Two national conventions scheduled for 2012 in Spokane are expected to attract national and international visitors—from historic preservationists to fly fishing enthusiasts.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation will hold its conference here in the fall of next year, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, at the Spokane Convention Center and the Davenport Hotel. This will be the first time Spokane has hosted the National Preservation Conference, which is expected to bring up to 2,500 attendees from across the U.S, including experts in historic preservation.

The trust will host several free sessions open to anyone interested in preserving America's historic places, and the conference is expected to include Spokane tours, educational workshops, and discussions. In a press release about the 2012 meeting, the trust referred to Spokane's many historic districts, neighborhoods, and buildings, including the Davenport Hotel and Fox Theater.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Fly Fishers plans to hold its 2012 Fly Fishing Fair July 11-14 at the Spokane Convention Center. The Spokane Regional Sports Commission, which is teaming up with the national group to promote the event, says the fair is expected to draw 2,000 attendees from the U.S. and abroad.

Many of those expected at the Fly Fishing Fair are members of the Federation of Fly Fishers, but its conference also will be open to the public, the sports commission says.

In the exhibit hall, fishing tackle companies, retailers, travel services, and other fly fishing-related companies will offer exhibits and product sales.

The fair also will offer workshops, programs, and demonstrations in fly tying, fly casting, fly fishing tactics, aquatic entomology, fly rod building, angling ethics, and water safety. It will have youth and women's clinics, conservation and education forums, photo contests, and author book signings.

All proceeds from the event provide the annual funding base for the federation's operations and help support educational and fly-fishing related conservation efforts internationally.

The Livingston, Mont.-based Federation of Fly Fishers is a nonprofit organization advocating for fly fishing in North America since 1965. The group has more than 12,000 members.

The Washington, D.C.-based National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to save America's historic places and revitalize communities. It is a privately-funded, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places.

It provides grants, loans, and financial assistance toward that work. Its website lists 270,000 members.