Minnesota's Republican Party will host the 2011 Midwest Leadership Conference in October, with a forum of presidential hopefuls on the agenda.

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Congresswoman Michele Bachmann — if they're in the race — will be in familiar territory for the Oct. 7-8 conference at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel. Even if they're not still presidential contenders, they'll surely be there to speak.

Every two years a Midwestern state hosts the GOP's Leadership Conference.

Tony Sutton, chair of the Minnesota Republican Party, today announced the event:

"I am thrilled to announce that the Republican Party of Minnesota will be hosting the 2011 Midwest Leadership Conference. With a full slate of events, including a presidential candidate forum, activist trainings, and a series of speeches from conservative leaders, the 2011 Midwest Leadership Conference promises to be an exciting and memorable experience for Republican activists from across the country."

Minnesota last hosted the conference in 2001. Other states in the GOP's Midwest region are: Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa and Illinois.