RIA Annual Conference 2020

About the RIA Annual Conference 2020
"How UK Rail will reboot the economy"

Joining instructions for the RIA Annual Conference have now been sent to all registered delegates. If you have not received these, please contact us urgently via email [email protected].uk or telephone 020 7201 0777.

"The Railway Industry Association’s Annual Conference is always an important event, offering the opportunity for rail supply businesses to engage with clients and policy makers. For Network Rail, it’s a great opportunity to meet with the many businesses that support our work and to discuss the key issues of importance to our rail network. This year the Conference may be moving online, but the agenda looks as good as ever and it will provide a vital opportunity for us to meet and engage, at what is such a crucial time for our railways.” 

Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chair of Network Rail

"More so than ever, the rail industry must come together to address the challenges we face, so it’s fantastic that the Railway Industry Association annual conference is bringing together so many members. I’m really looking forward to speaking with you all and exchanging ideas on how we can ensure a safe, green, sustainable recovery from the pandemic and regenerate the UK economy."

Andy Byford, Commissioner of Transport for London

Date and time

Wednesday 4, Thursday 5 and Friday 6 November 2020

Day 1 (Wednesday 4 November)
9:30-12:00 and 14:00-16:00 Formal Conference Programme including Andy Byford, TfL, and Mark Thurston, HS2

Optional networking sessions will be added throughout the day.

From 19:00 RISE Awards ceremony with networking and Cocktail Masterclass. Access to the awards, including a package containing gin (or an alcohol-free alternative) delivered to your door for the cocktail masterclass are included in all conference delegate tickets!

Venue

Online

Given the impact of Coronavirus The RIA Annual Conference will be a virtual event this year. 

This means that not only will you be able to follow all the action as it happens, but you can also re-watch the highlights at a time and place to suit you. We know how important it is for our delegates to network with industry colleagues, and our virtual offering will allow plenty of opportunity to do just that as well!

Best Conference of the Year
As previous winners of the Best Conference of the Year at the TAF (Trade Association Forum) Best Practice Awards, we are working hard on bringing you the kind of event you have come to expect from us. RIA is proud of what we have achieved already this year in hosting our meetings and presentations in a new digital format, and your positive feedback has been fantastic!

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Description

RIA's Award-winning Annual Conference is a much-regarded highlight of the UK rail calendar and 2020 will be no exception – not despite of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic but because of them. The conference may be virtual, but it will still bring together RIA member companies of all sizes with clients, industry leaders, influencers, international guests and policy makers for three days of informative discussions and networking.

This year’s Conference focuses on the theme of “How UK Rail will reboot the Economy”. Over the space of three days, the programme will combine keynote speeches, panel discussions, interview sessions and unique networking opportunities, giving delegates the chance to connect with key industry leaders. Despite the challenges posed by current travel restrictions, we are able to enhance the agenda with a strong global presence in a variety of exports focused sessions.

This year’s conference will be hosted by Paul Clifton, BBC Transport Correspondent, and see a number of senior players across UK rail and beyond taking part, including:

• Andy Byford, Commissioner, Transport for London
• Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris MP
• Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon MP
• Exports Minister Graham Stuart MP
• Florence Eshalomi AM MP
• Andrew Haines, Chief Executive, Network Rail
• Mark Thurston, Chief Executive, HS2
• Sir Peter Hendy, Chairman, Network Rail
• Andy Byford, Commissioner of Transport for London
• Sue Kershaw, MD Transport, Costain
• Mary Grant, CEO, Porterbrook
• Adeline Ginn, Director, Women in Rail
• Nick Smallwood, CEO, Infrastructure and Projects Authority
• Kaspars Briskens, Head of Strategy & Development; RailBaltica
• David Hughes, Director of Strategy & Programme, TfN
• James Bain, CEO, Worldline
• Anna Delvecchio, Development Director - Transportation UK & Europe, Mott MacDonald
• Steve Butcher, Executive General Manager, John Holland Australia
  

With more being confirmed all the time – keep an eye on announcements

Delegate fees

Your ticket includes:

• Full access to our 3-day conference programme with networking opportunities
• Post event presentation access
• Access to our evening RISE Awards and cocktail masterclass on 4th November – with Hedgerow Gins package included! (Note you will need to submit your delivery address to receive your drinks; ticket orders after 23 October may not receive their cocktail package in time for the RISE Awards)

RIA Members & supporters (Infrastructure Owners, Transport Authorities and UK Government)
3-day conference programme with networking opportunities and post event presentation access, as well as access to the RISE Awards and cocktail masterclass on 4th November (ticket includes cocktail package). £150 + VAT

Non-members in the UK Rail Supply Community and Overseas delegates
3-day conference programme with networking opportunities and post event presentation access, as well as access to the RISE Awards and cocktail masterclass on 4th November (ticket includes cocktail package). 

Who is attending?
More than 100 rail organisations have already registered to attend! Don't miss out on a unique virtual experience! 

You can find some of the organisations participating in the above collage.

Railway Industry Association: A Video Introduction

Earlier this year, we celebrated our 145th anniversary with a gala dinner in London. This ITN video showcases a cross-section of our flagship events and you might just spot some familiar faces, too… 

Click here to find out more


If you have any enquiries about the conference:
• Contact the Events team via [email protected] or 020 7201 0777; or
• Contact Membership Engagement Manager, Rose Garber, at [email protected] and 07824 665007, who can also help with sponsorship opportunities.