The 21st Annual
Southwestern Rail Conference
Book your registration and hotel space now while Early Bird Pricing is in effect!
The 21st Annual Southwestern Rail Conference will be held April 7-8, 2025 at the Hurst Conference Center, Hurst, Texas in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. It's the premier all-rail conference highlighting important freight and passenger rail projects and developments held yearly in Texas.
Hosted by Texas Rail Advocates
You should attend if you have any interest in:
Transportation planning, government affairs, rail coalitions, policy advisor, economic development, signaling and communications, passenger rail, transit, research and emerging technology, state affairs and funding, marketing, management and finance, freight logistics, infrastructure, intercity rail, management consulting, supply chain management, business services, railway supplier and manufacturer, energy and the environment.
FULL CONFERENCE
$349 Early Registration extended to March 24th due to technical issues.
Save $100.00 by registering early. Early Bird registration is capacity controlled.
$449
Event Sponsors
These sponsors are making the 2025 Southwestern Rail Conference possible:
Your sponsorship helps to promote freight and passenger rail in Texas and the Southwest as we educate and inform our elected / appointed leaders and the public on the economic benefits of rail.
Texas Rail Advocates' outreach to the public and private sector helps to advance the development of rail service to its full potential as a carrier of freight and passengers. Sponsorship gives you coverage before, during and the full year following the conference.
Event Schedule
The Premier All-Rail Conference brings together the public and private sector to discuss important freight and passenger rail topics from experts in their field. We've expanded into two days of presentations and speakers to bring you more content from more rail industry leaders!
Monday, April 7
12:00PM
-
Registration Opens
Center court of Hurst Texas Conference Center.
2:00PM
-
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Texas Rail Advocates - President Peter LeCody
Safety briefing, what's ahead in the conference and we'll remind you to enter our famous $100 bill drawing at the conclusion of Tuesday's presentations.
2:15PM
-
Texas Department of Transportation: More than just highways
Caroline Mays, AICP, Director of Planning and Modal Programs for Aviation, Maritime, Public Transportation, Rail, and Transportation Planning and Programming divisions
Jeffrey "Jeff" Davis, Director of the Rail Division
Eric L. Gleason, Director of Public Transportation
3:15PM
-
Freight Rail Is Driving The American Economy
Holt Edwards, Assistant Vice President, Government Affairs, Association of American Railroads.
AAR is the national voice for freight railroads on rail safety, operational and economic regulations, keeping the supply chain moving, and more.
3:45PM
-
21st Century Rail Technology
How companies are leveraging technology to improve the flow of freight by rail
Moderator: Bill Glavin, Texas Rail Advocates Board Member
Michael Bruce, Senior Vice President, RSI Logistics
Jacob Hansen, Corporate Development Manager, Nexxiot
Rob Henrich, Program Manager, Siemens
4:30PM
-
Rail Industry Spotlight
A glimpse of companies that are changing the face of how people and goods will move across the country.
STV, RailOne, ARUP, AECOM
5:15PM
-
Networking Happy Hour
Join us for refreshments and nibbles while you meet and greet others in the industry.
7:00PM
-
Conference Dinner
Guest Speaker: Karen Hedlund, who serves on the Surface Transportation Board, looks at recent decisions governing railroads and what we might expect in the future.
Tuesday, April 8
7:00AM
-
Registration Opens & Continental Breakfast
8:25AM
-
Opening Remarks
8:30AM
-
Get Ready To Ride Along The Gulf Coast
Knox Ross, Chairman of the Southern Rail Commission. This agency is ready to turn signals green for passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast.
9:00AM
-
Emerging Ports and Industrial Rail Parks - Panel
Moderator: Curtis Morgan, Senior Research Scientist Division Head, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Bruce Mann, Former Director Freight Mobility, Port Houston
Hydie McAlister, RCR Rail Park Development
Eric Watkins, General Director of Economic and Industrial Development, Union Pacific Railroad
Omar Garcia, Chief External Affairs Officer, Port Corpus Christi
10:00AM
-
Passenger Rail and a Future National Network
Jim Mathews, President/CEO, Rail Passengers Association
10:30AM
-
Break
10:45AM
-
We have a Texas Rail Plan. Now what?
Kevin Keller, Intermodal Planning Practice Lead, HDR
11:30AM
-
Growing Freight Rail Business with Best-in-Class Methods
Michael Sussman, CEO, Strategic Rail Finance and OnTrackNorthAmerica
12:00PM
-
Conference Luncheon
Recognizing distinguished guests:
Lorena Campos, Austin Legislative Update live from the Capitol
Guest Speaker: John Robert Smith, Chairman Transportation For America and former Amtrak Chairman of the Board
1:30PM
-
Texas Transit - Keeping Up With A Growing State - Panel
Moderator: Chris Taylor, Texas Rail Advocates Board Member
Rich Andreski, President and CEO, Trinity Metro
Dee Leggett, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, DART
Paul Cristina, CEO, Denton County Transportation Authority
2:30PM
-
If You Build High Speed Rail They Will Come
Robert Pearsall, Partnerships Director, U.S. High Speed Rail (USHSR), Wash., DC
3:00PM
-
Break
3:15PM
-
Potential Amtrak Intercity Service For Texas
Nicole Bucich, Vice-President. Network Development at Amtrak.
Between Federal Railroad Administration Corridor ID grants in the Texas triangle and an FRA daily long distance expansion study, Will Texans see more Amtrak intercity service in Texas?
3:45PM
-
The Next Generation Alstom / Amtrak High Speed Acela Trains: Arriving Now
Alstom is delivering the new premium NextGen Acela trains that will be replacing the current fleet. See what's in store.
4:05PM
-
Analyzing Passenger Rail
David Peter Alan, Railway Age Contributing Editor
4:25PM
-
Closing Remarks and $100.00 Bill Drawing
Program is subject to change.
Monday, April 15
12:00PM
-
Registration Opens
Center court of Hurst Texas Conference Center.
2:00PM
-
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Texas Rail Advocates - President Peter LeCody
Safety briefing, what's ahead in the conference and we'll remind you to enter our famous $100 bill drawing at the conclusion of Tuesday's presentations.
2:15PM
-
Texas Department of Transportation: More than just highways
Caroline Mays, AICP, Director of Planning and Modal Programs for Aviation, Maritime, Public Transportation, Rail, and Transportation Planning and Programming divisions
Jeffrey "Jeff" Davis, Director of the Rail Division
Eric L. Gleason, Director of Public Transportation
3:15PM
-
Freight Rail Is Driving The American Economy
Holt Edwards, Assistant Vice President, Government Affairs, Association of American Railroads.
AAR is the national voice for freight railroads on rail safety, operational and economic regulations, keeping the supply chain moving, and more.
3:45PM
-
21st Century Rail Technology
How companies are leveraging technology to improve the flow of freight by rail
Moderator: Bill Glavin, Texas Rail Advocates Board Member
Michael Bruce, Senior Vice President, RSI Logistics
Jacob Hansen, Corporate Development Manager, Nexxiot
Rob Henrich, Program Manager, Siemens
4:30PM
-
Rail Industry Spotlight
A glimpse of companies that are changing the face of how people and goods will move across the country.
STV, RailOne, ARUP, AECOM
5:15PM
-
Networking Happy Hour
Join us for refreshments and nibbles while you meet and greet others in the industry.
7:00PM
-
Conference Dinner
Guest Speaker: Karen Hedlund, who serves on the Surface Transportation Board, looks at recent decisions governing railroads and what we might expect in the future.
Tuesday, April 16
7:00AM
-
Registration Opens & Continental Breakfast
8:25AM
-
Opening Remarks
8:30AM
-
Get Ready To Ride Along The Gulf Coast
Knox Ross, Chairman of the Southern Rail Commission. This agency is ready to turn signals green for passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast.
9:00AM
-
Emerging Ports and Industrial Rail Parks - Panel
Moderator: Curtis Morgan, Senior Research Scientist Division Head, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Bruce Mann, Former Director Freight Mobility, Port Houston
Hydie McAlister, RCR Rail Park Development
Eric Watkins, General Director of Economic and Industrial Development, Union Pacific Railroad
Omar Garcia, Chief External Affairs Officer, Port Corpus Christi
10:00AM
-
Passenger Rail and a Future National Network
Jim Mathews, President/CEO, Rail Passengers Association
10:30AM
-
Break
10:45AM
-
We have a Texas Rail Plan. Now what?
Kevin Keller, Intermodal Planning Practice Lead, HDR
11:30AM
-
Growing Freight Rail Business with Best-in-Class Methods
Michael Sussman, CEO, Strategic Rail Finance and OnTrackNorthAmerica
12:00PM
-
Conference Luncheon
Recognizing distinguished guests:
Lorena Campos, Austin Legislative Update live from the Capitol
Guest Speaker: John Robert Smith, Chairman Transportation For America and former Amtrak Chairman of the Board
1:30PM
-
Texas Transit - Keeping Up With A Growing State - Panel
Moderator: Chris Taylor, Texas Rail Advocates Board Member
Rich Andreski, President and CEO, Trinity Metro
Dee Leggett, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, DART
Paul Cristina, CEO, Denton County Transportation Authority
2:30PM
-
If You Build High Speed Rail They Will Come
Robert Pearsall, Partnerships Director, U.S. High Speed Rail (USHSR), Wash., DC
3:00PM
-
Break
3:15PM
-
Potential Amtrak Intercity Service For Texas
Nicole Bucich, Vice-President. Network Development at Amtrak.
Between Federal Railroad Administration Corridor ID grants in the Texas triangle and an FRA daily long distance expansion study, Will Texans see more Amtrak intercity service in Texas?
3:45PM
-
The Next Generation Alstom / Amtrak High Speed Acela Trains: Arriving Now
Alstom is delivering the new premium NextGen Acela trains that will be replacing the current fleet. See what's in store.
4:05PM
-
Analyzing Passenger Rail
David Peter Alan, Railway Age Contributing Editor
4:25PM
-
Closing Remarks and $100.00 Bill Drawing
Venue & Hotel Information
Our lead hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn, Hurst, Texas, which is directly attached to the Hurst Conference Center. Located in the center of the DFW Metroplex, the City of Hurst offers first-class shopping, popular restaurants and new hotel accommodations just minutes from the Hurst Conference Center.
A block of rooms has been set aside at the rate of $124 a night plus taxes.
Your stay with Hilton Garden Inn includes:
- Complimentary covered parking with access to all guest room floors
- Complimentary wired and wireless WI-FI in all guest rooms
- Garden Grill Restaurant serving breakfast and dinner
- Hotel Bar featuring daily specials
- Fitness center featuring upgraded Precor equipment and Peloton - open 24 hours
- Indoor swimming pool/hot tub - open 24 hours
- Large outdoor patio with a gas fire pit
- Microwaves, mini-fridge, and Keurig's in all rooms
- Hilton Honors Rewards program
Rooms will be held March 16,2025 or until the room block is filled. After this date, remaining rooms in block will be released and the group rate and room types will no longer be guaranteed.
Nearby Hotels
The Hilton Garden Inn Dallas
(Connected directly to The Hurst Conference Center)
(Connected directly to The Hurst Conference Center)
1615 Campus Drive
Hurst, Texas 76054
817-281-5800
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites
820 Thousand Oaks Drive
Hurst, Texas 76054
817-427-1818
Nearby Attractions
Restaurants
- Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy
- BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
- Bronco's Sports Bar & Grill
- Catfish & Co.
- Chili's
- Dairy Queen
- Del Taco
- Dunkin' Donuts
- Golden Chick
- In & Out Burger
- Italiannis Restaurant
- Carino's Italian
- Logan's Roadhouse
- McAlister's Deli
- McDonalds
- Olive Garden
- Outback Steak House
- Potbelley
- Pei Wei
- Pulido's Mexican Restaurant
- Quick Trip Store
- RaceTrac
- Red Hot & Blue
- Red Lobster
- Red Robin
- Slim Chickens
- Sonic
- Starbucks
- Subway
Airports
- DFW International Airport (10 mi)
- Dallas Love Field (22.5 mi)
Attractions
- Alley cats Entertainment (2 mi)
- Globe Life Park in Arlington (13 mi)
- AT&T Stadium (13 mi)
- Chisholm Park & Aquatics Center (3mi)
- Grapevine Mills Mall (12 mi
- Hurricane Harbor (16 mi)
- IFly Indoor Skydiving (2mi)
- Iron Horse Golf Course (5 mi)
- Mountasia (1.2 mi)
- North East Mall (.5 mi)
- NRH20 (1 mi
- Nytex Sport Center (1.5mi))
- Rave Cinemas at North East Mall (.5mi)
- Six Flags (15 mi)
- Texas Motor Speedway (18 mi)
- Texas Star Golf Course (5.7 mi)
- Downtown Fort Worth (12 mi)
- Fort Worth Stockyards (11 mi)
- Downtown Dallas (25 mi)