Desert Town Hall Welcomes Condoleezza Rice

From Desert Town Hall: Desert Town Hall, presented by The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, welcomes Condoleezza Rice back to the stage this Friday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. As a featured Desert Town Hall speaker in 2010, she returns by popular demand to speak to a sold-out crowd.

Widely considered to be one of the most influential and powerful people in the world, Dr. Rice is renowned for unparalleled expertise on global affairs, national security and education. While serving as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor under President George W. Bush, she pioneered a policy of transformational diplomacy based on democratic principles. She has proven to be a significant leader during a time of unprecedented and tumultuous world affairs. She will present 30 minutes of remarks to the nearly 1,900 ticket holders, followed by 30 minutes of questions moderated on stage by Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, the 28th Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court.

Following Dr. Rice’s speech, on March 9, two of cable TV’s brightest minds and original voices in America media, FOX News' Tucker Carlson and CNN's Paul Begala, will present "Inside the World of Politics”; and concluding the season on March 27 is financial journalist and New York Times best-selling author, Michael Lewis.

The nationally recognized Desert Town Hall speaker series has included world leaders and other notables including Bill O'Reilly, David Petraeus, Felipe Calderon, and Nando Parrado in 2016; 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.

While ticket prices begin at $400 for all four speakers, the series is currently sold out. Those interested in being added to a wait list should call (760) 610-2852.

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 2016-17, the 25th season of the celebrated series, are: President Andy Clark (111 Wealth Management), Vice President Judy Vossler (Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau), Vice President Brian Harnik (Roemer & Harnik), Treasurer Keith Goff (Rabobank), and Secretary Phillip K. Smith, Jr. (Sunrise Company).

Members of the Board of Directors are: Jerry Fogelson (Fogelson Properties), Bill Powers (retired, Pacific Western Bank), Tim Sullivan (retired, Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa), Tom Tabler (Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa), and Mark Winkler (The Desert Sun).

Staff for the series includes Becky Kurtz, executive director; Marissa Willman, marketing coordinator; Maria Cross, administrative director; and Gina Irwin, executive 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, Helene Galen, Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa, Roemer & Harnik LLP, Sunrise Company/Toscana Country Club, West Coast Turf/Foster-Gardner, Inc., andValentine-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.

Image courtesy of Desert Town Hall