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

§  Do reference checks on a new TMS with folks who actually use the software

§  Find a location to stage railcars near a customer to reduce our lead times and better manage inventories

§  Facilitate a transload operation

§  Ask dozens of questions on railcar maintenance, repair, and design

§  Find a specialty provider for cleaning and refitting of tank cars

§  Collect estimated costs to support multiple logistics feasibility studies

§  Help me train my employees into new roles

§  Recruit new team members

§  Locate railcar capacity for short term logistical support

At the last conference, I met:

§  4 of my Railroad Account Managers and their Directors

§  Director and VP level executives from multiple leasing companies

§  2 Investment Analysts who provide insight into the transportation industry as a whole

§  20 new peers (shippers who manage rail for their companies)

§  2 Transportation Software providers, who provide services that I am in the market for

§  2 government officials that act as consumer advocates or shipper resources

As a result of my attendance, I got:

§  Updates on the rail market place from all the speakers and contacts I made

§  Access to a full list of attendees to be able to network with them in the future

§  Access to the presentations of the speakers and permission to contact them regarding the content that I used in business presentations