In the clearest indication yet that County Executive Chris Collins is planning a campaign for governor, Rochester-area supporters are arranging a $1,000-per-ticket event at Pittsford’s Locust Hill Country Club that appears to kick off his statewide fundraising effort.

The event Tuesday is being spearheaded by well-known Rochester businessman Geoffrey Rosenberger, a Republican who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Louise M. Slaughter of Fairport in 1996. Over the past few weeks, he has solicited many of his Rochester contacts to join him in supporting Collins, whom he is touting as a top Republican prospect for governor.

“I look at his business background and his business discipline that he’s brought to Erie County, and I get excited about that,” Rosenberger said. “And he’s been able to attract Democratic votes as a Republican in a very Democratic district.”

Collins, who has held the county executive’s position for only 21 months, has been quietly touring the state recently in an effort to introduce himself to party leaders. Aides insist he is not running for governor but is only talking to other Republicans about the programs he has initiated in Erie County.

He also continues to emphasize that he supports former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as the 2010 GOP candidate for governor.

“There are many good people who are encouraging Chris to run,” said Christopher M. Grant, Collins’ chief of staff. “But the county executive’s position is, and continues to be, that he is encouraging Rudy Giuliani to

enter the race.

“At the time the mayor makes his decision,” he added, “he’ll go to the next step.”

Grant also said the event is raising money for the county executive’s “Collins for Our Future” account devoted to winning and retaining his current job. But he also acknowledged the proceeds for the event could be used for a future gubernatorial race, should Collins decide to run.

But in his solicitation to potential supporters, Rosenberger makes it clear that he believes Giuliani will not run and that Collins, therefore, should be given serious consideration. He believes the circumstances could prove ideal for a new figure like Collins on the statewide scene.

“I think it’s a year in which a nontraditional candidate has a shot,” Rosenberger said.

The county executive, meanwhile, has been traveling the state in recent weeks to meet party leaders. He has attended various county dinners and summer picnics, as close as Genesee County and as far as Manhattan.

Earlier this week, he attended the fall meeting of the Republican State Committee in Albany, where he was featured as one of the party’s “up and coming” figures and gave what one observer called an impressive speech.

“He worked the county [chairmen] before and after the speech,” said the GOP insider, who asked not to be identified. “Collins did a good job.”

Collins also has been working closely with Washington consultant Michael J. Hook, a Lancaster native who is also a supporter of new State Republican Chairman Edward F. Cox. Hook also ran the gubernatorial campaign of Republican John J. Faso in 2006.