When Desert Town Hall Executive Director Becky Kurtz and Hunter|Johnsen connected to discuss the redesign of the Desert Town Hall website and provide design assistance for the marketing materials for the 2022 season, the team was excited. To be a part of such a premier event series was an honor and a thrill. Working closely with Becky and her team, Hunter|Johnsen quickly created a comprehensive website with a fresh, new look – in time for the launch of the 2022 season ticket sales. The development of marketing materials soon followed, from direct mail and print advertising, to e-blasts, and a targeted digital campaign. Also in development, in preparation for the January to March series, are a variety of printed pieces, from collectible tickets and programs, to event day materials.
As Keith Goff, President of the Board of Directors for Desert Forum, Inc., the nonprofit organization that produces the acclaimed speaker series notes “We’re excited to announce the line-up of speakers for our 30th season of Desert Town Hall. In 2022 we bring the world to town with renowned speakers. We’ll thrill to documentary images of some of nature’s most awe-inspiring creatures, hear about current political realities, learn lessons on the U.S. Presidency, and get a decades-long view of acting and filmmaking through stories told by Hollywood brothers.”
This season, the line-up includes:
Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier on January 23. Photographers, filmmakers, and explorers who document the beauty of our planet. This talented and dedicated couple captures imaginations with their brand of adventure, documentary photography, and storytelling.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Mike Huckabee on February 1. Sarah Huckabee Sanders served as White House Press Secretary for President Donald J. Trump from 2017 to 2019. Mike Huckabee is the host of the TV show “Huckabee” on TBN each weekend, and is a Fox News contributor, NY Times best-selling author of 14 books. He also hosts the podcast “Huckabee” on Quake Media. He was the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 until 2007.
Jon Meacham on February 24. Writer, reviewer, and presidential biographer. A former Executive Editor and Executive Vice President at Random House, he is a contributing writer to The New York Times Book Review, a contributing editor to Time magazine, and a former Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek.
Ron Howard and Clint Howard on March 14. The Academy Award-winning filmmaker and his actor brother will offer their insight to a childhood spent on TV, growing up amid sound stages, and Hollywood legends. Both of their parents were actors. The family lived near Desilu Studios where “The Andy Griffith Show” was filmed.
Desert Town Hall is produced by Desert Forum, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational corporation. 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 and board members for 2021-2022, the 30th season, are: President Keith Goff (Mechanics Bank), Immediate Past President Andy Clark (111 Wealth Management), Vice President Judy Vossler (Landmark Golf), Vice President Brian Harnik (Roemer & Harnik), and Secretary/Treasurer Phillip K. Smith, Jr. (Sunrise Company), Jerry Fogelson (Fogelson Properties), and Scott Bailey (Desert Sands Unified School District).
Staff for the series includes Becky Kurtz, executive director; Maria Cross, director of operations; Lauren Nugen, program assistant; Alexa Worman, program assistant. Nearly 40 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, Renaissance Esmeralda, Mechanics Bank, Roemer & Harnik LLP, Sunrise Company/Toscana Country Club, West Coast Turf/Foster-Gardner, Inc., and Valentine-Dougherty- Clark/111 Wealth Management Group.
A limited number of season tickets are available, beginning at $400 for all four speakers. Visit deserttownhall.org or call (760) 610-2852.