The Intermodal Association of America (IANA) Intermodal EXPO brings together a variety of industry heavy hitters, and The Intermodal Logistics Podcast was fortunate to be invited to the 2025 event to talk in person with a number of excellent guests. To make it easy for you to experience all those we talked to along with us, we've compiled all six episodes recorded live at the gathering in Long Beach, California, here in one place.
Why in-person matters and ocean box intermodal
Jeff discusses the gathering of intermodal pros through the years, from how and why it started to what it's become - and why its current location makes so much sense to cultivate important in-person interactions. Plus, he goes over why using ocean containers to move freight via domestic intermodal makes sense for many shippers - as well as carriers.
Rising to the Academic Challenge
We welcome the winners of 2025's Academic Challenge, also known as the Case Competition, which takes place at EXPO. The winning team from Mississippi State University beat 11 other competitors in its first year taking part. Guests include team members Sophie Perrigin, Emma Lovely-Gonzalez, Brad Sills and Elijah Davis along with their advisor, Dr. Chris Boone - MSU Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management.
Tracking truckload
Tim Denoyer, VP & Senior Analyst with ACT Research joins us fresh off his appearance at EXPO's opening panel, discussing how the truckload market and intermodal interact, and taking the temperature of where freight stands as 2025 hits the home stretch.
Rail - plus - with CSX
Intermodal is not just a long-haul option. CSX Director Sales, Rail Assets Lauren Eskew joins us to outline the class 1 railroad's Rail Plus program, highlight the surprising speed of some lanes in particular and go over CSX's shorter distance offerings east of the Mississippi that are truck competitive on transit.
From Class 1 to short-line railroad
Iowa Interstate Railroad Director of Intermodal Andy Bradfield explains the differences between smaller and larger railroads - highlighting how there are hundreds of so-called short-line railroads compared to just a few class 1s. He also discusses how his landlocked railroad connects to ocean cargo and the East Coast via intermodal and Chicago.
Drayage trucking's vital role
Kevin Lhotak, President of Reliable Transportation Specialists (RTSI) shares his company's lengthy dray history, how it does business, the areas of the country it covers and the key part drayage plays in the intermodal journey to connect shippers and end consumers to long-haul rail.
Find these and all the rest of our episodes on our YouTube playlist through The Intermodal Logistics Channel. You can also watch/listen right here using the players above, or find The Intermodal Logistics Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or whatever your favorite podcasting platform may be.
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