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SM Hotels’ SMX Convention Center hauls multiple awards at the ASEAN Tourism Forum

Walid Wafik (leftmost) and Catherine Nepomuceno (second from right), Senior Vice Presidents-Operations of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) join fellow delegates from Region III.

SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation’s (SMHCC) SMX Convention Center cements its position as a top-of-mind brand in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry after earning two major regional distinctions at the recently concluded ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu, recognizing excellence in venue management and service standards.

SMX Convention Center was named Best ASEAN Convention Center at the ASEANTA Excellence Awards 2026, one of the region’s most respected platforms celebrating outstanding tourism and events destinations. This milestone marks the first time SMX Convention Center has received this prestigious honor, reinforcing its role as a premier MICE venue that drives business events, attracts international delegates, and contributes significantly to the growth and sustainability of the country’s tourism ecosystem.

Walid Wafik and Catherine Nepomuceno, Senior Vice Presidents-Operations of SMHCC receive the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards for ASEAN MICE Venue – Exhibition Venue Category for SMX Convention Center Manila and Clark.
Walid Wafik, Senior Vice President-Operations of SMHCC receives the Best ASEAN Convention Center Award 2026 on stage with the rest of the SMX team at the 35th ASEANTA Excellence Awards.

Further solidifying its leadership in the exhibition sector, SMX Convention Center Manila and SMX Convention Center Clark were both recognized at the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards, winning the ASEAN MICE Venue in the Exhibition Venue Category. In 2024, SMX Convention Center Manila stood out as the sole property to receive recognition, marking a significant achievement for the convention center brand. Building on this momentum, the 2026 awards further reaffirm SMX’s growing leadership in the industry, with both SMX Convention Center Manila and SMX Convention Center Clark earning accolades—reflecting the continued expansion of hospitality distinction across SMX venues and highlighting their collective impact on the country’s MICE and tourism landscape.

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“Being recognized by ASEAN bodies not only validates the hard work of our teams, but also strengthens the SMX brand as a preferred venue for regional and international events. With the opening of new SMX properties in 2026, we continue to expand our reach and offer world-class venues driving the continued development and global competitiveness of the country’s MICE sector.” said Walid Wafik, Senior Vice President-Operations of SMHCC.

ASEANTA Excellence Awards: Best ASEAN Convention Center Award 2026 awarded to SMX Convention Center. ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards: ASEAN MICE Venue – Exhibition Venue Category awarded to SMX Manila and SMX Clark.
SMX Convention Center Manila and SMX Convention Center Clark were both recognized at the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards, winning the ASEAN MICE Venue in the Exhibition Venue Category.

As SMX Convention Center expands its footprint with new branches set to open within the year in Cebu, Cabanatuan, Sta. Rosa (Laguna), Sto. Tomas (Batangas), and Pasay, this strategic growth supports SMX’s long-term vision of bringing MICE infrastructure to more destinations, while continuing to elevate industry standards across the Philippines and the ASEAN region. With multiple award-winning venues, an expanding portfolio, and a strong commitment to service excellence, SMX Convention Center remains at the forefront of the MICE industry—driving business tourism growth and positioning the Philippines as a premier events destination in Southeast Asia.

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