Talking

about

There is no cost to attend the symposium, and it is open to invited
guests only.

This year the Lipinski Symposium will address issues and opportunities in freight transportation for the Chicago region. Chicago has been, and remains, the freight hub to the nation. This began with the natural connection between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River first utilized more than 300 years ago. The centrality of Chicago in the nation’s freight system was secured with the advent of the railroads in the 19th century. Today, the confluence of Interstate highways, and the national dominance of O’Hare Airport keep Chicago the nation’s freight center.

This pre-eminence of Chicago as a freight hub brings the region a high level of national and international connectivity for goods movement, supporting local industries, markets, and jobs. At the same time, this role brings challenges, in the form of congestion on all modes, delays as freight is interchanged among railroads and between rail and truck, and consequent problems of safety and air pollution.

Participants in the 2009 Symposium will hear perspectives on the freight challenges and opportunities facing Chicago and the nation presented by leaders in government, industry, and academia. They will have the opportunity to discuss achievements and consider action priorities to make freight flows to and through Chicago more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally sound.

The Location

Located on the western shores of Lake Michigan in the heart of Northwestern University's Evanston campus, the James L. Allen Center is the home of the Kellogg School of Executive Education. Designed and managed exclusively to support the School's degree and non-degree executive offerings, the Allen Center hosts over 6000 executives annually to one or more conferences and executive programs.