ARC closes up shop - Industry Outlook - Association of Railway Communicators - Brief Article

Railway Age, June, 2003

The Association of Railway Communicators, the oldest industrial editors association in North America, has discontinued operations after 81 years. "Our industry has undergone a massive consolidation since the passage of the Staggers Act in 1980 that partially deregulated the railroad industry," said ARC President Milt Clark of Montana Rail Link.

"In recent years, it became increasingly difficult for ARC to attract and keep members. That count stood at 55 as recently as 2000, when we drew 30 to our conference in Vancouver, B.C. In 2002, we had 32 members, with 13 attending our conference at Hilton Head Island, S.C., last September. Several Class l's recently withdrew support, opting to invest their communication budgets elsewhere. In early 2003, our membership stood at 16, with little hope that we could add to that number in a significant manner to adequately hold a conference this year-one we had hoped would be in Montreal."