THE People’s National Party (PNP) said it is expecting a massive turnout of supporters at Sunday’s public session of its three-day annual conference, which starts today with a private session.

“We are conscious of the challenging economic times, but the feedback from the ground is that we expect an excellent turnout, particularly on Sunday, and one that would be consistent with what we have seen in the post-election annual conferences that we had in 2012,” the PNP’s Deputy General Secretary Julian Robinson told journalists at a press conference to outline the agenda for the event held at the party’s Old Hope Road headquarters in Kingston yesterday.

Robinson would, however, not disclose the cost of staging this year’s event, noting only that it is more than was spent for last year’s conference.

“There are obvious expenses associated with renting the [National] Arena for a day, which is about $1.2 million, and we obviously have other facilities such as stage and outdoor screens… it is a little bit above what we did last year, but we have managed to finance the activities within our own resources,” Robinson said.

The party, which is celebrating its 75th year, embarked on a series of commemorative activities since March, aimed at what Party Chairman Robert Pickersgill described as a period for introspection, reflection and celebration.

Robinson, in outlining the agenda for the three days, said: “A new feature this year is that all the Cabinet ministers will be available for questions from the floor on areas relating to their portfolios.”

Robinson said one of the reasons behind the decision to have two days of private sessions is to facilitate delegates who have, in the past, complained about not having enough of an opportunity to ask questions and make comments from the floor.

At today’s private session at Jamaica College on Old Hope Road in Kingston, the resolutions and reports from different arms and affiliates of the party will be discussed, while the other private session tomorrow will focus on the election of the party president and four vice-presidents.

Sunday’s public session at the National Arena in Kingston will be addressed by PNP President and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, and former Prime Minister and party president PJ Patterson.