VIPs from around the country and international guests are expected to attend the opening gala for Star Mountain Plaza this evening.
The gala event will celebrate the official opening of stage one of Star Mountain Plaza – the site of the country’s newest five-star hotel and convention center.
The event will mark the completion of five years of planning, design, and construction of the Hilton Port Moresby Hotel and Kutubu Convention Centre ahead of the historic APEC Forum, which will take place four weeks from today.
Star Mountain Plaza venues will host world leaders and dignitaries from around the Asia Pacific region during the eight-day summit.
Guests including Prime Minister Peter O’Neill will be the first officials to dine at the Kutubu Convention Centre. The venue is staffed by 150 local chefs and wait staff who have been preparing for the event, for the past four weeks.
The menu for the gala will include a selection of locally sourced delicacies including Koki octopus carpaccio, blackened Mahi Mahi, roasted Ramu beef and Boroma free range pork accompanied by Mumu claypot vegetables and finished with a selection of desserts such as textures of Papua New Guinea banana.
The itinerary for the evening will begin at 6 pm, where guests will be welcomed and be taken through presentations from Hilton Hotel’s vice president, operations, Australasia Heidi Kunkel, Mineral Resource Development Company Managing Director Augustine Mano before Mr. O’Neill will speak and unveil a commemorative plaque.
Mr Mano says the nationwide benefits which be derived from the investment in Star Mountain Plaza cannot be underestimated.
“While hosting APEC is a milestone achievement in the history of our nation, the potential economic opportunities that will result from the development of this resort are significant and will last for generations.
“The standard of facilities at Star Mountain Plaza are world class and have been built by our nation, for our nation. Already we are seeing indications of increased international interest in conferences and events at these venues well beyond APEC,” he says.
