Gov. Gary Locke will speak at the Spokane Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s annual meeting Sept. 22.

“This the first time a sitting governor has addressed our membership and I believe it underscores Governor Locke’s commitment to the visitor industry,” said Hartly Kruger, CVB president and general manager.

Locke will talk about the economic impact of tourism in the state and his vision for the industry’s future.

The CVB’s most recent figures show that visitor spending has topped $491 million annually in Spokane County, growing from $210 million in 1985. The industry employs 7,800 people with a payroll of $94.5 million.

The annual meeting begins at 11:15 a.m. at the Ridpath Hotel Empire Ballroom in downtown Spokane.

, DataTimes