We're meeting at the Embassy Suites Uptown, Charlotte, NC from October 21 to October 24 for a meeting full of presentations, a visit to the historic Spencer Shops at the North Carolina Transportation Museum, a tour of the Sullenberger Aviation Museum — home of the Miracle on the Hudson aircraft — and a train ride on the Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railroad to Pinehurst, NC.
Agenda subject to change
- 2:00 – 5:00pm: Registration (location TBD)
Presentations in the Uptown Ballroom
- 7:00 – 8:30am: Breakfast (hotel common area)
- 7:00am – 2:00pm: Registration (location TBD)
- 8:15 – 8:30am: Welcome — Al Churella
- 8:30 – 9:15am: Session
- 9:15 – 10:00am: Session
- 10:00 – 10:15am: Break
- 10:15 – 11:00am: Session
- 11:00am – 12:00noon: Session
- 12:00 – 1:00pm: Lunch (Uptown Ballroom)
- 1:00 – 1:45pm: Session
- 1:45 – 2:30pm: Session
- 2:30 – 3:15pm: Session
- 3:15 – 3:30pm: Break
- 3:30 – 4:15pm: Session
- 4:15 – 5:00pm: Session
Presentations in the Uptown Ballroom
- 7:00 – 8:30am: Breakfast (hotel common area)
- 8:30 – 9:15am: Session
- 9:15 – 10:00am: Session
- 10:00 – 10:15am: Break
- 10:15 – 11:00am: Session
- 11:00 – 11:45am: Session \
- 12:00pm: Bus boarding for NC Transportation Museum (hotel entrance)
- 12:15pm: Buses depart for NC Transportation Museum
- ~5:30pm: Return to hotel
Presentations in the Uptown Ballroom
- 7:00 – 8:30am: Breakfast (hotel common area)
- 8:30 – 9:15am: Members' Meeting
- 9:15 – 10:00am: Session
- 10:00 – 10:15am: Break
- 10:15 – 11:00am: Session
- 11:00am – 12:00noon: Session
- 12:00 – 1:00pm: Lunch (Uptown Ballroom)
- 1:15pm: Bus boarding for Sullenberger Aviation Museum (hotel entrance)
- 1:30pm: Buses depart for Sullenberger Aviation Museum
- ~4:30pm: Return to hotel
- 6:45 – 7:45am: Breakfast (hotel common area)
- 7:45am: Bus boarding for Aberdeen, Carolina & Western excursion (hotel entrance)
- 8:15am: Buses depart for AC&W excursion
- ~2:30pm: Arrive Pinehurst, NC — free time (Engine Room 87, USGA Experience & World Golf Hall of Fame, or downtown Pinehurst)
- 3:45pm: Reboard train in Pinehurst
- 4:00pm: Depart Pinehurst
- ~5:30pm: Arrive Candor, NC — AC&W shops tour & BBQ dinner with Norfolk Southern Lawman Band
- 7:30pm: Bus boarding for return to hotel
- 7:45pm: Buses depart Candor
- ~9:30pm: Return to hotel
Spencer Shops Tour
On Thursday afternoon buses will depart the hotel at 12:15pm for the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer. The afternoon will be spent enjoying lunch as we ride the train followed by a tour of the museum — including the historic shops and behind-the-scenes areas. We expect to return to the hotel by approximately 5:30pm.
Sullenberger Aviation Museum
On Friday afternoon, following lunch, buses will depart the hotel at 1:30pm for the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, located on the campus of Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Originally founded as the Carolinas Aviation Museum in 1992, the museum was completely reimagined and reopened in June 2024 under its new name honoring Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger. Its 35,000-square-foot state-of-the-art gallery houses more than 40 aircraft and over 100 historical artifacts tracing aviation in the Carolinas and beyond.
The undisputed centerpiece of the museum is the actual Airbus A320 from US Airways Flight 1549 — the "Miracle on the Hudson." On January 15, 2009, the Charlotte-bound flight struck a flock of geese shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, losing both engines. Captain Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles ditched the aircraft in the Hudson River, saving all 155 passengers and crew. The plane — still bearing the subtle distortions of its water landing — is displayed alongside a thorough walk-through of the event, from the moments leading up to the bird strike through the NTSB investigation and the heroic rescue effort that followed.
Beyond Flight 1549, the museum offers immersive exhibits, flight simulators, and a broad chronicle of aviation history. We expect to return to the hotel by approximately 4:30pm.
Aberdeen, Carolina, & Western Excursion
Join us for a very special excursion on the Aberdeen, Carolina, and Western Railroad. Buses depart the hotel at 8:15am for the ACWR's Oakboro, NC depot, boarding our charter for a morning run to Pinehurst. Lunch will be served on the train en route.
We arrive in Pinehurst at approximately 2:30pm, with about an hour and fifteen minutes to explore on your own — options include the AC&W Engine Room 87 locomotive bar, the USGA Experience and World Golf Hall of Fame, or simply some time in downtown Pinehurst.
At 4:00pm the train departs Pinehurst for Candor, NC, arriving at approximately 5:30pm for a tour of the ACWR shops followed by dinner with entertainment provided by the Norfolk Southern Lawman Band. Buses depart Candor at 7:45pm, returning to the hotel by approximately 9:30pm.
Venue
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Uptown
401 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28202. Located across from the Charlotte Convention Center and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and just a short walk to Bank of America, Wells Fargo, The Spectrum Center, and Bank of America Stadium. The hotel is also easily accessible to EpiCentre shops, restaurants and nightlife, and the Lynx Light Rail.
While the meeting runs from October 21 to 24, the conference rate of $219.00 per night is available from October 19 to 25. Please use this link to book, or call the hotel directly at (704) 940-2517.
H. Roger Grant Travel Award
The H. Roger Grant Award encourages the development of professional relationships and the dissemination of knowledge relating to the theory and practice of transportation. It is named in honor of our late president, H. Roger Grant, and made possible through the generous support of his daughter, Julia Grant.
Awards of up to $1,250 provide reimbursement for eligible expenses including conference registration, hotel accommodations within the Lexington Group block, and transportation to and from the event.
Applications are accepted from all Lexington Group members. Non-members may also apply, provided they meet membership criteria, have been sponsored by a current member, and have not previously attended a Lexington Group meeting. Preference will be given to individuals actively associated with:
- Libraries / archives
- Historical societies
- Universities
- Tourist railroads
- Shortline and regional railroads
We particularly encourage professionals aged 40 or under to apply.
To apply, email travel@lexingtongroup.org with subject Application for an H. Roger Grant Travel Award by June 1, 2026, and include a brief note describing how attendance will be leveraged. Applications from non-members should be sent by the sponsoring member. The award committee will notify recipients within three weeks.
Registration
Note: All fees, dates, and deadlines listed below are preliminary and subject to change. Final details will be confirmed when registration opens.
Registration for the 2026 Annual Meeting closes on October 12, 2026.
| Period | Dates | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | Through July 15 | $575 |
| Regular | July 16 – September 15 | $600 |
| Late | September 16 – close of registration | $625 |
Discounts available for professionals aged 40 or under (−$100) and for those not attending coffee breaks or lunches on session days (−$70).
Secure payment is processed online via Stripe (or, optionally you can send a check). A confirmation email will be sent upon completion.