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Registration + Agenda

AGENDA

ALL TIMES EASTERN
All events in the Virginia Ballroom unless noted
This page will often be updated as staff finalizes sessions & speakers

COUNCIL NOTE: If you would like to schedule time for a Committee meeting during RNDC24, please contact Joe Aiello ([email protected])

  • Sunday, March 17

  • 10:00a - 4:00p Board of Directors Work Session (Room details sent separately)
    • Not Open to the Public
  • 4:00p - 5:00p Registration Open
  • 5:00p - 6:00p Public Board Meeting

  • Monday, March 18

  • 8:00a Registration Open
  • 8:30a Logistics/Housekeeping Announcements
  • 8:35a Welcoming Remarks
    • Meredith Richards, Board Chair, Rail Passengers
    • Jim Mathews, President & CEO, Rail Passengers
  • 9:00a Keynote Address: Leadership Panel - “Success Stories: Evaluating the Impact of Passenger Rail Service in the Southeast”
    • Jay Corbalis, Vice President of Public Affairs, JBG Smith
    • Mayor Steve Little, Marion, NC
    • Vice Mayor Pat Dent, Williamsburg, VA
    • City Councilor Luke Priddy, Roanoke, Virginia
  • 10:00a BREAK
  • 10:15a Amtrak Presentation
    • Update on the planning and relationship building Amtrak is doing as part of its network expansion efforts
      • Nicole Bucich, Vice President, Network Development - Amtrak
      • Fred Gazzolo, Vice President, Product Development & Customer Analytics - Amtrak
  • 11:00a Federal Railroad Administration Presentation
    • Update on FRA’s Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study
      • Katie List - Community Planner, Office of Railroad Development, FRA
      • Dr. Santiago Cruz-Roveda, Supervisor, Office of Regional Outreach and Project Delivery, FRA
      • Doug Gascon, Division Chief, Rail Program Policy & Performance, Office of Rail Program Development
  • Noon LUNCH
    • Luncheon Speaker
      • Update on FRA’s Implementation of IIJA Rail Programs, building better working relationships with states
        • Christopher Coes, Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, USDOT
  • 1:15p Legislative Briefing + Day on the Hill Preparation
    • Sean Jeans-Gail, Vice President of Government Affairs, Rail Passengers
  • 2:15p BREAK
  • 2:30p Workshop: Supporting the Corridor Identification Program Development
    • Joe Aiello, Director of Community Outreach & Organizing, Rail Passengers
  • 3:30p BREAK
  • 3:45p (Concurrent) Workshop: Preparing for the Next Surface Transportation Reauthorization
    • Sean Jeans-Gail, Rail Passengers
  • 3:45p (Concurrent) Workshop: Advocacy 101/Council Orientation (Mason)
    • Jim Mathews, Rail Passengers
    • Meredith Richards, Rail Passengers
    • TJ Girsch, Vice-Chair, Rail Passengers
  • 5:00p Wrap-Up & Housekeeping
  • 5:30-6:30p Chairwoman’s Reception (Virginia Hall)
    • All attendees welcome

  • Tuesday, March 19

  • ALL DAY Day on the Hill
    • 8:00a - 4:00p Registration Open
  • 11:00a - 3:00p Rail Passengers New Office Open House
    • 1200 G St NW, Suite 520
  • 6:00p AleNation
    • Hard Times Cafe, 1404 King St
    • Guest Speaker: Barley Fields, Associate Program Manager for Multimodal Transportation, AASHTO
    • Separate Ticket Event

  • Wednesday, March 20

  • 8:00a Registration Open
  • 9:00a Chair’s Opening Remarks
    • Meredith Richards, Rail Passengers
  • 9:30a President’s Report
    • Jim Mathews, Rail Passengers
  • 10:00a - 1:00p Council Business
    • At-Large Council Election
    • Candidate Certification Committee Election
    • MARC Election
    • Board of Directors Candidate Introductions
    • 2024 & 2025 Fall Meeting Discussion
  • 1:15p Conference Closes
  • Post Conference - Voting opens for Board of Directors election