WASHINGTON—The 99^th annual meeting of the nation's governors promises to highlight innovation and education as the National Governors Association (NGA) convenes in Traverse City, Michigan. Hosted by Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm, the four-day meeting, held July 20-23, will concentrate on NGA Chair Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano's yearlong initiative Innovation America, which focuses on the importance of providing a quality math and science education, helping colleges and universities better prepare the workers of tomorrow and promoting investment in businesses and technologies of the future.

After an evening of welcome events, the official business sessions begin Saturday with an opening news conference in Traverse City, followed by a "Governors and Innovation America Task Force Only" lunch that will provide governors an opportunity to discuss the link between postsecondary education and innovation.

At the opening plenary session, Randall L. Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO, and Dr. Eric Schmidt, Google chairman of the board and CEO, will deliver remarks that focus on innovation and technology, including the link to postsecondary education. Sunday, governors will begin the day with a special session that continues their discussion of postsecondary education. The meeting will include remarks by Dr. Patrick M. Callan, president of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, and Dr. Aims McGuinness, senior associate at the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems.

Later that morning and into the afternoon, governors will participate in meetings of NGA's four standing committees. The Economic Development and Commerce Committee will examine how states can respond to changing international market conditions and explore what policy tools states can use to create conditions for individuals to achieve economic success. In a simultaneous session, the Health and Human Services Committee will focus on health information technology, discussing the latest state and national trends and the work of the State Alliance for e-Health. During the afternoon round of committee sessions, the Education, Early Childhood and Workforce Committee will discuss how to keep children safe online, particularly on social networking websites. At the same time, the Natural Resources Committee will engage with national and international leaders to discuss policy options to address global climate change.

The Honorable Sandra Day O'Connor, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and the Honorable Tom Phillips, former chief justice, Texas Supreme Court will address governors at the closing plenary session on Monday. This session will examine the effect of judicial independence on states. Gov. Napolitano will conclude the meeting by welcoming incoming NGA Chair Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the incoming Vice Chair, who will be announced at the meeting. Gov. Pawlenty will unveil his chair's initiative and discuss NGA's upcoming centennial celebration.

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Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation's governors and one of Washington, D.C.'s most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. For more information, visit www.nga.org.