American Railway Engineering & Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) 2026
Event Date
September 13–16, 2026
Location
Kansas City, MO
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe AREMA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo is the flagship gathering of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA), the North American professional body that publishes recommended practices for the design, construction and maintenance of railway infrastructure. The event will be held September 13–16 in Kansas City, offering attendees a valuable opportunity to expand their railroad knowledge, technical expertise, and professional connections.
The conference draws railway engineers, maintenance-of-way professionals, contractors, suppliers and technology providers from across the rail industry. The program offers education for every experience level, with more than 60 technical presentations covering topics such as emergency response, new technologies, inspections, automation, and artificial intelligence. Conference attendees may earn up to 12+ Professional Development Hours (subject to their state's approval) toward achieving or maintaining their certifications.
A co-located Expo brings suppliers and buyers together on the show floor. Thousands of unique and innovative minds from across the industry gather to exchange ideas and shape the future, giving sponsors and exhibitors powerful visibility and direct access to customers and prospects. The combination of technical education, networking and exhibits makes it a key annual date for anyone involved in railway engineering.
Show Highlights
- 60+ technical presentations: Sessions cover emergency response, new technologies, inspections, automation, and artificial intelligence, delivered by industry experts across many areas of expertise.
- Professional Development Hours: Attendees can earn 12+ PDHs toward certifications.
- On-Demand access: In-person technical presentations are available on demand after the conference, with free access included in the Conference Registration fee (excluding Day Passes and Spouse/Guest).
- Expo hall with sponsors and exhibitors showcasing products and services to the rail industry.
- Networking and special events: Add-on activities include the AREMA Educational Foundation Golf Tournament, a Saturday Night Meet Up, a Student Field Trip, a Young Professionals Social Event, and pre- and post-event seminars.
Registration
Register online through the official AREMA registration portal; a print registration form for payment by check is also available on request.
Conference Registration (includes Expo and post-conference On Demand):
- Member: $920 by August 14, $1000 after.
- Non-Member: $1175 by August 14, $1275 after.
- Special Pricing (Academia Member, Life Member, Presenter Member): $535.
- Presenter Non-Member: $585.
- Complimentary for Past President, Honorary Member, Student Member, and Press.
- One Day Pass (Mon, Tue, or Wed): $585 by August 14, $660 after.
- Spouse/Guest: $100 (must accompany an attendee; does not qualify for PDH).
Expo-Only Entry (no PDH or On Demand):
- Two Day Pass: $510 by August 14, $610 after.
- Complimentary Two-Day Pass for verified railroad, transit, government employees or educators.
- One-Day Pass (Mon or Tue): $385 by August 14, $410 after.
- Exhibit Booth Staff (extra badges): $275.
Cancellations must be received in writing on or before August 14, 2026 to obtain a refund; a 20% processing fee applies to all cancellations, and no refunds are issued after August 14. Transfers may be made on or before September 4, 2026, after which requests must be handled onsite at the Registration Desk.
History
The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) was formed on October 1, 1997, as the result of a merger of the American Railway Bridge and Building Association (ARB&B), the American Railway Engineering Association (AREA) and the Roadmaster's and Maintenance of Way Association (RMWA), along with functions of the Communications and Signals Division of the Association of American Railroads. During the merger, it was decided to use the original AREA name (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association, formed in 1899) as the official name of the new organization and to use the acronym "AREMA."
The rich history of the predecessor organizations, each having over 100 years of service to the rail industry, is the legacy of AREMA. AREMA has over 6,500 members, and its mission is to develop and advance technical and practical knowledge and recommended practices in design, construction and maintenance of railway infrastructure, through seminars, educational opportunities and publication of recommended practice manuals. The Annual Conference & Expo is held each year in a different host city, with the 2026 edition taking place in Kansas City, Missouri.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the AREMA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo?
The conference takes place September 13–16, 2026, at the Kansas City Convention Center, 301 West 13th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105.
Who should attend the AREMA conference?
It is designed for railway engineers, maintenance-of-way professionals, contractors, suppliers and technology providers across the rail industry. The education suits every experience level, from students to seasoned experts.
How do I register and how much does it cost?
You can register online through the official AREMA portal. Full conference registration is $920 for members and $1175 for non-members by August 14, 2026, with higher rates after that date, and various day-pass and expo-only options are also available.
What educational value does the conference offer?
Attendees can access more than 60 technical presentations and earn 12 or more Professional Development Hours toward certifications. In-person presentations are also available on demand after the event, included free with full conference registration.
How do I get to the venue and where should I stay?
The Kansas City Convention Center is about 20 miles from Kansas City International Airport (MCI), roughly a 25–30 minute rideshare or taxi costing about $40–$60. Conference hotels are within a short walk or connected by walkways and should be booked through the official AREMA housing portal, with discounted rates closing August 14, 2026.
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