The idea to host a silver convention came from an after hours conversation in the summer of 2003.

After all, there were successful gold conferences.

"Why not showcase the silver mining industry?" said David Bond. He and Shauna Hillman, both of Wallace, are the founders of the Silver Summit, which is in its 10th year.

The convention will be Oct. 25 and 26 at The Davenport Hotel in Spokane, and will feature the precious metals industry's most notable members as speakers, such as John Kaiser, Eric Sprott, Jeffrey Christian and Peter Megaw.

"We've got everybody who's anybody in the silver game," Bond said.

The event has come a long way in a decade.

Bond said that first year, he was reluctant to advertise because he didn't think it'd take off.

"I didn't want to be embarrassed," he said, laughing.

He pulled some guest speakers and hoped for the best. Bob Hopper of Bunker Hill was a huge help the first year by bringing some of his crystal collection and historical mining pieces. They rented a small room at The Coeur d'Alene Inn and were overwhelmed with the attendees - Bond had expected 35 people and six companies.

"The response was so amazing," he said, and they were crazy not to let it grow.

The next year, there were a few hundred attendees and several dozen companies. "It's just been going like that ever since," he said. "... it's got a life of its own."

He's expecting record-breaking attendance of about 1,000 people as well as about 80 companies.

"It's just going to be a good old fashioned Woodstock for silver people," he said.

Bond and Hillman entered into an agreement with Cambridge House International in Vancouver two years ago, who handle the logistics of the event such as registration.

To celebrate their working relationship with CHI, Bond and Hillman have had 1 ounce .999 silver coins minted with the CHI logo on one side and the Silver Summit's logo on the other. Only 500 are available for $50 each. More information about the Silver Summit can be found online at http://cambridgehouse.com/event/silver-summit-10th-anniversary.