All Aboard Ohio convenes statewide and national voices as momentum builds

COLUMBUS, OH - All Aboard Ohio today announced the launch of the Inaugural Ohio Rail Summit, a statewide convening that will bring together public officials, transportation professionals, advocates, and regional partners to discuss the future of passenger rail in Ohio and the Midwest.

The Ohio Rail Summit will take place on April 18 at the Energy Advancement & Innovation Center on The Ohio State University campus.

The Summit comes at a pivotal moment for passenger rail, as Ohio and neighboring states engage with new federal programs, regional planning efforts, and long-term transportation investments that are accelerating how rail projects move from concept to implementation.

The Ohio Rail Summit replaces the organization’s longtime Annual Meeting, reflecting the expanded scope and growing importance of passenger rail in Ohio. The new format emphasizes collaboration across sectors and regions, recognizing that passenger rail development increasingly depends on coordination among public agencies, local leaders, and regional partners.

“The Ohio Rail Summit reflects how the conversation has changed,” said Mitch Radakovich, Board Chair for All Aboard Ohio. “Passenger rail in Ohio is no longer a niche issue. It is part of a broader discussion about mobility, infrastructure, and regional connectivity, and it requires a forum that brings those voices together.”

The inaugural Summit will feature perspectives from national leaders, advocates, and emerging voices shaping the future of passenger rail and transportation policy.

Confirmed speakers include Joel Szabat, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at Amtrak, who will discuss national passenger rail priorities and provide updates related to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program. The program will also feature Sean Jeans-Gail, Vice President for Government Affairs and Policy at the Rail Passengers Association, who will share insights from Washington, D.C. on the evolving federal landscape for passenger rail advocacy. Rounding out the lineup is Hayden Clarkin, widely known as The Transit Guy, who has built a national following by engaging everyday people in conversations about transit and mobility and will share lessons from communities across the country.

A limited number of Summit sponsorship opportunities remain available for organizations that want to visibly support the growing momentum behind passenger rail and regional mobility in Ohio. Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $2,500 and include brand visibility, event participation, and engagement opportunities with transportation leaders from across the state and region.

Additional details are available at https://www.allaboardohio.org/ohio-rail-summit. An agenda and additional speaker announcements will be released in the coming weeks.

Media outlets interested in covering the Ohio Rail Summit may request interview opportunities through All Aboard Ohio. Media inquiries and interview requests should be directed to Beth Russell at beth@allaboardohio.org.

Media resources, speaker bios, and interview information are available in the Ohio Rail Summit press kit: https://www.allaboardohio.org/summit-presskit