Pawlenty, a potential VP choice, is the current chairman of the NGA.

(CNN) — As increasingly fevered vice presidential speculation swirls around the nation’s governors, many of the names topping most experts’ hypothetical shortlists are gathering in Philadelphia Saturday.

Potential Republican VPs attending the weekend’s National Governor’s Association meeting include Republicans Sarah Palin of Alaska and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana; Democrats Tim Kaine of Virginia, Brian Schweitzer of Montana and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas are also on hand.

The man currently leading the NGA, Republican Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and his incoming successor, Democrat Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, are also in the spotlight as potential running mates. Both men have downplayed their interest in the job – though they haven’t ruled it out.

Rendell has said he would consider a cabinet post, but is planning to remain in office until his term ends. Pawlenty told reporters this week he has not yet been asked for documents by the John McCain’s vice presidential vetting team, though he made a television appearance from the presumptive Republican nominee’s national campaign headquarters earlier this week during a trip to Washington for a policy conference. Aides have yet to confirm whether or not he met personally with the Arizona senator during that visit.

Potential running mates skipping the NGA gathering include Florida’s Charlie Crist and New Mexico’s Bill Richardson. Later Saturday afternoon, another former governor turned national officeholder will address the group: former president Bill Clinton.