Village Connect
SM Hotels and Convention Corp. (SMHCC), the hospitality arm of SM Prime Holdings, is set to redefine the events landscape in the Philippines with a bold ₱5.3 billion investment aimed at expanding its MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) footprint over the next five years.
The first wave of this expansion begins in two dynamic urban centers—Cebu and Pasay. Leading the charge is the SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, slated to open in the third quarter of 2026. This new facility will offer more than 21,000 square meters of leasable space across six levels, making it one of the largest and most advanced venues in the Visayas region. Integrated with the SM Seaside Arena and SM Seaside Cebu Mall, the convention center is designed for flexibility and scalability, ideal for hosting international conventions, trade shows, and cultural events.
Cebu, recognized as one of the Philippines’ top provincial economies, presents an ideal location for this development. SMX Seaside Cebu’s strategic placement and cutting-edge infrastructure aim to transform the city into a regional hub for large-scale gatherings and economic exchange.
Meanwhile, in Pasay City, construction is underway for SMXCITE, a new addition to the Mall of Asia Complex. With a projected opening in early 2027, SMXCITE will contribute 18,000 square meters of new event space. This will complement the existing SMX Manila, effectively doubling the area available for concurrent and larger events.
Peggy Angeles, SMHCC Executive Vice President, emphasized the company’s commitment to inclusive growth: “Our investments in Cebu and Pasay are rooted in our belief in their potential as thriving business and tourism centers. These venues are designed to foster economic activity by attracting both local and international events.”
Each SMX development is strategically co-located with hotels, malls, and transport hubs to ensure seamless accessibility for both guests and organizers. This integration reflects SMHCC’s broader goal of decentralizing event hosting beyond Metro Manila and catalyzing regional growth.
As SMHCC continues to build world-class venues in key cities, it reinforces its vision of making the Philippines a competitive player in the global MICE industry—while empowering more communities through tourism and enterprise.
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