Railroad Day on Capitol Hill date changed
Written by jrood
Due to an unexpected change in Congressional scheduling, Railroad Day Organizers must reschedule the 2011 Railroad Day on Capitol Hill. The event will now take place Thursday, July 14, 2011.
Each year, the organizers
work to select a Railroad Day date that meets three criteria: (1) a day when
Congress is in session and Representatives and Senators are in D.C.; (2) a day
when a "reasonable" D.C. hotel rate and ballroom availability can be
secured; and (3) a date that does not conflict with other industry events.
The previously selected
date of March 24 met all three criteria. However, with the election of a new
Republican House, the incoming House leadership has taken an unusual approach
to scheduling. A week in which Congress is ordinarily in session has now
been scheduled as a week out of session. This was unexpected and dozens of
other conventions are in the process of rescheduling, as well.
While the new July 14 date
is later than originally planned, it is the first date that the hotel had a
sufficient room block to accommodate the required numbers. Organizers focused
on rescheduling rather than canceling because this event is absolutely crucial
to ongoing success in working with the Congress and Administration here in
Washington, D.C.
ASLRRA will also
likely stage an ASLRRA-LPC fly-in in early spring, 2011. ASLRRA’s LPC
leadership believes that a fly-in is necessary to secure the early support of
Members of Congress, particularly the new Members who know little about the
short line industry. The July meeting will allow for the "big show," which
organizers believe is so critical in demonstrating the national reach and
importance of the rail industry.
AAR, one of the key
partners in this endeavor, has agreed for the need to proceed on July 14, and
they may also conduct an earlier fly-in as well.
The chosen hotel is the
Grand Hyatt Washington, with a room rate of $239. The room block will open
February 1.
