Join thought leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the industry as the Commuter Rail Coalition convenes the 2025 Commuter Rail Summit.
The commuter rail industry will convene in Washington DC November 3 – 5, 2025 for round table discussions, fireside chats with industry leaders, technical tours and next-level networking to prepare for both the challenges and the unprecedented opportunities awaiting commuter railroads.
The CRC Summit is the opportunity to connect with industry peers in an intimate setting, to explore new ideas, and collaborate over today’s most pressing commuter rail issues.
Summit Sponsors:
WHAT TO EXPECT
Convene for two+ days of robust content, peer-to-peer discussions and fireside chats, plus technical tours offered by MARC and VRE.
Connect with agency leaders, colleagues, and policymakers. Each day offers multiple opportunities to build relationships across the industry, such as Monday’s Welcome Reception, at Tuesday’s Cocktail Hour and Awards Dinner, and as we travel VRE and MARC service on technical tours.
Collaborate throughout the week: discuss best practices, learn with and from others in the industry, share your own solutions to help solve industry challenges, and to embrace opportunities on the horizon.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Agency CEOs, Deputies, CXOs
Operations, Safety, Marketing and Public/Government Affairs team members
OEMs, suppliers, consultants, contractors and other commuter rail allies.
Mid-career professionals: the 2025 Summit will offer intentional mentorship connections, conversations on executive presence, and resume assessments from leading recruiters in the industry.
WHERE WE’LL MEET IN WASHINGTON, DC
Yotel, a Modern Concept Hotel on Capitol Hill | 415 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
SUMMIT SESSIONS
Best Practices: Managing Project Costs and Risks in the Face of Inflation and Tariffs
Creative Resourcing: TOD And Beyond
Telling the Commuter Rail Story Through Data
Making Sense of AI
Ask Me Anything session with Veteran CEOs
Moving the Needle on Grade Crossing Incidents
Navigating The Next Wrung on the Ladder to Leadership (Or, What I wish I knew before I took this job)
Best Practices for Effective Hill Meetings
PLUS: Conversations with Members of Congress and USDOT appointees.
AND “OFFICE HOURS” with industry-leading executive search consultants.
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2025 SUMMIT IS NOW CLOSED
Registration fees for the 2025 Commuter Rail Summit are inclusive of:
Monday night’s Welcome Reception - sponsored by DB E.C.O. North America
Tuesday evening’s Cocktail Hour and Champion of Commuter Rail Awards Dinner (Cocktails sponsored by Tracsis. Dinner sponsors are Icomera US and Hatch, with wine service courtesy of Clever Devices, and dessert courtesy of Aon.)
Breakfast, lunch and breaks Tuesday and Wednesday
Technical Tours with VRE and MARC
Registration will be limited to 225 guests. All registrations must be completed in advance: due to capacity constraints there will be no on-site registrations for this event.
CRC Members: $795 before August 15/$925 after
Non-Members: $1,200, as capacity allows
A la Carte Pricing: Even If you are not attending the full conference, you may join us for the evening events by purchasing individual tickets:
Monday’s Welcome Reception: $75 Members/$85 Non-Members
Tuesday Evening’s Cocktail Hour & Awards Dinner $275/$325
(Both of these events are included in full registration rate; no need to “double book.”)
Change of plans?
Transfer your registration to a colleague at no cost through October 24. A 50% administrative fee applies for cancellations received after October 10.
BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE YOTEL
The Summit headquarters hotel is the Yotel on Capitol Hill (formerly The Liaison), a modern-concept property. The CRC hotel rates have now expired, but you may still be able to secure a room at the property.
The hotel is within easy walking distance of Summit off-site events.
Or, call Central Reservations - 1-833-319-1883
PROGRAM DETAILS
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2:
9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Optional golf outing in support of student registrations at the 2025 Summit (sold out)
Transportation to Blue Mash Golf Course, courtesy of Jeezny SourcingMONDAY, NOVEMBER 3:
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Badge Pick Up Desk is Open | The Yotel7:00 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.
MARC Technical Tour: departs 7 am from the hotel lobby (sold out)1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
CRC Board Meeting | The Yotel – Hub
CRC members only; RSVP required. Lunch available at 12:30 p.m.5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Opening Reception: Welcome to Washington
Thornton Room | Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Sponsored by DB E.C.O. North AmericaTUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4:
Sessions held at The Yotel
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Badge Pick Up Desk is Open | The Yotel7:30 – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Sponsored by Stacy Witbeck/MRS8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Opening General Session
Sponsored by Network Rail Consulting8:30– 10:30 a.m.
Making Sense of AIAM BREAK
Sponsored by Rolling Stock Solutions11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Creative Resourcing: TOD and Beyond12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Lunch
Sponsored by Alstom
Navigating the Next Rung on the Ladder to Leadership2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Implementing Contract Price Adjustments in an Era of High Inflation and TariffsPM BREAK
Sponsored by Alstom3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Telling the Commuter Rail Story Through Data6:30 p.m.
Cocktail Reception
Ballroom Foyer, Hilton Capitol Hill, 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Sponsored by Tracsis7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Champions of Commuter Rail Awards Dinner
Grand Ballroom, Hilton Capitol Hill
Sponsored by Hatch & Icomera US, with wine service courtesy of Clever Devices and dessert course courtesy of AONWEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5:
Sessions held at The Yotel
7:30 a.m. – noon
Badge Pick Up Desk is Open | The Yotel7:30 – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Sponsored by Keolis Commuter Services8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Ask Me Anything: Q&A With Veteran CEOs9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
A Conversation with Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Ranking Member, House Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials SubcommitteeAM BREAK
Sponsored by Stadler10 – 11:30 a.m.
Moving the Needle on Grade Crossing Incidents11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
*Best Practices for Hill Meetings
*sign-up on site for the included lunch12:50 p.m.
VRE Technical Tour gathers in the VRE Waiting Area, near Track 22 at Washington Union Station.(Times listed are subject to change. Please use the QR code onsite to download the full program and updates.)
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PARTICIPANT CODE OF CONDUCT
The Commuter Rail Coalition is committed to fostering a positive, inclusive experience for all who engage in Coalition activities, which includes a commitment to provide a safe, productive and welcoming environment during CRC events. To that end, CRC has implemented the following policies to guide its own operations and to set expectations for individual conduct in the community.
The CRC Summit and all CRC activities are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, nationality, race, or religion. We expect our attendees and speakers to contribute to a professional and respectful atmosphere. All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, organizers, and volunteers are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct at all CRC-related activities. Organizers and volunteers will enforce this code to ensure a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for everyone.
Unacceptable Behavior
Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, CRC staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, CRC staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
Engaging in innuendo disparaging of an individual’s character.
Disruption of presentations at sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by CRC at the meeting venue, hotels, or other CRC-contracted facilities.
Disruption of presentations, online or in-person at sessions, or at other events organized by CRC online or at the meeting venue, hotels, or other CRC-contracted facilities. All participants must comply with the instructions of the moderator and any CRC event staff. Disruptive behavior includes conduct, whether verbal or non-verbal, that is intended to promote the agenda of an attendee or an attendee’s organization by presenting issues that are outside the scope of the presentation or that are not relevant to the presentation or discussion. Participants who wish to engage in dialog with presenters about such issues are encouraged to do so outside of the presentation, discussion, or other event that is part of the CRC event and in a manner that does not interfere with other attendees’ ability to participate in, and engage fully in, that event or discussion.
Participants shall not knowingly and/or falsely discredit or malign the reputation of another participant, or defame, malign, or make false accusations concerning another participant, host, presenter, or discussion leader.
The recording or transmission of any education sessions, presentations, demos, videos, or content in any format is strictly prohibited.
Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitations for services. CRC reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.
Any direct selling of products/services offered by speakers, industry partners, or consultants in any public area of the virtual platform or in-person is prohibited. Many of the engagement conversations are based around knowledge and expertise and are not categorized as a direct sales pitch. Selling must be conducted during mutually agreed-upon private video, audio, or text conversations.
Participants should not copy or take screenshots of Q&A or any chat room activity that takes place in the virtual space.
CRC has zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment by participants or our staff at our meetings. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, CRC asks that you inform its counsel, Chuck Spitulnik, cspitulnik@kaplankirsch.com(202-955-5600) so that we can take the appropriate action.
CRC reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and CRC reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting. By attending the CRC event, the attendees specifically acknowledge that they will abide by this Code of Conduct and will comply with requests by CRC staff or counsel to cease the behavior that, in the opinion of CRC staff or counsel, constitutes a violation of this Code of Conduct or will comply with a request by CRC staff or counsel to leave the premises.