From 11 – 13 July, Philadelphia, PA, USA, will be the world capital for high-speed rail. The American city is going to welcome all the main stakeholders and decision-makers who contribute to decisions on the introduction of high-speed rail systems across the world: high-level representatives from government authorities, international and regional organisations, financial institutions and banks, as well as senior executives and experts from the railways, the railway manufacturing industry, railway research, etc. Around 1,000 participants are expected to visit UIC HIGHSPEED 2012, the 8th world congress on high-speed rail to be held in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The main theme of the congress is “High-Speed Rail: Connecting People, Building Sustainable Prosperity.” This world’s largest gathering around high-speed rail will be focused on successful strategies, latest developments, best practice and innovative technologies. Political, economic, financial, technical and operational aspects of high-speed rail projects will be covered as well as the new customer services and challenges of the environment and sustainable mobility UIC HIGHSPEED 2012 is organised by UIC, the worldwide trade association of railways, in close cooperation with the American Public Transport Association APTA and with the support of North American UIC members (the Federal Railroad Administration at the US Department of Transportation, the Amtrak national passenger company, the Association of American Railroads AAR, VIA Rail Canada). The congress will welcome a large number of eminent speakers, among them transport ministers or secretaries of state of the United States – Ray LaHood –, Japan, China, Spain, Poland, Turkey, etc., Presidents and CEOs of railways, railway industries, public transport companies and their associations such as UIC and APTA, representatives of the European Union (ERA),..
UIC HIGHSPEED 2012 will offer participants a rich and extremely diverse programme: Official Opening Session with keynote speakers including Ray LaHood, the US Secretary of Transportation, high-level round tables with ministers and railway CEOs, who will provide an overview on all high-speed rail achievements or projects around the world, and a series of parallel sessions focused on more technical or more specific issues.
UIC HIGHSPEED is also a Trade Exhibition on High-Speed Rail where manufacturers will present their most successful achievements, their products and research activities. An exhibition with trains and train equipment is being organised by Amtrak as well as a programme of technical visits prepared by Amtrak and SEPTA (Pennsylvania Transport Authority). In addition, a specific programme has been prepared with a selection of students from all regions of the world.
Details of the congress programme can be found at www.uic-highspeed2012.com
Accredited media representatives will have access to the congress programme including the congress press conference on Wednesday 11 July following the Opening Session and the inauguration of the Trade Fair.
Before receiving confirmation of their accreditation, media representatives have to register via https://www.uic-highspeed2012.com/Congress/Media/Press-accreditation/page/6957/
