Description

Registration Is Now Open! 

Annual Dinner

2026 President, Eric Pitcher, formally invites you to join the Traffic Club of Chicago for an unforgettable and inspirational marquee networking event.

Meet and mingle with industry leaders and connect with fellow professionals over drinks and conversation.

**Mark your calendar for the transportation & logistics industry's can't miss event!**

Date & Time:
Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6pm - 11pm

Location:
Aon Grand Ballroom, Navy Pier
840 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL, 60611

Timeline of Events:
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: General Reception & Registration (Lakeview Terrace, 2nd Floor)
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM: 118th Annual Dinner (Aon Grand Ballroom, 1st Floor)
10:00 PM - 11:00 PM: Networking 

Tickets Include:
Hors d'oeuvres
Cocktails 
Plated dinner
Keynote speaker
Networking

Dress Code:
Black tie optional

Tickets Costs:
Members & Member Guests: $275/person
Non-Members: $325/person 
Full Table - Members: $2,750 (guaranteed seating together for your group)
Full Table - Non-Members: $3,250 (guaranteed seating together for your group)

Each table seats 10 people. If you'd like to purchase a full table, simply purchase 10 tickets for the Annual Dinner. 

Note: Complete tables of 10 people will have a reserved table for their company. Groups of less than 10 will be randomly assigned to a table.

 The Golf Outing will take place the day prior, Wednesday, May 13th, 2026, at Cog Hill.

Keynote Speaker - Jim Vena, Chief Executive Officer, Union Pacific

CEO Jim Vena leads Union Pacific with more than 40 years of railroad industry experience, with a demonstrated track record of driving best-in-class operating and service results. 

Vena started from the ground up at Canadian National Railway (CN) and worked in the Engineering, Mechanical and Operating departments, including operating trains as a locomotive engineer. After graduating from university, he worked in management across Operations, Marketing, Strategic Planning and Labor Relations at CN. Vena ultimately was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer.

As Union Pacific’s chief operating officer from 2019-2020, Vena oversaw a team that achieved efficiency savings and delivered the best service product in the company’s history. He served as senior advisor to the chairman in 2021 and returned to Union Pacific as CEO in August 2023. As CEO, his goal is to continue to drive best-in-class results in Safety, Service and Operational Excellence.

Currently, Vena serves as chairman of the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Previously, he was a board member of Direct ChassisLink Inc. (DCLI) and FedEx, and served on a number of railroad-associated boards in his career.

Golf Outing

Date & Time:
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 8am - 5pm

Location:
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club
12294 Archer Ave
Lemont, IL 60439

Timeline of Events:
7:30 AM - 8:45 AM: Bag Drop & Breakfast *All golfers must arrive by 8:15 AM*
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Golf Outing (Shotgun start)
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Networking BBQ

Tickets Include:
Breakfast
Green fees
Golf carts
Course contests
Networking BBQ after golf

Golf Rates:
Course 1: $239/person
Course 2 (Ravines): $269/person
Course 4 (Dubsdread): $389/person
Networking BBQ Only (no golf included): $89/person

Club Rentals

If you will be renting golf clubs for the Annual Dinner Golf Outing, we recommend reserving a set before-hand by calling the Cog Hill Pro Shop at (630) 257-5872 ext. 1318

Rain Policy
The Annual Dinner Golf Outing will take place rain or shine. If the course becomes unplayable due to severe weather, rain checks will be issued upon request.

Sponsorship & Advertising: 

The following sponsorship opportunities are available for registration. To register as a Sponsor, please select "Sponsorship Registration" and select the sponsorship tiers of your choice. 

*Note: All companies that sponsor at the $1,500+ level will be eligible to have a Executive from the organization seated at the Head Table on the ballroom stage. This honor also includes exclusive access to the Head Table Guest VIP reception, the Pipe & Drum procession, and introduction by name and company name before the dinner begins. To include a Head Table guest ticket, please select a "Head Table Guest" option in the "Attendee Registration Options".* 

Please reach out to Staff with registration questions or fill out the Sponsorship Packet and submit by email to staff@traffic-club.org 

Hotel Reservations: 

You can now make reservations using the booking link to get the group rate up until the cutoff date of Wednesday, April 29, 2026 or until the room block is sold out, whichever comes first.

TCC has a room block reserved at the Sable hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, located inside of Navy Pier at the discounted room rate of $275/per night plus tax from May 12 - May 14, 2026.

You can make your reservations by clicking this link (click "Edit Stay" and the "Special Rates" button, then "Update" to get the room block pricing) or by calling the Sable Hotel at 872-710-5700 and mentioning you are with the Traffic Club of Chicago.

Don't wait, make your hotel reservation by click here now!