The women's conference began 20 years ago under former Gov. George Deukmejian to help female small-business owners. Shriver has turned it into a star-studded affair and her signature event as first lady.

Past guests have included exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, U2 frontman Bono, financial guru Suze Orman and Martha Stewart.

The event also has drawn controversy. In 2004, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was criticized after he mocked nurses who unveiled a protest banner during his speech, prompting him to remark that special interests didn't like him "because I'm always kicking their butts." He later acknowledged that he should not have made the comment.

Schwarzenegger, who as governor has struggled to win approval for many of his reforms, also is scheduled to speak at this year's conference, titled "Architects of Change." Shriver said her husband, like many politicians, business owners and nonprofit groups, is facing tough challenges trying to deal with a national recession.

"There isn't a policy leader in this country at any level that isn't having a challenging time," Shriver said. "To single out Arnold as having a challenging time is not factually correct."

Tickets for the main forum range from $125 to $200 and go on sale July 13.

Associated Press Writer Juliet Williams contributed to this story.