SMX Expands as Events Industry Grows

The country’s business events sector is showing continued strength as SMX Convention Centers recorded double-digit visitor growth during the first half of 2026, signaling sustained demand for exhibitions, conferences and major gatherings across the Philippines.

SMX Convention Centers, the conferences and exhibitions arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., welcomed 4.3 million visitors from January to June 2026. This represents an 18 percent increase from 3.6 million visitors recorded during the same period last year.

The convention network hosted 807 booked events nationwide, ranging from trade exhibitions and industry conferences to consumer shows and lifestyle gatherings. SMX Convention Center Manila led the portfolio with more than 2.5 million visitors, while facilities in Davao, Bacolod and Clark also posted healthy traffic growth.

Major events staged during the period included WORLDBEX 2026, International Travel Expo, Philippine Pet Expo 2026, ALT Philippines, Interior Design Manila, BeautyCon 2026 and Franchise Asia Philippines International Franchise Expo.

SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy E. Angeles said SMX benefits from being strategically located within SM Prime’s mixed-use developments, giving organizers and attendees convenient access to hotels, restaurants, retail establishments and transportation.

The strong performance is also supporting SMX’s next phase of expansion.

Scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026, SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu is expected to become the Philippines’ largest convention center. Located beside SM Arena Seaside Cebu and connected to SM Seaside City Cebu through a link bridge, the development will create an integrated destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, entertainment and retail.

Expansion will continue in Metro Manila with SMXCITE in Pasay City, targeted to open in early 2027. The 18,000-square-meter facility will provide 900 parking spaces and direct access to SM Mall of Asia through an elevated walkway. Its location near Ninoy Aquino International Airport and surrounding hotels is expected to support both domestic and international events.

Once the new facilities are operational, SMX’s nationwide portfolio will grow to seven convention centers and six trade halls, with more than 90,000 square meters of combined leasable space—strengthening its role in the Philippines’ growing business events and tourism landscape.