Mohegan Inspire Celebrates Grand Open

The Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort yesterday celebrated its official grand opening on March 5, 2024. Approximately 500 key figures from home and abroad attended, and the event marked a significant milestone in Mohegan Inspire’s position as Asia’s premier resort, casino, and entertainment destination.

Following the soft opening in late November last year, the grand opening of the Mohegan Inspire was held with senior Mohegan executives, including James Gessner Jr., chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Committee, a member of the Mohegan Senior Committee, Lin Malaba, president and CEO of Mohegan. In addition, key officials from the Korean government and local governments, including Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg, and Incheon International Airport Corporation President Lee Hak-jae, as well as Inspire partners and domestic and foreign media.

Hosted inside Rotunda, a versatile hub at the center of Inspire, and Inspire Ballroom, Korea’s most expansive hotel ballroom, the event captivated guests with a variety of programs and performances under the theme of “Inspire: The Join of the Two Cultures.” The event combined the rich heritage of Mohegan culture with the dynamic, global charm of K-culture, leaving a lasting impression on all guests.

“The grand opening of Inspire marks a momentous occasion for Mohegan, who has created a historic partnership for our tribe and is taking our global resort network to unprecedented levels,” said James Gessner Jr., chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Committee. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Korean government for giving us the opportunity to revive our vision in a vibrant country, and to the many people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes.”

The first part of the ribbon cutting included a traditional mohegan smudge ceremony, led by President Gessner and Senior Commissioner Charlie Strickland, as a way to provide positive and good energy. The event led to a special performance by Unity of Nations, a mohegan drum group, which performed “Honor Song,” which celebrates the meeting of the two cultures and the unity of the community. The evening proceeded with a showcase for an up-and-coming Korean traditional music group to honor Inspire’s ambitious journey to raise the entertainment environment in Asia. Subsequently, the main leaders of Mohegan and Inspire announced a new beginning by sharing insightful speeches before the grand opening began its ceremonial ribbon cutting.

“Our journey has been guided by the Aquai spirit, which is the guiding principle of the Mohegan tribe, which emphasizes hospitality, mutual respect, cooperation, and building relationships,” said Ray Pino, the president and CEO of Mohegan. “This spirit is woven into the structure of Inspire, which reflects our commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and creates a space that respects the environment and promotes connections among people from all walks of life.” The Mohegan Inspire is poised to enhance the attractiveness of the region to visitors around the world as a landmark destination and a catalyst for tourism, economic growth, and cultural exchange.”

Following the traditional ribbon cutting, the parties celebrated the symphonies of both cultures. Beginning with the Mohegan prayer service by Moehegan Tribe President Lynn Malerba, the event turned smoothly with a toast from President Gessner. The captivating time lapse video then chronicled the evolution of the Inspire project, shedding light on the fascinating performances, the Mohegan drum ensemble, the mesmerizing performances by the Korean a cappella group, and the rich tapestry of cultural harmonies that were showcased throughout the evening.

“It is thrilling to see this wonderful journey, made possible by the dedication of all Inspire employees and the constant support of the Mohegan tribe,” said Inspire’s president, Chen Xie. “We are also grateful to all government agencies, communities, and partners who have shown unwavering commitment throughout the development of the project. Inspire will provide inspiring spaces and cultural experiences by establishing a new generation of entertainment resorts backed by innovation and creativity, and we will contribute together to the development of Yeongjongdo Island, Incheon, into a world-class tourist destination.”

Inspire continues to celebrate the occasion with a month-long celebration. Beginning on Mar. 2 with Inspire Salute featuring global K-pop icons Psy and Taeyang, the festival will welcome Maroon 5, an international sensation at Inspire Arena, for electric performances on Mar. 8 and 9. The excitement continues on Mar. 16 with a special encore concert to celebrate 20 years of influential music by Epik High, Korea’s top alternative hip-hop group. The spectacle will end with the debut of WTT Champions Incheon, which brings together the elites of the world’s table tennis competition, from Mar. 27-31.

Since its soft opening on Nov. 30, Inspire has opened its doors to five-star hotels with a total of 1,275 rooms; Inspire Arena, the first multi-purpose indoor venue to accommodate up to 15,000 people; Aurora, a 150-m-long digital entertainment street; Inspire Signature Restaurant, including Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse; and Open Indoor Water Dome, which is open year-round, a swimming pool in Splash Bay, and state-of-the-art Mice facilities. Inspire Casino, the nation’s largest dedicated casino for international visitors, opened on Feb. 3. Inspire Mall will be actively operated in March, with a mix of carefully curated branded shops, diners, and community spaces. By the first half of the year, auxiliary facilities such as Discovery Park, the nation’s largest immersive content exhibition center, and a huge food court are expected to open. 슬롯사이트