NRC Chairman’s Column: Leslie’s Rules of the Road To Make the Most of the NRC Conference

The biggest opportunity on the horizon for railway contractors and suppliers is the NRC’s 2024 Annual Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, January 3 through 6. The smart money says to follow Leslie’s formula for success. 

RAILWAY TRACK & STRUCTURES, NOVEMBER 2023 ISSUE: The biggest opportunity on the horizon for railway contractors and suppliers is the NRC’s 2024 Annual Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, January 3 through 6. The smart money says to follow Leslie’s formula for success. 

I’m a lucky guy. And I know it. I’ve had the good fortune of being married to my wife Leslie for 45 years. She is an accomplished educator – a school principal – who has excelled at building teams and positioning school children to achieve results that exceed expectations. 

She has done a good job of managing me too. Over the years I’ve learned a lot from her about maximizing opportunities. She gets results. They don’t just happen. She is laser focused and has a disciplined approach to getting the most out of every opportunity. 

The biggest opportunity on the horizon for railway contractors and suppliers is the NRC’s 2024 Annual Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, January 3 through 6. The smart money says to follow Leslie’s formula for success. 

Be there – Experiences have expiration dates. Don’t miss out on the premier networking event of the year. Register today and put yourself among 1,400 leaders from across the industry who will be in Scottdale in January. 

Be prepared. Make a game plan – The NRC Conference has a way of sneaking up on you after the holidays. Don’t be tempted to wing it. Put a game plan together before the holidays. Identify key contacts, schedule appointments, and, by all means, pack a carload of business cards. 

Listen and learn something new – Listening is an undervalued skill. You can learn valuable nuggets of information and cultivate teaming prospects by simply listening to others, including during informal social settings. The conference schedule is jam-packed with informative sessions to hear from the most influential leaders in our space. Here are a few can’t miss sessions to put on your radar: 

• Fireside Chat – Hear from Norfolk Southern Corp. (NS) CEO Alan Shaw about the state of the industry and how contractors and suppliers can partner with railroads to address safety and other business priorities. 
• Panel Discussions – For the first time, the conference will feature an Industrial Development panel with representatives from a Class I, a short line railroad holding company, a shipper, and a contractor. Plan to listen to and ask questions of these panelists and others covering the latest on Sustainability, Signals & Communications, and Government Affairs. 
• 2024 Engineering and Capital Plans – Hear directly from chief engineers from Class Is and short lines, as well as large passenger rail and transit authorities.  
• Multiple safety presentations, with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) representatives addressing roadway worker protection and key regulation updates, such as FRA Part 219 on drug and alcohol testing and FRA Part 243 on minimum training standards. 

• Workshop and breakout sessions – These will include the popular speed networking where contractors and suppliers can spend dedicated time with select Class I and short line railroad representatives. 

Help others who need a hand up – We’ve all benefitted from others in our careers. Keep a look out for younger professionals you can assist with insights and connections. Invite an up-and-comer to attend and make introductions, even when it may not involve your company. These goodwill gestures have a way of reaping rewards down the track. 

It’s not too late to register but don’t delay. Scan the QR code to find out all the details, including registration, lodging, the schedule, and exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities. 

In this season of Thanksgiving, I am incredibly grateful for my bride Leslie and the many ways she has steered me in the right direction. Follow her Rules of the Road and you’ll be grateful too.  

Be safe this holiday season. I look forward to seeing you in Scottsdale.  

“Building a Safer and Stronger Railway Construction Industry Together!”