Desert Town Hall, the Coachella Valley’s premier lecture series presented by The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, recently announced an exciting and thought‑provoking lineup for their 2026 season. Now in its 34th year, the series continues its tradition of bringing world‑class speakers to the stage at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, engaging nearly 2,000 attendees with compelling conversations that explore the ideas shaping our world.
Each season is carefully curated to spark dialogue, broaden perspectives, and offer guests the chance to hear directly from influential leaders across global affairs, journalism, culture, and politics. According to Board President Tim Pyne, this year’s lineup was chosen to help audiences reflect on the moment we’re living in—one marked by rapid change, global complexity, and the upcoming milestone of America’s 250th anniversary.
Here’s a look at the 2026 speakers:
K.T. McFarland – January 18, 2026. A respected national security expert, K.T. McFarland will offer insider insights on foreign policy, cyber threats, and America’s strategic place in an evolving global landscape.
Bret Baier – February 12, 2026. One of the most trusted names in broadcast journalism, Bret Baier brings historical perspective and clarity to today’s political climate—particularly meaningful as the country approaches its semiquincentennial.
Platon – March 3, 2026. Renowned worldwide for his iconic portraits, photographer Platon will explore the power of visual storytelling and the human depth behind the leaders, activists, and changemakers he has captured through his lens.
Ben Shapiro and Van Jones – March 26, 2026. Two sharply contrasting political voices, Ben Shapiro and Van Jones, will share the stage for an engaging and uncommon conversation that demonstrates the value of open dialogue and respectful debate.
Beyond the mainstage programming, Desert Town Hall continues to inspire future generations through its Youth Town Hall program, providing 150 local high school students with the opportunity to attend a private presentation with each speaker. For many, it’s a transformative experience—one that introduces them to global ideas, leadership, and civic engagement.
Behind the scenes, the series is brought to life by Executive Producer Becky Kurtz, Chief Operating Officer Maria Cross, Youth Program Director Alexa Worman, Program Assistant Irene Hernandez, and nearly 40 dedicated volunteers—many of whom have supported the program since its inception in 1993.
Desert Town Hall is made possible through the generosity of its sponsors, including presenting sponsor The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, The City of Indian Wells, Renaissance Esmeralda, Roemer & Harnik LLP, Sunrise Company/Toscana/Andalusia Country Club, West Coast Turf/Foster‑Gardner, Inc., Valentine‑Dougherty‑Clark‑Wilson‑Aguirre/111 Wealth Management Group, and media partners 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 still available, starting at $450 for all four speakers. To learn more, visit www.deserttownhall.org or call (760) 610‑2852.
At Hunter Johnsen, we are proud to support this remarkable series through marketing, design, and creative strategy—helping bring each season’s vision to life and elevating the experience for audiences throughout Southern California. We look forward to another inspiring year with Desert Town Hall.
If you’d like to find out more about what we can do for you, we’d love to hear from you. Connect with us here.
