2025 CONVENTION NEWS
Milwaukee Road Historical Association
2025 Annual Convention
June 19 – 22, 2025
Best Western Plus – Moses Lake, Washington
The Milwaukee Road Historical Association invites its members, their families, guests, and former employees to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting and Convention in Moses Lake, Washington. Our activities will feature a tour on a portion of the former Milwaukee right-of-way and the newly opened Beverly Bridge, a visit to Renslow Trestle, the depot at Kittitas and areas in and around Othello. We also have some outstanding presenters, including Mike Faletti, Paul Krueger, Rob Leachman, Milt Clark, Mark Borleske, Jerry Quinn and Steve Hart, who will give us perspectives on the history and operations of the Milwaukee Road.
Thursday, June 19th – Registration will begin at 2:00PM at the Best Western Hotel. This will also be the site of all meals and programs. There will be an opportunity to visit the Company Store and spend time with the vendors and display tables. A buffet dinner will be served at 5:00PM and the evening programs will begin at 6:00PM with welcomes by our president, Jeff Goutcher and an introduction to the evening’s presenters and their programs. The programs will be followed by voluntary presentations and open projectors. The women will also have programs featuring a guest speaker and some fun activities.
Friday, June 20th - Breakfast will be served from 7:00AM to 8:30AM and at 9:00AM men and women will board the buses leaving for the tours and a box lunch will be served along the way. Upon return to Moses Lake, the Great Milwaukee Auction will be held in the hotel with some unique items available this year. Our usual buffet dinner will be served from 5:00 to 6:00PM. Following dinner, the MRHA Annual Business Meeting will be held. At its completion the evening programs for men and women will begin. The women’s program will feature a “Sip and Paint” event. For the men, presentations will begin with a program about a unique perspective of the Milwaukee in central Washington. This will be followed with additional presentations. We will again finish the evening with open presentations by attendees.
Saturday, June 21st – Breakfast will again be served from 7:00 to 8:30AM. The main buses will depart again at 9:00AM for the day’s locations. An alternative program will be available including local sites and events using car-pooling. When everyone returns from the tours, the cash bar will be open. The Banquet Dinner will begin at 5:30 with some announcements and final information and will end at 7:00PM to allow some time for socialization. At that time our Keynote Speaker, Michael Sol will give his presentation to complete the evening’s activities.
Sunday, June 22nd – Breakfast will be served from 7:00AM to 9:00AM and then it will be farewell until next year when we will meet again somewhere in the Midwest. Look for details in the TMR’s throughout this year as we organize for 2026.
CONVENTION POLICIES & MISCELLANY
MRHA CONVENTION POLICY - Only current members of MRHA, their families and guests, former Milwaukee Road employees and those making presentations for the convention are permitted to attend.
CHANGES IN CONVENTION ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS - While MRHA is proud to present a diversified and interesting convention for its members as previously noted, forces beyond its control may cause cancellation or changes in activities or programs. Such changes may be made without notice and do not constitute a breach of contract.
REFUND POLICY – MRHA will refund any cancelled convention fees (minus a 10% fee to cover fixed costs) if notified in writing or by email by June 1, 2025. No refunds will be issued after this date except in case of proven emergency (serious illness, death in the family, etc.).
CONVENTION MEALS – If you or your spouse/guest have any special dietary needs that require a special menu throughout the convention, please indicate that on the registration form. Requests made at the convention site may not be able to be accommodated.
CONVENTION FEE SPECIAL REQUESTS – We are no longer able to accommodate special requests for partial participation in convention events. Only two fees (full fare and meals/programs only) listed on the enclosed registration form will be accepted.
SALES TABLES – Any MRHA member or vendor is permitted one complimentary display or sales table. Anyone desiring additional tables will be required to pay a fee of $15.00 for each additional table. Reservations must be made using this or the online form before June 1, 2025.
PLEASE NOTE: CONVENTION FEES DO NOT INCLUE THE COST OF YOUR HOTEL ROOM. PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS WITH THE HOTEL. OUR ROOM BLOCK WILL BE HELD UNTIL APRIL 30TH, BUT PLEASE REGISTER BEFORE THEN AS THERE WILL BE AN AIR SHOW IN MOSES LAKE THAT WEEKEND AND ROOMS WILL BE HARD TO FIND. MENTION YOU ARE WITH THE MILWAUKEE ROAD CONVENTION TO GET OUR SPECIAL RATE. BE SURE YOU ARE ABLE TO ATTEND AS THERE IS A ONE-NIGHT PENALTY FEE FOR CANCELLATIONS.
NOTE: HOTEL COSTS ARE MUCH HIGHER IN THE WEST, BUT THIS IS PARTLY OFFSET BY A LOWER CONVENTION FEE WE HAVE NEGOTIATED.
HOTEL CONVENTION SITE - BEST WESTERN PLUS – 3000 West Marina Drive Moses Lake, WA Phone 509-765-9211
Click this link for a printable Convention Registration Form
CONVENTION FEES and FOOD
FULL FARE – All activities and Meals
Early - $275.00
After June 1- $300.00
At the Door $325.00
MEALS AND PROGRAMS ONLY
Early - $250.00
After June 1 - $275.00
At the Door $300.00
You may register online starting March 10 at www.mrha.com
or mail this completed Convention Registration Form to:
MRHA 2024 CONVENTION
P. O. Box 307
Antioch, IL 60002-0307
If you have any questions, please contact: office@mrha.com