conway, Campaign Manager, Active Transportation Alliance. Moderator: Andrew Albert, Chair, NYC Transit Riders Council, Non-voting member, MTA Board
4:15 P.M. Instructions for Saturday Tour: David Peter Alan
4:20 P.M. Wrap-up & closing remarks: Gary Prophet, Vice President, Empire State Passenger Association
4:30 P.M. Adjourn