Hilton's two high-end hotels at the $1 billion Kawarau Falls Station development are due to open in May in time for Queenstown's inaugural hosting of the Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand (Trenz) conference.
"We would love to be open for Trenz and we're certainly working towards opening at that time," said Marlene Poynder, general manager of both Hilton Queenstown and "Kawarau Hotel, managed by Hilton".
Under an umbrella that includes Wanaka Tourism and Destination Fiordland, Trenz will be staged at the Queenstown Events Centre from May 22 to 25 and it is believed that it will be worth millions to the region in exposure.
The 2011 event is expected to attract more than 1200 delegates, including buyers, sellers and international media.
Previously it has been held in Auckland, Christchurch and Rotorua.
Meanwhile Ms Poynder said contracts were being negotiated for a few senior positions at the two Hiltons.
A mixture of local staff and those from Hilton's global network would fill more that 180 full-time equivalent jobs at the four- and five-star hotels.
