CHICAGO—May 20, 2025 (James Street Media Services)—The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) Summer Meeting will be held July 8–9, 2025, at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Please note, the meeting will be on Tuesday and Wednesday this year to accommodate the holiday weekend. The theme for the meeting is: “Advancing Tomorrow’s Supply Chain, Today.”

This year’s meeting will feature the annual Scholarship Golf Outing, plus a welcome reception on the first day, Tuesday, July 8. Back by popular demand are the MARS Pickleball Tournament and Networking Picnic, also to be held on Tuesday. The business meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9. 

“As businesses and shippers seek resilient supply chain options, railroads have the capacity to provide safe, efficient, and reliable service,” says Steve Blinn, MARS President. “This summer’s meeting will focus on how the future of our industry is being shaped in this dynamic environment.”

The agenda is still being finalized for the two-day event, but will include high-level executives from railroads, major shippers, and industry experts, including:

• Kevin Boone, Executive Vice President Sales & Chief Commercial Officer CSX
• Aaron Girard, Senior Vice President of Logistics, Seneca Foods
• Karen Hedlund, Vice Chairman, Surface Transportation Board
• John Kennedy, Senior Vice President of Operations, PSC Group
• Adam Nordstrom, Founder & Principal, Viking Navigation
• John Orr, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Norfolk Southern
• ​David Panjwani, Director, Logistics, Deere & Company

…with additional speakers to be announced soon.

MARS 2025 Summer Meeting

Dates
Tuesday and Wednesday, July 8–9, 2025

Location
Grand Geneva Resort
7036 Grand Geneva Way
Lake Geneva, WI 53147

Hotel Accommodations
Grand Geneva Resort and Timber Ridge Lodge
Room Rate is $239

Meeting Cost
$360 registration fee through June 6, 2025. On June 7, registration increases to $435.
Onsite registration $500.

Golf: $175 per person
Pickleball: $130 per person
Early Bird Networking Picnic: $80 (through June 6)
Networking Picnic: $95 (starting June 7)

Registration
• Online conference information and registration
• Email: mars@mwrailshippers.com
• Phone: (872) 212-4134

About The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers
The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) is one of five regional North American associations under the North American Rail Shippers (NARS) national organization. Headquartered in the Chicago area, MARS provides an open forum for discussion and resolution of rail transportation issues by bringing railroads, shippers, receivers, and rail supply companies together twice annually for formal meetings in the Chicago area. To review the most recent meeting presentations, and to inquire about MARS membership, please visit the MARS website at www.mwrailshippers.com.

Note to editors and reporters: Please let us know if you would like free registration to attend the meeting.

MEDIA CONTACT
Bill Fahrenwald
James Street Associates
708-528-0681
bill@jamesstreet.net