Get Approval to Attend Intermodal EXPO
A practical business case for gaining market intelligence, building relationships, and bringing back solutions your team can use.
Why EXPO is worth the investment
- EXPO brings together the full intermodal ecosystem: railroads, motor carriers, marine and port leaders, IMCs/3PLs, shippers/BCOs, suppliers, and technology providers.
- The 2026 program is built around practical execution: how companies can improve service, control costs, strengthen networks, and respond to a changing freight market.
- New programming and expanded on-floor engagement make it easier to connect with decision-makers, preview solutions, and return with actionable next steps.
Why this investment delivers real ROI
Intermodal EXPO is designed to turn a few focused days into measurable business value: stronger relationships, better market visibility, a vetted supplier pipeline, and operational ideas that can be applied immediately.
Drive revenue and partnership growth
- Connect with 1,800+ intermodal decision-makers and influencers across the supply chain.
- Meet current and prospective customers, vendors, and partners in one efficient setting.
- Compress months of outreach into a few days of high-value face-to-face conversations.
Gain actionable market intelligence
- Hear from senior leaders shaping the direction of freight, including Jim Vena and Katie Farmer.
- Understand how rail strategy, shipper expectations, capacity, technology, and potential market disruption are influencing intermodal decisions.
- Bring back practical insights on network optimization, service reliability, asset utilization, and cost management.
Evaluate solutions that improve efficiency
- Explore the EXPO floor for technology, equipment, data, visibility, and operational solutions.
- Use on-floor education and Dialogue Box-style programming to compare practical ideas quickly.
- Identify vendors and approaches that can support visibility, terminal efficiency, automation, data integration, and service performance.
Strengthen strategic relationships
- Reconnect with partners across rail, trucking, ports, 3PLs, shippers, and technology.
- Use networking receptions, lounges, and curated programming to build relationships beyond scheduled meetings.
- Align with customers and providers on the issues affecting long-term intermodal growth.
What is new for 2026 and why it matters
| 2026 enhancement | Business value |
|---|---|
| Executive perspective | Jim Vena and Katie Farmer bring senior rail leadership perspectives to the program, helping attendees understand where freight, service, and network strategy are headed. |
| Shipper Experience | Curated programming for BCOs and shippers is designed to make EXPO more accessible, relevant, and valuable for freight decision-makers. |
| More activity on the EXPO floor | Expanded opportunities for on-floor education, networking, and solution discovery give attendees more reasons to spend time with exhibitors and partners. |
| Dialogue Box and practical education | Short, focused sessions help attendees compare ideas and solutions without leaving the center of the action. |
| Relationship-building spaces | Lounges, private meeting opportunities, and targeted networking help attendees turn introductions into meaningful follow-up. |
| Young professional engagement | Expanded programming helps companies invest in emerging talent and connect the next generation to the intermodal community. |
What you will bring back to the business
- A concise summary of the trends shaping intermodal, rail service, shipper needs, technology adoption, and network strategy.
- A vetted shortlist of vendors, partners, and solution providers aligned with current business priorities.
- Actionable recommendations for improving visibility, reducing cost, supporting service reliability, or strengthening partner coordination.
- New contacts and follow-up opportunities that can support sales, operations, procurement, or strategic planning.
The cost of not attending
It is missing the conversations, solutions, and market signals that competitors and partners will be using to make decisions.
- Missed partnership opportunities with companies already active in the intermodal market.
- Delayed awareness of solutions that could improve efficiency, service, or cost performance.
- Less visibility into market shifts, customer expectations, and rail network strategy.
- Reduced presence in the room where the intermodal community is aligning around what comes next.
Calculate the ROI for our business
| Input to estimate | Example placeholder |
|---|---|
| Average deal or partnership value | $[Deal Value] |
| Number of high-value follow-up opportunities | [Opportunities] |
| Estimated conversion rate | [Conversion %] |
| Potential cost savings identified | $[Savings Value] |
| Total cost to attend: registration, travel, hotel, meals | $[Total Cost] |
Example output: pipeline value + cost savings identified ÷ total cost to attend = projected ROI. Use conservative assumptions to make the case credible.
Ready-to-send approval email
Hi [Manager Name],
I would like to attend Intermodal EXPO, the industry event that brings together railroads, motor carriers, ports, 3PLs, shippers, suppliers, and technology providers across the intermodal ecosystem.
Based on our current priorities, I believe attending will deliver measurable value by helping me identify new partners, evaluate practical solutions, and bring back market intelligence we can use immediately.
Key business benefits include:
- Building relationships with 1,800+ intermodal professionals and decision-makers
- Evaluating technologies and solutions that may improve efficiency, visibility, service reliability, or cost performance
- Hearing directly from senior industry leaders, including Jim Vena and Katie Farmer, on the issues shaping freight and intermodal strategy
- Participating in new 2026 programming, including expanded on-floor education, shipper-focused content, networking opportunities, and solution-focused discussions
After the event, I will share a concise debrief with key takeaways, recommended partners or solutions, and specific opportunities we can consider for follow-up.
The estimated total investment is $[Cost], and I expect the value from new contacts, insights, and potential efficiency opportunities to exceed that cost.
Please let me know if you would like to review the details together.
Thanks,
[Your Name]
