NEARS FALL 2026

Registration Now Open

Secure your spot today for networking, industry insight, education, and one of the premier rail transportation conferences in the Northeast.

LIMITED-TIME OFFER
SHIPPERS ATTEND FOR ONLY $199
Qualified Shippers Receive Exclusive NEARS Conference Pricing
SEE IF YOU QUALIFY →
NEARS Fall 2026 Pittsburgh

NEARS Fall 2026 Conference

Join NEARS in Pittsburgh. Reserve your hotel room and complete your conference registration today.

Why Attend a NEARS Conference?

NEARS brings together railroaders, shippers, suppliers, industry leaders, and future talent for meaningful networking, education, and connection.

Industry Networking

Build relationships with railroads, shippers, suppliers, consultants, and transportation professionals.

Executive Insight

Hear directly from leaders on rail trends, freight markets, operations, service, and supply chain strategy.

Business Development

Discover new customers, partners, vendors, and service opportunities across the rail freight industry.

Education & Learning

Stay current on rail transportation, policy, infrastructure, technology, safety, and market conditions.

Scholarship Support

Support NEARS scholarship efforts that help students pursuing degrees, trades, and transportation careers.

Lasting Connections

Reconnect with familiar faces and meet new professionals in a welcoming, relationship-driven setting.

Scholarship Train
NEARS Scholarships

NEARS Scholarships Are Now Open

The North East Association of Rail Shippers continues its commitment to supporting students through the NEARS Scholarship Program. Scholarship awards are distributed directly to recipients, with NEARS noting awards are at least $1,000 per scholarship based on the available pool.

Applicants should review the full scholarship details, eligibility requirements, and submission information on the official NEARS scholarship page.

View Scholarship Information Learn more and apply through the official NEARS scholarship page
NEARS Mission
Bringing together buyers and sellers of rail transportation to improve efficiency, communication, and the future of freight rail.
  • Promote efficient freight handling across shippers, receivers, and railroads
  • Foster open discussion on car supply, service, and practices
  • Advance new rail transportation methods and techniques
  • Represent shipper perspectives to key industry and regulatory bodies
  • Address economic, legislative, environmental, and safety impacts
Why nears?

In the past 6 months, I’ve used my NEARS connections to:

  • Do reference checks on a new TMS with people who actually use the software
  • Find a location to stage railcars near a customer to reduce lead times and better manage inventory
  • Facilitate a transload operation
  • Ask questions on railcar maintenance, repair, and design
  • Find a specialty provider for cleaning and refitting tank cars
  • Collect estimated costs to support logistics feasibility studies
  • Help train employees into new roles
  • Recruit new team members
  • Locate railcar capacity for short-term logistical support

At the last conference, I met:

  • 4 railroad account managers and their directors
  • Director and VP-level executives from multiple leasing companies
  • 2 investment analysts who provide transportation industry insight
  • 20 new shipper peers who manage rail for their companies
  • 2 transportation software providers offering services I need
  • 2 government officials who serve as consumer advocates and shipper resources

As a result of attending NEARS, I gained:

  • Updates on the rail marketplace from speakers and industry contacts
  • Access to a full attendee list for future networking
  • Access to speaker presentations and permission to contact speakers about content used in business presentations
NEARS BENEFITS:
Become a Member!

There are many organizations to choose from, so why choose NEARS?

Preformatted letter to attend
phone large
Content

View our on demand content.  Both Video on Demand and Podcasts, our conferences are eligible for ASCM Points.

Scholarships

We have awarded over $100k to students from all over the United States, one of the many benefits of being a NEARS member.

NEARS AWARDS

Honoring those who serve our industry, the NEARS Hall of Fame and Transportation Person of the Year are awarded annually.

NEtworking

Our conferences offer plenty of networking opportunities. View Past Attendees!

Advertising & sponsorship
Get your business seen, our website attracts over 400k unique views per year.
Our Board of directors

Our BOD represents all aspects of the shipping community.  As we are a shippers organization, our bylaws restrict railroad employees from becoming officers.

CARL
Past President
Carl Citelli 


mark r
President
Mark Ritchey

Curry Rail Services

rob pisani
1st VP
Rob Pisani

CIT

tc website
2nd VP
Thomas Coleman

Shale Rail/NEFT

scott
Executive Director
Scott McCalla
Board Members:

Amanda Barber -  NS

Mike Barbato  - Retired

Robert Barnet -  BNSF

Don Cameron -  Retired

Michael Clements  - CSX

Jesse Fetters  - Carboline

Paul Grosche  - AMTR

Todd Hunter  -  NorthShore

Joe Kenny  - Keystone RR

Mike Koehler -  UP

Jay Medlin  - Compass Rail

John Meyers  - D.M. Bowman

Stacy Ossenfort -  Railstrong

Roger Reynolds  -  OMYA

Jason Seidl  - TD Cowen

Vikki Van Vliet  - US Bank

Dennis Wilmot - Iron Horse Logistics

2023-2025        Carl Citelli

2022 - 2023      Erica Breiterman

2020 – 2021      Dennis Wilmot 

2018 - 2019       Jason Seidl

2016 - 2017      Don Cameron 

2014 - 2015      John Meyers 

2012 - 2013      Scott McCalla 

2010 - 2011      Dana Burleigh 

2008 - 2009      Tammy Baker-Silver 

2006 - 2007      Gerald Racette 

2004 - 2005      Diane El-Hakim 

2002 - 2003      Michael Cella 

2000 - 2001      Kathy Dalrymple 

1998 - 1999      Paula Mehan 

1996 - 1997      Michael Calabucci 

1994 - 1995      Joe Gearin 

1992 – 1993      Brenda Horne 

1990 - 1991      Joe Gearin 

1988 - 1989      Kenneth Enzor 

1986 – 1987      Ruth Gale 

1984 – 1985      Kenneth Enzor 

1982 – 1983      Ken Bowers 

1980 – 1981      Gene Bernard

2017 – Present                                       Scott McCalla

·       2004 – 2016                                             Joe Gearin

·       1986 – 2003                                             William Donovan

·       1980 – 1985                                             John Morton