After months of meticulous planning, the Australasian Railway Association (ARA)’s AusRAIL PLUS 2019, the southern hemisphere’s largest rail conference, has released another diverse and informative agenda.
With the Conference theme ‘Delivering Growth; Creating Opportunity; Embracing Technology’ in mind, the agenda focusses on broad topics such as: Making Cities Livable; Supporting Employment; Technology for the Future.
Delving deeper, the event features several keynote addresses, panel discussions, technical streams and much more; including the exciting Young Rail Professionals Pitching Competition, which sees five rail industry professionals (30 and under) present their revolutionary idea to the AusRAIL audience.
“AusRAIL PLUS 2019 provides the opportunity for all sectors of the rail industry to come together and network in an environment conducive to engagement, discussion, learning and debate over three full days of informative speeches and panel sessions, technical presentations, networking dinners and exciting exhibits.” Danny Broad, CEO, ARA
AusRAIL PLUS 2019 commences on the 2nd December with a Welcome Reception from 4pm giving delegates the opportunity to beat the morning rush the following day, pick up their conference passes and begin networking with other attendees in a relaxed environment.
The official day one of AusRAIL commences on the 3rd December with a welcome from ARA CEO, Danny Broad before Eleni Petinos MP provides a NSW Transport outlook. Prior to the first networking break, representatives from Sydney Metro, CFB Contractors, John Holland, UGL and Northwest Rapid Transit will hold a panel discussion regarding ‘Delivering Innovation in Industry Partnerships,’ primarily focusing on the new Sydney Metro and North West Rail Link.
Following the morning tea break, Bernard Tabary, International CEO, Keolis Group will speak to ‘Innovation in Integrated Transport’ before delegates hear insights into three nation-shaping project updates from Cross River Rail, Melbourne Metro and NZ City Rail Link.
The Young Rail Professionals Pitching Competition completes the mid-morning sessions prior to the lunch break in the exhibition halls, giving all attendees the opportunity to vote for the most innovative pitch.
The conference program will then split into five technical streams – RTSA, RTAA, IRSE, Rail Suppliers and the ONRSR, affording delegates to choose the sessions that align with their areas of interest. The first full day concludes with exhibition networking drinks sponsored by McConnell Dowell.
Day two begins with an Inland Rail update from Richard Wankmuller before a special keynote presentation on the Future of High-Speed Rail.
Two industry panels looking into supporting employment takes us to the lunch break prior to four technical streams. The second day concludes with the first of the two networking dinners, the RTAA Yellow Tie Dinner sponsored by Bombardier, to be held in the Grand Ballroom at the ICC Sydney.
The final day of AusRAIL PLUS 2019 begins with an address from Bob Herbert AM, ARA Chairman, closely followed by a presentation on the benefits of digital transformation for rail freight from Deutsche Bahn. Back-to-back industry panels covering working with customers to make rail more competitive and investment: what’s needed to continue to fund rail infrastructure for the future? take us to the ARA Future Leaders Program Project pitches. Again, these innovative pitches from some of the brightest young professionals in the rail industry will be judged in part by the conference audience via the event app. Discussions on these exciting and worthwhile projects often continue through informal networking during the lunch interval.
Presentations in the afternoon session will delve into technology for the future, headlined by a keynote from Ian Jefferies, President & CEO, Association of American Railroads (AAR)* as he gives a talk on rail’s role in keeping the economy on track and an update on how technology fuels the American rail network. The conference concludes with the Gala Dinner, sponsored by Downer to be held at Luna Park Sydney.
400+ Exhibiting Organisations
In addition to the conference agenda, AusRAIL PLUS 2019 features the largest rail exhibition in Australasia. With over 400 organisations on display, visitors will need the full three days to take it all in.
Entry to the exhibition is free should you wish to browse. Exhibitors range from large multinational companies to small-medium local businesses all with interests in the Australasian rail industry.
A selection of organisations that are participating in the exhibition includes Alstom, Downer, McConnell Dowell, CAF, Loram, Thales, ABB, Broadspectrum, CRRC, Faiveley Transport, Liebherr-Australia, Knorr-Bremse Australia and John Holland.
The exhibition also features the Innovation Hub, sponsored in 2019 by Jacobs, where attendees can listen in on the exciting interactive sessions during exhibition opening times across all three days.
“Clear your calendar now and join us in Sydney, December 3-5, for AusRAIL PLUS 2019. This event is not to be missed!”
For more information and to book your place at AusRAIL PLUS 2019 visit: www.ausrail.com
*subject to final confirmation