The Coachella Valley’s premier lecture series, Desert Town Hall announced the 2024 season lineup of distinguished speakers. The series includes four renowned individuals who will appear before an audience of nearly 2,000. Their curated list of speakers bring their global perspectives to our local stage.
The 2024 season line-up includes:
Sunday, January 21: Admiral James Stavridis is a visionary leader, former head of NATO, and a decorated military strategist. He will speak on the Ukraine war and global geopolitics.
Thursday, February 8: David Pogue, CBS Sunday Morning’s Science correspondent, is the tech guru who transforms complex ideas into relatable, captivating stories. He will speak on technology, Artificial Intelligence, and science.
Monday, March 4: Former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren is a brilliant historian and diplomat sharing unique perspectives on Israel and the world. He will be speaking on forging the twenty-first century in Israel.
Monday, April 1: Conservative commentator and strategist Karl Rove is the political mastermind offering insights into the election of 2024. He will speak on the emerging shape of American politics.
Hunter Johnsen works closely with the Desert Town Hall team, creating the marketing and communications materials for the speaker series – from digital (website, banner ads, e-blasts) and speaker introductory videos, to PSAs, print ads, direct mail pieces, brochures, and other event day materials.
Desert Town Hall also offers a Youth Town Hall program bringing 150 Coachella Valley high school students to join a special presentation by each speaker before the main speech. Desert Forum, Inc. (which produces Desert Town Hall) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational corporation. A portion of ticket purchases may be tax-deductible.
Serving as officers and board members for 2023-2024, the 32nd season, are President Scott Bailey (independent consultant), Immediate Past President and Treasurer Keith Goff (retired banker), Vice President Brian Harnik (Roemer & Harnik LLP), Vice President Tim Pyne (Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa), Secretary Phillip K. Smith, Jr. (Sunrise Company); and board members Andy Clark (111 Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley), Judy Vossler (Landmark Golf), and Jerry Fogelson (Fogelson Properties of Chicago).
Staff for the series includes Executive Director Becky Kurtz, Director of Operations Maria Cross, Program Assistant Alexa Worman, and Program Assistant Savannah Ortega. Nearly 40 dedicated volunteers, many of whom have been with the series since its inception in 1993, help to make it 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, Renaissance Esmeralda, Roemer & Harnik LLP, Sunrise Company/Toscana Country Club, West Coast Turf/Foster-Gardner, Inc., and 111 Wealth Management Group.
Media sponsors include News Channel 3, K-NEWS 94.3 | 104.7 FM, Palm Springs Life, and The Desert Sun | LOCALiQ.
A limited number of season tickets are available beginning at $425 which includes all four speakers. As a special bonus, new ticket subscribers will receive the chance to win an exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity with one of the speakers. For additional information and tickets, visit www.deserttownhall.org.
