Happening Now
Archive -- Build Northwest Economic Forum & Pacific Northwest Rail Summit
Date
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 Friday, October 17, 2025
Location
Ecotrust Building 907 NW Irving Street Portland OR 97209
PNWER and the Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates (AORTA) are partnering with regional rail advocacy organizations to host the three-day summit.
Key Discussion Topics:
- Permit and regulatory reform at the federal and state/provincial/territorial levels
- Supply chain resiliency in bi-national economic corridors
- Public-private partnerships and innovative financing for transportation infrastructure projects
- Port, short line, Class I rail infrastructure needs
- Restoring and enhancing passenger rail service
"On behalf of Amtrak’s onboard service staff, I want to thank the Rail Passengers Association for honoring their hard work with this award. The past couple years have indeed been difficult for Amtrak onboard service staff – coping with furloughs and job insecurity, adapting to changing protocols and services, not to mention the unfortunate events such as a tragic derailment and a fatal shooting. Nevertheless, our dedicated members at Amtrak have handled these hurdles with the care, attention and diligence for which they’re known. We thank Rail Passengers for their acknowledgement of our members’ hard work and, as always, look forward to seeing you on the rails."
Arthur Maratea, TCU/IAM National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.