City officials have said that the National Rifle Association's convention is coming to Charlotte, N. C., bringing an estimated $20 million with it.

The Charlotte Observer reported on Wednesday that the NRA's annual convention, expected to draw 70,000 attendees to Charlotte and pump $20 million in the local economy, is being called the city's biggest-ever convention.

Moira Quinn of Charlotte Center City Partners said of the gathering where 400 firearms manufacturers, collectors and other vendors will set up in 300,000 square feet of the Charlotte Convention Center, "It's bigger than anything we've had."

The Observer has reported that convention speakers will include former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, broadcaster Glenn Beck and actor Chuck Norris.

The newspaper also said that Palin, who usually commands a large speaking fee, is doing the convention for free.

It was also noted by the reports that the last time the NRA came to Charlotte was in 2000 when President Charlton Heston held up a musket and proclaimed words that ended up becoming a signature slogan for the group: "From my cold, dead hands!" (With Inputs from Agencies)