Contact in the Desert is the “best in class” in the UFO Conferences category. It is one of the largest conferences, is held at a luxurious resort and typically brings in the best speakers. This year it takes another step forward and includes some speakers who would normally be associated with the UAP Symposiums category, making it the first UFO Conference to be also categorized in the UAP Symposiums group. The 2026 speakers that earned Contact in the Desert this honor include, Dr. Eric W. Davis, Dr. Jacques Vallée, Dr. Avi Loeb and Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (ret) Tim Gallaudet.