FAQ
General
Registration & Payment
- Why do I need to register?
- I am not a member of AREMA. Why does my confirmation and payment have "AREMA" on it?
- I only want to attend the Exhibition. Why do I need to register through AREMA?
- How do I know what affiliation to select? What if I'm affiliated with more than one organization?
- I thought my company was a member of AREMA. Why am I paying a non-member rate?
- I am an Exhibitor. How do I register?
- I am attending the CMA (Coordinated Mechanical Associations) Technical Presentations. Why do I need to pay a fee to go to the Exhibition?
- I want to visit the Outside Exhibits? How do I get to Humboldt Yard?
- My Spouse plans to attend Railway Interchange with me. Do they have to register and pay a fee?
- What is there for spouses to do?
- What is the AREMA off-site Spouse Event and who can register for this?
- What is the AREMA Annual Chairmen's Luncheon?
- What does the AREMA Conference Registration include?
- What does CMA Registration include?
- What does the Exhibition Registration include?
- I am interested in making a presentation at Railway Interchange. How can I do that?
- I am a student. Do I need to pay a fee to attend?
- I am a railroad/government/academia employee. Do I need to pay a fee to attend?
Housing/Hotel
- What is ConferenceDirect? Why do I need to go through them to reserve a hotel room?
- Why do I only see certain hotels when I go to the HOUSING site to reserve a room?
- I noticed that some of the hotels are not close to the Convention Center. Will there be a shuttle service?
- How do I reach the Railway Interchange Housing Bureau?
- Is there a Headquarters Hotel?
- How do I extend my stay in Minneapolis?
- How can I be sure I get the best rates and accommodations?
- How long can I make changes to my reservation?
- When can I call the Hotel to confirm my reservation?
- Will the Housing Bureau be open through the RI-2011 Event?
- At what time will the hotel apply the one-night room charge to my credit card to guarantee my
hotel reservation? - I haven't received my hotel confirmation. When will it be sent to me?
- I made my reservation and called the hotel to confirm, but they don't have my reservation in
their system. Why? - I need to cancel my hotel reservation.
Exhibition
Other
- How can I reserve a Hospitality Suite for my company?
- Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
General
What is "Railway Interchange"?
Railway Interchange is the name chosen for this first ever combined railway industry event incorporating:
- An AREMA (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association) Annual Technical Conference
- Technical Presentations by the Coordinated Mechanical Associations (CMA)
- Exhibition organized by:
- REMSA – Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association,
- RSSI – Railway Systems Suppliers Inc., and
- RSI – Railway Supply Institute
Which organizations are involved in Railway Interchange?
AREMA, the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association, is an international individual membership professional association that represents the personnel who design, construct and maintain the railways and transit systems around the world. AREMA, through its 29 Technical Committees also develops and distributes the standards and recommended practices for the railway engineering industry.
RSI, the Railway Supply Institute, is the international trade association representing companies with emphasis on the mechanical segment of the railway and transit industry. RSI is also the railway supplier "voice" in Washington, DC and lobbies on behalf of railway suppliers and their customers at the federal and state level.
CMA, the Coordinated Mechanical Associations are administered by RSI and consist of:
- Air Brake Association
- International Association of Railway Operating Officers
- Locomotive Maintenance Officers Association
- Mechanical Association Railcar Technical Services
REMSA, the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association is a trade association that represents companies that manufacture or sell maintenance-of-way equipment, products and services.
RSSI, the Railway Systems Suppliers, Inc., is a trade association that represents companies serving the communication and signal segment of the rail transportation industry.
Registration & Payment
Registration is required for any part of Railway Interchange. You must register and obtain a badge in order to have access to the various conferences, exhibits and other events. Even those granted no-charge access (students, etc.) must register and get a badge. Badges must be worn throughout the event. Please note that all registration fees will increase after the Advance Registration Deadline of August 10, 2011.
I am not a member of AREMA. Why does my confirmation and payment have "AREMA" on it?
AREMA is the industry professional Association and has been designated as the Registrar for Railway Interchange. As Registrar, all registrations, confirmations and payments are processed by AREMA. When you register for the Exhibition and choose your specific association affiliation, the registration information and related fees will flow to that association.
I only want to attend the Exhibition. Why do I need to register through AREMA?
AREMA, as the designated Registrar processes all registrations. If you are a full-time student, a railroad, government or academia employee, your registration is free; however you must be registered and obtain a badge.
If you also wish to attend the AREMA Conference or AREMA seminars you must register for that component and pay the separate fee(s).
How do I know what affiliation to select? What if I'm affiliated with more than one organization?
If you are going only to the Exhibition, try to select the trade association that most closely relates to your primary work activity. (See descriptions under General – "What organizations are involved…?") If you are attending the CMA Technical Presentations and wish to attend the Exhibition, please select "RSI". If you are attending the AREMA Conference, Exhibition admission is included in your fee.
I thought my company was a member of AREMA. Why am I paying a non-member rate?
AREMA is a professional association, and membership is individual and not company based. In order to take advantage of the "Member" rate, you must be (or become) an AREMA member. To become an AREMA member, please visit the AREMA website at www.arema.org and click on the "Membership" tab on the left.
I am an Exhibitor. How do I register?
In accordance with the policy set by RSI, REMSA and RSSI, in order to receive a badge designated "Exhibitor", you must register for the Exhibition and pay the specified fee as an "Exhibiting Member Employee".
RSI and the CMA have set a policy that requires all non-railroaders to pay a separate fee to attend the Exhibition.
I want to visit the Outside Exhibits? How do I get to Humboldt Yard?
There will be shuttle service from the Convention Center to/from Humboldt Yard.
My Spouse plans to attend Railway Interchange with me. Do they have to register and pay a fee?
Yes - All individuals attending any part of the Railway Interchange event must register and have a badge. Spouses of railroad, government or academia employees may register at no charge for the Exhibition. If you are not a spouse of one of the above, there is a registration fee. However, if you are registered for the AREMA Conference, no additional registration fee is required to attend the Exhibition. Admission to the Exhibition is included with your AREMA registration fee.
What is there for spouses to do?
Spouses have several options:
Exhibition
- Spouses of students, railroad, government or academia employees may register at no charge. This gives them access to the Exhibition only.
- All other spouses who wish to attend the Exhibition must register and pay the $50 fee (fee will increase to $100 after August 10, 2011).
- AREMA has an organized "Spouse Program" that includes a Hospitality Suite open during the days of the event as well as a Monday Luncheon Program with Speaker. There is a separate registration fee ($80) for this program.
AREMA has opened this Spouse Program to any spouse at Railway Interchange who pays the separate fee. This fee will also give them access to the Exhibition.
What is the AREMA off-site Spouse Event and who can register for this?
The off-site Spouse Event is a special program on Tuesday (to be announced) that will feature a special tour and a meal. This requires a separate fee ($85) and ticket. Space is limited so reserve early.
AREMA has opened this event to any spouse at Railway Interchange who purchases a ticket for this Event. This ticket is only for the off-site Event and does not include any other access or privilege, nor does it include the regular AREMA Spouse Program.
What is the AREMA Annual Chairmen's Luncheon?
The Annual Chairmen's Luncheon is the opportunity to honor the Chairmen of the AREMA Technical Committees for their service to the industry. The Guest Speaker (invited) will be the CEO of Canadian Pacific Railway. Corporate tables are available, and many suppliers use this as an opportunity to host their customers. Please contact Lisa Hall for more info and to purchase a corporate table.
What does the AREMA Conference Registration include?
Full AREMA Conference Registration includes full access to all AREMA Sessions (except for the Annual Chairmen's Luncheon which is a separately ticketed event), as well as full access to the Exhibition. Day passes are available for a fee.
What does CMA Registration include?
CMA Registration includes access to the joint AREMA/CMA Opening Session on Monday and all CMA Technical Presentations. RSI and CMA have determined that there is an additional fee for CMA registrants if they wish to attend the Exhibition.
CMA Conference Registration does not include Exhibition admission. Please select the appropriate option from the Exhibition Registration section on the Registration Form. CMA members who do not qualify for one of the "Complimentary" admission categories may register at the special "Exhibiting Member Employee" rate.
What does the Exhibition Registration include?
Exhibition Registration includes access to the Exhibit Halls in the Convention Center as well as the outside exhibits at Humboldt Yard. The Exhibits in the Convention Center include three individual concentrations:
- Maintenance-of-Way suppliers under the auspices of REMSA – The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association
- Communications and Signals suppliers under the auspices of RSSI – Railway Systems Suppliers, Inc.
- Mechanical suppliers under the auspices of RSI – Railway Supply Institute.
The outside exhibits are operated by REMSA and RSI.
All together they represent the largest ever North American Exhibition encompassing all aspects of the railway industry.
I am interested in making a presentation at Railway Interchange. How can I do that?
The technical presentations that are part of the AREMA Conference are selected through a rigorous peer-review process. The deadline for submission of abstracts was DECEMBER 15, 2010. If you are interested in submitting an abstract for consideration, please do so before the deadline. To submit an abstract to AREMA, please visit the AREMA website at www.arema.org. For information on presenting at the CMA Conference, please contact RSI at +1.202.347.4664.
I am a student. Do I need to pay a fee to attend?
Full-time students with university ID and a copy of their class schedule can register for all of the events, including the technical presentations, at no charge. If you wish to attend the technical sessions as well as the Exhibition, please register with AREMA. There is a separate fee for any seminars scheduled during Railway Interchange as well as the AREMA Annual Chairmen's Luncheon.
I am a railroad/government/academia employee. Do I need to pay a fee to attend?
Railroad, government and academia employees, with valid employment ID, can register for the Exhibition at no charge. If you wish to attend the AREMA or CMA Technical Sessions you must register with those associations and pay the applicable registration fee.
Housing/Hotel
What is ConferenceDirect? Why do I need to go through them to reserve a hotel room?
ConferenceDirect is a Housing service that has been selected by Railway Interchange to handle all aspects of hotel reservations for the event. In order to reserve a room in the hotel room blocks chosen for Railway Interchange you must use the services of ConferenceDirect.
Rooms blocked through this official authorized system help support the Railway Interchange operation and keep costs lower. We urge everyone to book their room through the system.
Why do I only see certain hotels when I go to the HOUSING site to reserve a room?
Each of the associations involved in Railway Interchange 2011 has selected certain hotels to make it easier for attendees with similar interests to be together. When you selected your "affiliation", you were automatically directed to the group of hotels available to that organization.
If you wish to select a different hotel for any reason, please contact Conference Direct (our dedicated Housing Bureau) for assistance.
YES. Shuttle service will be provided from most hotels.
How do I reach the Railway Interchange Housing Bureau?
USA Toll Free Number: 1.888.538.3920
International Number: 1.801.512.2547
Email: railway@conferencedirect.com
Fax: 704-927-1439
Is there a Headquarters Hotel?
Each association involved in Railway Interchange has designated a "Headquarters Hotel". This may be the location of activities such as hospitality suites or receptions and other meetings related to Railway Interchange; however, attendees are not required to stay in the headquarters hotel, and many will be at other authorized hotels throughout the city that are in the Railway Interchange housing block.
The "Headquarters Hotel" designations are:
AREMA & REMSA - Hilton Minneapolis
RSSI - Marriott
RSI - Hyatt
How do I extend my stay in Minneapolis?
If you want to extend your stay over dates not available online, you will be put on a waiting list for those dates and receive an acknowledgement that the Housing Bureau is working with the hotel to acquire additional rooms to complete your stay. Please call the Railway Interchange Housing Bureau with questions at +1.888.538.3920.
How can I be sure I get the best rates and accommodations?
Room rates are guaranteed until August 10, 2011, as long as rooms remain in the Railway Interchange room blocks. After August 10, hotel room rates and/or availability cannot be guaranteed. Book early for best rates and availability!
How long can I make changes to my reservation?
You may continue to modify or cancel a reservation via the Web or the Railway Interchange Housing Bureau through September 5, 2011 until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
When can I call the Hotel to confirm my reservation?
You can call the hotel directly on September 6, 2011 to confirm or make changes to your reservation. The Housing Bureau will be officially closed.
Will the Housing Bureau be open through the RI-2011 Event?
No. The Housing Bureau will close on September 6, and you will need to contact the hotel directly to make any changes or cancellations after that.
The hotel may begin to apply the charge to credit cards by early September.
I haven't received my hotel confirmation. When will it be sent to me?
When you book your hotel reservation on-line, or with the Railway Interchange Housing Bureau, you will automatically be sent an acknowledgement that your hotel request has been received. The acknowledgement will be sent by the Housing Bureau and is a record that your reservation has been processed and a room is being held for you.
Do Not Call hotels directly until after September 6, to confirm your reservation. The hotels will be downloading all reservations from the Housing Bureau at the end of August. Please allow a few days for this to occur.
I need to cancel my hotel reservation
The Housing Bureau's Call Center will cancel your reservation until September 5, and send an email confirmation. You may also cancel your reservation online. Beginning September 6, please contact the hotel directly to cancel your reservation. To avoid a penalty equal to one night's room and tax charged by the hotel, please adhere to your hotel's cancellation policy.
- A processing fee of $60 will charged for cancellations made through August 29, 2011.
- Beginning August 30, 2011 a $90 processing fee will be charged for all cancellations.
- These charges are in addition to the hotel's cancellation policy, which requires you to cancel your reservation 72 hours prior to arrival or one night's room and tax will be charged.
Exhibition
How Can My Company Exhibit at Railway Interchange?
Three railway industry disciplines are holding exhibitions at Railway Interchange. These exhibitions will be held in three contiguous exhibit halls without barriers. Exhibitors are required to be members of the association with whom they want to exhibit. If your company manufacturers or sells
- maintenance-of-way equipment, products and services, contact the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) at meyerhoeffer@remsa.org or visit www.remsa.org;
- communications and signal equipment, contact the Railway Systems Suppliers, Inc. (RSSI) at rssi@rssi.org or visit www.rssi.org; or
- cars, locomotives and related equipment, contact the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) at rsi@rsiweb.org or visit www.rsiweb.org.
Other
How can I reserve a Hospitality Suite for my company?
RSSI policy does not permit company Hospitality Suites in the RSSI designated hotels.
For RSI Hospitality Suites, contact RSI at +1.202.347.4664.
For AREMA/REMSA Hospitality Suites (in the joint AREMA/REMSA Headquarters hotel), please contact Lisa Hall at +1.301.459.3200, Ext. 705 or Lisa Hall.
Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
- AREMA: +1.301.459.3200
- REMSA: +1.703.992.6111
- RSSI: +1.502.327.7774
- RSI/CMA: +1.202.347.4664
feet of combined, indoor exhibit display space!
More than 1.5 miles of combined, outdoor, on-
& off-track exhibits!
For more information
please contact the
participating organizations:
AREMA
+1.301.459.3200
REMSA
+1.703.992-6111
RSI
+1.202.347.4664
RSSI
+1.502.327.7774