|
|
| US High Speed Rail Association News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
The excitement for our High Speed Rail Conference in Chicago June 1-3 continues to build! We are proud to announce Pat Quinn, the Governor of Illinois will be headlining our big event. With a number of other elected officials, business leaders and international high speed rail experts coming, its sure to be a great conference for all!
Executives at USHSR have been busy lately building support for the nation's new high speed rail network. Earlier this week, USHSR's president Andy Kunz was on Fox Business News on the Varney & Co. show discussing high speed rail.
Last week USHSR's VP for Government Affairs Thomas Hart was a speaker at the U.S. Department of Transportation Small Business Summit in Washington DC.
USHSR's Small Business Database continues to grow and receive attention. New firms are getting involved each week.
Recently, Joseph Shelhorse, VP for Membership Services met with several business groups to promote the benefits of high speed rail and membership in USHSR.
The Federal Railroad Administration is beginning to roll out the awards from the latest round of applications that came in from 24 states with California receiving additional money.
Register early for our conference in Chicago next month to save money and guarantee your place at this historic event!
Welcome new USHSR members! For those that have not yet become a member, join USHSR today and save additional money on registration and sponsorship opportunities for your firm in Chicago.
See you in Chicago! Sincerely,
Anthony Le,
Operations Manager USHSR Washington, DC
202.248.5001 |
|
|
The 2011 High Speed Rail Conference you don't want to miss... Be there!
|
Illinois Governor. Pat Quinn to Speak at Chicago Conference!
A big supporter of high speed rail, Governor Quinn will be participating in our high speed rail conference taking place in downtown Chicago June 1-3.
Governor Quinn is working to advance a number of rail projects, both passenger and freight upgrades to provide more options for moving people and goods around the state and the region.
Governor Quinn has been a long time supporter of rail as a vital form of transportation to the people of Illinois. |
Other Highlighted Speakers Include: |
|
New Speakers are Being Added Every Week
|
|
Network with Business and Political Leaders
|
 | | Business Development, Networking, Exhibits |
Members of Congress, the Obama Administration, and Governor Pat Quinn will be participating in this conference. Network with business leaders and international high speed rail experts, and learn about the many ways to get involved in this national infrastructure project for America. Hear about ways to bring private capital into the mix to pay for these new systems. Learn about the rapidly growing support among the business community across multiple sectors for HSR in America. Listen to the conservative case for HSR, and why supporting HSR is good for America.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available at several levels. Sponsor one of the coffee breaks, a conference session, or one of the evening receptions. Exhibit your firm's products and services in the conference exhibition area with a range of available spaces from large exhibit space to table top displays. More information
This is the event to be part of in one of the nation's busiest rail cities! More info
Register today! Early discount ends tomorrow (Friday)
|
USHSR's President Andy Kunz on Fox Business
 | | Click image to watch |
|
| USHSR's Thomas Hart on USDOT Conference Panel |
 |
|
Last week, USHSR's Vice President of Government Affairs Thomas Hart was a speaker at the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Small Business Summit in Washington DC. The event received over 300 attendees including government officials, private sector executives, and celebrities. The event provided a business forum, which explored the important issues of small businesses around the country pertaining to the transportation industry and provided valuable business resources to small businesses.
Panel discussions focused on strategies to meet the demands of today's competitive business environment, highlighting the transportation industry's future and commitment to innovation. The panel most centered on innovation and new infrastructure, "High Speed Rail: Moving Fast and Furious into the 21st Century" presented updates on the current status of high speed rail in the US and the incorporation of Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) goals and community building. The panel discussed initiatives and challenges the High Speed Rail industry faces.
Distinguished panelists were Joseph Szabo, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Al Engel, Vice President, Amtrak, Melvin Clark Jr., CEO, G.W. Peoples Contracting Company, Inc., and Thomas Hart, Vice President of Government Affairs & General Counsel, USHSR. Mr. Hart speaking on behalf of USHSR, provided a status update on high speed rail projects in different corridors across the country, shared his vision on "The Private Investment in High Speed Rail Act" which is proposed legislation he introduced to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee earlier this month. He also expressed his advocacy for more participation by small businesses in the development of high speed rail projects nationwide and one main point he got across is that Congress needs to pass legislation so that the Federal Railroad Administration be mandated to have small and disadvantaged business goals incorporated in their federal contracts.
For more information: The Department of Transportation OSDBU Small Business Summit |
USHSR's Small Business Database Takes Off
 | | Click image to view Database |
The Department of Transportation Small Business Summit also provided companies the opportunity to learn more about USHSR's Small Business Database. A number of USHSR's registrants of the database attended the Summit and networked among the crowd of corporate and government executives.
Following the DOT Summit, Thomas Hart met with Brandon Neal of USDOT to discuss ways USHSR and DOT can collaborate in the future to ensure small business participation in significant government and private sector contracts in the transportation industry. The Department of Transportation is expected to award an additional $2 Billion in new high speed rail contracts in the very near future. The USHSR Small Business Database will assist small businesses to get involved with these contract opportunities.
To register on the USHSR Small Business Database please click here:
USHSR Small Business Database
List your firm now!
|
 |
|
FRA HSR New Round of Grants Begin to Roll Out
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $100 million for the state of California to purchase new rail cars and locomotives to increase service on the state's existing rail system, which saw more than 65% increase in ridership over the past decade.
"With gas prices at record highs, President Obama is committed to making sure Americans can choose safe, efficient passenger rail options for reaching their destinations," said Secretary LaHood. "Thanks to this investment in new, American-made rail cars and locomotives, Californians will continue to enjoy the congestion relief, economic growth, and affordable travel provided by these popular rail lines."
Additional money is expected for the state's advanced 220 mph high speed rail network moving forward, set to cover some 800 miles from Sacramento to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and on to San Diego - revolutionizing travel in the state.
FRA and DOT are finalizing the next round of grant awards to the recent round of applications that came in for the $2 billion rejected by Florida. An almost equally bipartisan group of 24 states sent in over 90 applications for the money. |
|
|
|
See you in Chicago!
Register today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
