The Spokane Convention Center will host a four-day square dance convention next year that's estimated to have an economic impact of up to $17 million and to generate about 7,000 hotel-room stays through the course of the event.

The 61st National Square Dance Convention is scheduled to take place at the Spokane Convention Center from June 27-30, 2012, and is expected to bring in around 7,000 out-of-town visitors, says Dana Haynes, communications director for the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The convention is set to start on the Sunday of Hoopfest weekend, Spokane's annual three-on-three basketball tournament, which is billed as world's largest three-on-three basketball tournament and drew roughly 175,000 people last year. The CVB says it's already working with Hoopfest planners and local hotels to prevent any major housing complications due to the large number of visitors here that weekend.

Haynes says that because the square dancing events all are being held at the Convention Center, they shouldn't interfere too much with Hoopfest, which takes place throughout downtown's streets.

"Everyone is working together to make it perfect for both events," she says.

Amy Cabe, the CVB's convention services manager, says the National Square Dance Convention is expected to be one of the largest conventions ever held in Spokane. She says a past similar-sized convention was the 2004 BMW motorcycle rally at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, which drew more than 6,000 visitors.

She adds that this is the first time the square dancing group has held its convention in Spokane, and that the planning phase to bring it here started about six years ago.

"It's without a doubt a great-sized group for Spokane," she says.

Haynes adds that because the convention events will be taking place at various times of the day, she expects the community to notice the convention's participants exploring the city.

"They'll be wearing their garb and going to restaurants and shops," she says. "There will be some fun opportunities for the community to see them."

Haynes says that Spokane was awarded the bid for the 2012 convention during the 2008 National Square Dance Convention, beating out Kansas City, Mo.

This weekend, March 25-27, about 250 square dancers will be in Spokane for pre-convention events and meetings, to make sure plans are proceeding for the 2012 convention and to take tours of the city. She says the group also will start reserving hotel rooms and will meet with other convention planners who are organizing the event.

About 600 people are expected to attend or participate in a dancing exhibition that the group is hosting on Saturday, March 26, at the Convention Center.

The theme for the 2012 event is "Circulate in Washington State," the national convention's website says. This year's national convention will be held in Detroit. In the two years following the Spokane convention, the event is scheduled for Oklahoma City and Little Rock, Ark.