Robert Gehrke, The Salt Lake Tribune -- Salt Lake City will host the 2011 gathering of the National Governors Association, the association announced Wednesday.

It will be the fourth time the association has met in Utah since 1919.

Gov. Gary Herbert said the meeting is a "tremendous opportunity to showcase Utah."

"Salt Lake City will serve as an excellent place for us to gather and discuss issues of importance for all governors," Herbert said. "I am honored that my fellow governors have selected Utah as their host and am thrilled for the opportunity to showcase all that this wonderful state has to offer."

The meeting attracts about 1,000 participants, including governors, staff, journalists, lobbyists and policy experts. The organization meets twice a year, with the winter meeting held in Washington, D.C.

The NGA met last month for its summer meeting in Biloxi, Miss., and is scheduled to meet next July in Boston.

"NGA is excited to be gathering in Salt Lake City," said West Virginia Gov. Joe Machin, who will chair NGA in 2011. "I know Utah's capital city will serve as an excellent setting."