The 2017 iteration of the Australasian Railway Association’s AusRAIL PLUS conference and exhibition looks to be off to a flying start, with 22 speakers announced, and the young rail professionals’ pitching competition officially opened.
Last year’s pitching competition – with new ideas coming from railway professionals 30 years or under – was well received by the AusRAIL Plenary audience, and this year’s competition promises to be even bigger.
2017’s winning idea pitcher will receive a trip to Innotrans 2018 in Berlin, Germany, including four nights’ accommodation and return airfares.
“With close to $60 billion in committed investment scheduled for the Australian rail industry over the next five years, now is the time to identify, promote and advance your ideas of the future,” an AusRAIL representative said.
400 to 600 word concepts should be submitted on the AusRAIL website by July 7.
Meanwhile, 22 speakers have been confirmed for the event’s conference program so far:
- Danny Broad, CEO, Australasian Railway Association
- Bob Herbert AM, Chair, Australasian Railway Association
- Sir Terry Morgan CBE, Chairman, Crossrail UK
- Andrew Dudgeon, Managing Director, Bombardier Transportation
- Paul Larsen, CEO, Brookfield Rail
- Tim Riches, Group Strategy Director, Principals
- Neil Scales OBE, Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads
- Mike Houghton, Chief Executive Officer, Metro Trains Melbourne
- Stephen Troughton, Deputy Secretary Infrastructure and Services, Transport for NSW
- Deb Spring, Chair, Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board
- Simone Hartley-Keane, General Manager Human Resources, Pacific National
- Andrew Lezala, Managing Director, Metro Trains Australia
- Emma Thomas, Director General, Transport Canberra
- Max Eichhorn, Executive General Manager, Mobility Division, Australia and New Zealand, Siemens Ltd
- Damien White, CEO, TasRail
- Loretta Lynch, Managing Director, Keolis Downer Gold Coast
- Jens Goennemann, Managing Director, Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre
- Roy Cummins, CEO, Port of Brisbane
- Charlie Macdonald, CIO, DB Schenker
- Erin Watson-Lynn, Director, Asialink Diplomacy
- Nick Easy, CEO, Queensland Rail
- Michael Miller, CEO, Downer Rail
- Jonathan Lafforgue, General Manager Operations and Environment, NSW Ports
Rail Express is again partnered with AusRAIL, and will produce its annual AusRAIL print edition for distribution to subscribers, and at the event itself.
Find out more about the event on the official website.