COEUR d'ALENE - The year was 1999, and newly-elected Idaho State Treasurer Ron Crane was planning the inaugural Smart Women, Smart Money conference in Boise.

He didn't know what the response would be, or how many people would attend. The concept was new and untried, but the idea was sound: Provide Idaho women with straight-shooting, hands-on financial advice, delivered by experts in their fields.

As it happened, 1,500 people showed up for the event. They learned about finances, investments and budgets, and listened as famous actress Debbie Reynolds delivered a keynote address.

"She was very, very good," recalled Crane, who stopped by The Press office on Friday.

The huge turnout was an eye-opener, he said. The next year, Smart Women, Smart Money - with Naomi Judd as the keynote - drew 1,700 attendees.

"I realized, wow, there's a real thirst out there for financial information," Crane said.

Over a decade later, the conference is still going strong. The 2011 edition will take place in Boise on Oct. 1, then travel to Coeur d'Alene on Saturday, Oct. 8.

It will run from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The one-day conference has visited the Lake City six times; 2009 was the last Coeur d'Alene event.

North Idaho College's Schuler Auditorium will host Smart Women, Smart Money this year, and Crane hopes to fill its many seats.

"We're really excited," Crane said. "If the business community is going to step up and do this, we are going to go for the gold, so to speak."

Smart Women, Smart Money is now looking for sponsors. Participating businesses will set up an informational booth and showcase their products, Crane said. Some local businessmen and women may also conduct learning sessions and workshops.

"If people can learn to manage their finances, they can control their life," Crane said. "I suppose (the conference) is the most exciting thing in 28 years of public life I've ever got a hold of."

The Coeur d'Alene event will begin with a case study before a panel of financial experts. Then participants will be divided into three tracks, Crane explained. The first is elemental - topics include balancing a checkbook, budgeting and getting out of debt.

Track 2 is more advanced and delves into the world of investing. Track 3, the most sophisticated, is focused on complicated financial matters, such as estate or retirement planning.

"(Participants) choose which track they're comfortable with," Crane said.

Unique keynote speakers are a conference tradition. Amy Roloff, star of the TV reality show "Little People, Big World," will take the podium at the 2011 event. The 4-foot, 2-inch mother of four lives on a farm near Portland, Ore.

"If anyone has overcome some obstacles and has a can-do attitude, she's it," Crane said.

Registration opens on Sept. 1 at the conference website, www.smartwomensmartmoney.com. Prospective sponsors should email Brenda Maynard Walters - [email protected] - to make arrangements.

"Never has it been more important than in this economic time for people to manage their limited resources," Crane said. "I just wish we could get members of Congress to come take the class."