Utah to host 2011 governors meeting

For the fourth time, Utah will host the governors of the country for their annual summer meeting.

The National Governors Association announced Wednesday that it will hold its 2011 conference in Salt Lake City, citing the first-class hotels, meeting facilities and overall appeal of the city.

"NGA is excited to be gathering in Salt Lake City," said West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, NGA vice chairman, who will be the group's chairman during the conference July 15-17, 2011. "I know Utah's capital city will serve as an excellent setting."

The summer meetings, which draw about 1,000 attendees, allow governors of different parties to sit down together and strengthen the federal-state partnership, Manchin said.

Each winter, the NGA holds a meeting in Washington, D.C. Cities bid to host the summer conference. Salt Lake City hosted the NGA meeting three previous times, in 1919, 1930 and 1947.

— Michael Gonda