A one-day forum for the leaders shaping where rail goes next

The Next Decade Starts Now

The rail industry is at an inflection point.

Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Technology is redefining what a railroad can do. Policy decisions made in the next few years will determine whether the industry leads - or scrambles to catch up.

The Future of Rail Symposium: The Decade Ahead brings together rail executives, government officials, industry associations, and the shippers who depend on rail to answer one question: what will it take for rail networks to better compete with trucking over the next 10 years? 

Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 Location: Chattanooga, TN | The Signal at the Chattanooga Choo Choo

Who Should Attend

This event is built for the people responsible for shaping, funding, and operating the rail networks of America.This event is designed for decision-makers responsible for technology, operations, and strategy across the rail ecosystem.

‍Ideal Attendees:
  • C-Suite and Executive Leadership at Class I, Regional, and Short Line Railroads
  • Government Officials and Regulatory Leaders
  • Industry Associations and Policy Advocates
  • Rail Shippers and Logistics Executives
  • Technology, Manufacturing, and Infrastructure Providers
Attendance is intentionally limited to preserve senior-level conversation and meaningful access across the ecosystem.

Event Overview

The Future of Rail Symposium is a one-day working forum - part policy discussion, part technology showcase, part market intelligence session.

The program spans the full rail ecosystem: federal regulatory outlook, freight market data, infrastructure investment strategy, and the operational technologies that will define the next generation of rail networks.

Speakers include a sitting federal regulator, freight data analysts, and operators and vendors deploying real solutions across the network today.

What to Expect:
This is where strategy, policy, and execution meet in the same room.

Agenda Overview

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET | Industry Symposium | Industry Pass Required

Opening Keynote: Federal Regulatory Outlook for Rail

Patrick Fuchs, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board

Reshoring: New Demand, New Networks

Rail Infrastructure for a Reshoring Economy - presented by SONAR

SONAR Intermodal and Rail Market Outlook

Data-driven analysis of freight trends, capacity, and what's coming next

Locomotives and Rolling Stock

Next-generation automation, onboard connectivity, and predictive maintenance systems

Track Infrastructure

Smart monitoring, asset health analytics, and data-driven maintenance strategies

Logistics and Operations

Optimizing scheduling, freight movement, and passenger services using AI and real-time data

The Smart Rail Network

Architecting a fully automated, connected railway ecosystem

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET | Networking Happy Hour

A relaxed session with speakers, sponsors, and rail executives. The room after the agenda is often where the best conversations happen.

Agenda

Click to expand for more information; all times shown in EDT.

Locomotives and Rolling Stock: Next-Generation Automation, Onboard Connectivity, and Predictive Maintenance Systems

7/28/26 9:40 am

Reshoring: New Demand, New Networks: Rail Infrastructure for a Reshoring Economy

7/28/26 11:25 am

Track Infrastructure: Smart Monitoring, Asset Health Analytics, and Data-Driven Maintenance Strategies

7/28/26 1:00 pm

SONAR Intermodal & Rail Market Outlook

7/28/26 1:55 pm

Logistics and Operations: Optimizing Scheduling, Freight Movement, and Passenger Services Using AI and Real-Time Data

7/28/26 2:30 pm

The Smart Rail Network: Architecting a Fully Automated, Connected Railway Ecosystem

7/28/26 3:15 pm

Speakers

keynotes

Industry Leaders

a 7-minute showdown

Rapid-Fire Demos

Do you have what it takes to present your product in record time? Our Rapid-Fire Demos showcase the latest industry advancements and technology by ensuring the most important details are covered as participants work against the clock. You will have seven minutes to introduce the audience to your company and product. Once your time is up, the lights go out and the audio is cut—no exceptions! Compete against industry peers for coveted Best In Show recognition. Think you have what it takes to beat the clock? Sign up to demo today!
SIGN UP TO DEMO

Enter for a chance to pitch & win $100K in prizes

Marketing & Media Summit

Are you a marketing expert who is looking to take your game to the next level? Think you have what it takes to compete against the best of the best?

For the first time, F3 will offer attendees a one day session – the Marketing and Media Summit – where marketing and brand experts from some of the hottest brands will share insights on how to leverage all forms of modern media (social media, influencers, digital, and video) to tell your story, grow your business and sell your product.

As part of this summit, FreightWaves will hold the first ever Ultimate Marketing Challenge, and three winners will receive prizes totaling $100,000 to accelerate their marketing efforts and reach 100,000+ freight industry leaders with a FreightWaves Media & Events credit!

Learn more, and sign up for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could launch your organization to new heights! Act fast before this opportunity passes you by.

the hottest freight party of the year

J. B. Hunt 360º Party

Experience the lights, live music and festivities and get to know others in the industry at this one-of-a-kind party hosted by J.B. Hunt and FreightWaves! You’ll enjoy live music, fantastic food and custom cocktails as you dance the night away at the annual party, which is held in an open-air pavilion in downtown Chattanooga. This party is like no other, just like F3: Future of Freight Festival!

proudly partnering

Event Sponsors

reserve your spot today

Space is limited, reserve your spot today!

Future of Rail Symposium l Chattanooga, TN l July 28, 2026 l The Signal at the Chattanooga Choo Choo

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