AREMA Young Professionals Experience 

The AREMA Young Professionals Experience has been designed to give three young professional railroaders the opportunity to attend the AREMA 2020 Annual Conference & Expo for FREE.  The Young Professionals Experience will provide a professional 40 years old and under the chance to attend the AREMA Annual Conference for the first time, network and learn alongside other professionals in the railroad industry.  In addition to an onsite Conference experience, winners will receive a 2021 AREMA Membership to continue growth within AREMA.  If you or someone you know could benefit from this opportunity, please share the below information and encourage them to apply. 

AREMA Young Professionals Experience Package Includes:

  • Full Conference Registration to the AREMA 2020 Annual Conference & Expo
  • Three nights hotel accommodations (single occupancy). Sunday, September 13 through Tuesday, September 15 (hotel assigned by AREMA)
  • Meals included during event hours
  • AREMA Young Professionals Reception: Sunday, September 13, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
  • AREMA Young Professionals Speed Networking Event: Monday, September 14, 1:00 – 2:00 PM
  • Ticket to the Annual Committee Chairs Luncheon: Tuesday, September 15, 12:15 – 2:00 PM
  • 2021 AREMA Membership

Experience does not include seminars in conjunction with the Annual Conference, incidentals, meals outside the event, transportation (including airfare and all other ground transportation).   

Qualifications to Apply:

  • First time attendee at the AREMA Annual Conference
  • Current full-time employment with a railroad or rail transit agency
  • 40 years old and under
  • Employed in the railroad industry full time at least three (3) years
  • Complete Application below by July 8, 2020
  • AREMA Membership not required 

Criteria for Selection:

The Review Committee will select individuals whom they believe are most likely to leverage this learning opportunity and apply the knowledge gained to benefit their careers and organizations.  

Important Dates:

Deadline for Submission is July 8, 2020
Winners will be notified on or about July 31, 2020  

Requirements Once Selected:

  • Provide a copy of your travel arrangements.
  • Provide a headshot of yourself to be included in marketing materials (website, social media, etc.).
  • Must be willing to sign a release form to be featured in Conference promotions. 
  • Complete a post-Conference statement regarding your experience by September 30, 2020.  


Pictured from left: 2019 Young Professionals Experience Winners Adam Becker, David Roberts, Skylar Leach, with AREMA Leadership Ed Sparks, Jim Kessler & Beth Caruso. 

"A mentor once told me that in order to fully be involved in the railroad community you have to actually attend the AREMA Conference and see it for yourself and he was 100% correct. Attending the Conference gave me the opportunity to meet and connect with so many industry professionals, that have so much experience and want to share their knowledge with interested younger people, and I made sure to soak it all in."
~ Skylar Leach, 2019 Young Professionals Experience Winner
" Attending the AREMA Annual Conference allowed me to network with industry professionals, some of which I knew beforehand and some I had the privilege of meeting for the first time. It is often overlooked how important a face to face conversation is with someone and many I had only ever had an email conversation with."
~ Dave Roberts, 2019 Young Professionals Experience Winner