John Robert Smith, CEO of Reconnecting America, will discuss “Passenger Trains and What They Can Do for Iowa,” on May 24 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Embassy Suites on the River in downtown Des Moines.

Smith is the former four-term mayor of Meridian, Miss. His presentation will focus on the story of how passenger train service and depot redevelopment revitalized Meridian and describe how this same approach can be adapted to work in Iowa.

Reservations are required for the free presentation, sponsored by the Transportation Management Association and the Downtown Community Alliance.

To RSVP, email Barb Andersen at the Downtown Community Alliance, bandersen@downtowndesmoines.com, or call 286-4969 by 5 p.m. on May 21.