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This letter provides all the information needed to register for the Tenth Triennial National Rail Employer Training Seminar (NRETS) to be held August 8, 9, and 10, 2018, at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, in Chicago, Illinois. There is a registration fee of $30.00 to help cover the costs of refreshments and other incidentals. Seminar attendees are responsible for their own transportation, meals, and lodging expenses.
This seminar is designed for those persons who work in, or manage, the subject areas of service, compensation, and contributions reported to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), and related areas. This includes, but is not limited to, payroll personnel, accountants, controllers, claims agents, benefit administrators, auditors, and executives of employers covered under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA).
Please share this information with all the appropriate parties within your organization.
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The Seminar in Brief
The seminar begins with a general session for all attendees at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and ends at 11:30 a.m. Friday. The Management Member of the Board, Steven J. Anthony, will open the seminar, followed by the Director of Policy and Systems, Ms. Kimberly A. Price. Also, the RRB’s Senior Executive Officer, Mr. Daniel Fadden will discuss the agency’s strategic plans and goals for the future. The topics include information on the agency’s direction in this era of social media and automation, customer service improvements and new initiatives in the way we do business with our constituents in the rail industry.
The plenary session is followed by two breakout sessions. Six breakout sessions are scheduled for Thursday and three on Friday. Each attendee chooses the particular breakout sessions that meet his or her needs. We have two new sessions, including one covering the fundamentals of Internet reporting and the other on RRB debt collection matters.
Also a representative from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association will again host a discussion along with a representative from the RRB on changes that affect Short Line employers.
Breakout Sessions
A description of each breakout session is enclosed and we have a variety of topics from which to choose. This includes basic topics which provide general information in all areas of compensation reporting for attendees who are new; sessions covering advanced compensation and related tax issues; and sessions providing information on our automation efforts. Each attendees should sign up for the sessions they want to attend. Also, if there are any other topics you would like to see covered during our seminar, please let us know. Add your comments on the online registration form and we will try to insure that those topics get covered and let you know which session you should attend. If the classes you select fill to capacity, we will notify you of any changes we make to your schedule. So register early!
Luncheon General Session
In combination with the luncheon you will receive an informative presentation on an industry related issues (sspeaker to be announced).
How to Register
You have several options for registering and paying for the seminar. You can register and pay on-line at www.rrb.gov. The online link to the NRETS registration process will be available on the home page beginning May 29.
Or you can:
- Print a copy of your registration and fax it to the RRB to the number shown below. Please mail your payment separately;
- Print a copy of your registration and mail it to the RRB with your payment; or
- Use the printed form enclosed with this letter and mail it to the RRB with your payment.
A check or money order can also be sent to the address shown below. Please indicate when the original registration was faxed. Please complete one form for each person attending the seminar. Photocopies are acceptable.
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Mail registration to:
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U.S. Railroad Retirement Board
Quality Reporting Service Center
844 North Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60657-1275
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FAX registration to:
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(312) 751-7123
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Please register as soon as possible but no later than, July 29, 2018. We will accommodate reservations received after that date, but we require a count of attendees by July 29th for meeting room and contract purposes. Confirmations of registration and payment will be sent to attendees by email upon receipt. Confirmations will include directions to the hotel. If you do not receive your confirmation notice within two weeks of the seminar, contact the Quality Reporting Service Center by telephone at (312) 751-4992 or email to QRSC@RRB.GOV.
Hotel Reservations
The seminar is being held at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois in the heart of Chicago’s business, dining and shopping district with many activities available within walking distance. The guest rooms have dual-line telephones and internet access. Arrangements have been made with the hotel to give attendees a discounted government room rate of $193 per day plus 17.4% tax (King Size Only). A limited number of rooms are being held for check-in the day before the seminar. If you plan to arrive on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, please make your reservations early.
To make reservations by phone, call the Palmer House Hilton Hotel at 1-877-865-5321 and reference the event group code “RRB”. To make online reservations, click the following link https://book.passkey.com/e/49694793 and from the guest type menu select “attendee”. Enter your date preferences and click “Find” at the top of the page. Reservations must be received by July 9th to receive the discounted rate. Do not delay, register today!
Luncheon Session
Thursday’s luncheon session starts at 12:30 p.m., and includes a cash bar lunch, and a general session. The cost of the luncheon is $57.00 and advance reservations and payment are required. Attendance at the luncheon is optional. Each entrée includes a Caesar Salad and Strawberry Pound Cake with Hersey’s Chocolate Sauce & Strawberry Sweet Cream. The entrée is as follows:
A Duet of Petit Filet & Oven Basted Chicken Breast marinated in Rosemary and Garlic with the Chef’s Choice of vegetable and side.
A vegetarian entrée of Rigatoni Primavera seasonal vegetables, garlic, basil roasted tomatoes, aged parmigiana-reggiano for individuals with special dietary restrictions.
If you choose to attend the luncheon, please complete Part C of the registration form.
Continuing Education Credit
Many licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credit for attendance at our workshops when you submit the course outline and a certificate of attendance. Contact your own board or organization to find out what is required. If you want a certificate of attendance, sign up at the registration table and your certificate should be available on Friday.
Questions
If you have any questions about the seminar or require a special lunch meal or accommodations, please address them to QRSC staff at (312) 751-4992. We are looking forward to seeing you in August.