IANA 2026 business meeting to tackle cargo theft, AI and economic volatility

The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) will host its 2026 Intermodal Business Meeting May 4–6, 2026, in New Orleans convening leaders from across the freight industry to address opportunities for boosting intermodal market share while feeling pressures from cargo theft, economic volatility and operational strain.

Held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, the annual meeting brings operators, executives and port and rail leadership together for education, committee work and peer-driven working sessions on the issues most affecting freight transportation today.

Agenda highlights

This year’s agenda features sessions on the intermodal economic outlook, cargo theft, AI, operations and maintenance priorities, and port and rail developments, along with committee meetings and education sessions designed to foster collaboration and advance industry dialogue. Program highlights include the Intermodal Economic Outlook, A Conversation with Port NOLA / NOPB, Intermodal at Risk: The Growing Challenges of Cargo Theft and a session on how AI is moving from pilot to deployment. Attendees can also participate in a New Orleans Public Belt Railroad facility tour.

“Intermodal is seeing real growth due to increasing truckload capacity constraints and high fuel prices, but is facing real pressure from cargo theft and economic volatility to operational strain across the supply chain. The Business Meeting is where this industry comes together to confront those challenges head-on, share solutions and keep freight moving,” said Anne Reinke, President and CEO of IANA.

Registration is open to members and non-members.