Desert Town Hall, presented by The H. N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, has announced its speakers for 2016. All events are held at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells.
“We’ve been fortunate to get the top speaker -‐-‐ the #1 most requested by our subscribers -‐-‐ for three years running,” said Board President Andy Clark. “This year it’s Bill O’Reilly. He last spoke here in 2003, and is sure to have much to say in this upcoming election year.”
The 2016 lineup includes:
- FOX News Anchor Bill O’Reilly, Friday, January 29
- Survivor of the Andes, Nando Parrado, Monday, February 22
- President of Mexico (2006-‐2012) Felipe Calderon, March 10
- Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency David Petraeus, Thursday, March 24
Tickets are available by calling (760) 610-‐2852. Ticket prices begin at $275 for an unreserved seat, per event.
As part of its philanthropic mission, Desert Forum, Inc., invites 150 local high school students from 22 area high schools to attend each lecture through the Youth Town Hall program. Students participate in a hosted evening where the featured speaker visits with the youth in a separate gathering from the main speech.
This nationally recognized series has included world leaders and other notables such as 2015’s Mitt Romney, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Platon, Charles Krauthammer; and in 2014, Leon Panetta, Lisa Ling & Laura Ling, Karl Rove, Dr. Ben Carson. A complete list of the renowned speakers who have appeared on the Desert Town Hall stage can be found at www.DesertTownHall.org.
Desert Forum, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational corporation, produces Desert Town Hall. A portion of the cost of the tickets is tax-‐deductible. The lecture series is sponsored by a number of local companies, organizations and philanthropic individuals.
Serving as officers for 2015-‐16, the 24th season of the celebrated series, are: President Andy Clark (111 Wealth Management); Vice President Judy Vossler (Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau); Treasurer Keith Goff (Rabobank); and Secretary Phillip K. Smith, Jr. (Sunrise Company).
Members of the Board of Directors are: Jerry Fogelson (Fogelson Properties), Brian Harnik (Roemer & Harnik), Lois Horvitz (Founding President), Bill Powers (retired community leader), Tim Sullivan (retired community leader), Tom Tabler (Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa), and Mark Winkler (The Desert Sun).
Staff for the series includes Becky Kurtz, executive director; Maria Cross, administrative director; Cynthia Buckner and Gina Irwin, program assistants. Nearly 30 dedicated volunteers, many of whom have been with the series since its inception in 1993, help to make the series a success every year.
Sponsors of the series include the presenting sponsor, The H. N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, along with The City of Indian Wells, The Desert Sun, Lois U. Horvitz, Helene Galen and Madeline Redstone, Rabobank, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Roemer & Harnik LLP, Sunrise Company/Toscana Country Club, and Valentine-‐ Dougherty-‐Clark/111 Wealth Management Group.
For more information about Desert Town Hall call (760) 610-2852 or visit www.DesertTownHall.org. Follow Desert Town Hall on Facebook and Twitter.
