SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) is poised to redefine the country’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) landscape as it prepares to open the biggest convention center in the Philippines, SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu. Strategically designed to attract international organizers, it is seen to compete with leading venues across Southeast Asia, including those in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Prime location in Cebu’s South Road Properties

Located within Cebu’s fast-rising South Road Properties (SRP), the region’s most ambitious development corridor, the venue offers seamless connectivity to SM Seaside City Cebu via a link bridge, with direct access to SM Hotels’ uprising hotel properties: a dual-branded development that showcases both the Radisson and Park Inn by Radisson brands. It also stands adjacent to SM Arena Seaside Cebu. This enables event organizers to create a fully integrated event ecosystem in a single destination, where delegates can conveniently access convention facilities, large-scale entertainment venues, as well as a wide range of dining, retail, and leisure experiences within a compact and well-connected district.

A new benchmark: The Philippines’ largest convention center

Spanning a gross floor area of more than 40,000 sq.m. and offering 21,000 sq.m. of leasable space, the convention center is built for scale and flexibility. Its four expansive, column-free exhibition halls feature an impressive 10-meter vertical clearance and industry-grade floor loading capacity of 250 lbs. per sq.foot, ideal for large-scale trade shows, international exhibitions, and high-impact events. Complementing these are eight function rooms and 19 meeting rooms, designed to accommodate a wide range of corporate and social gatherings.

The venue is equipped with advanced technical infrastructure, including robust rigging load capacities, multiple freight and car lifts for efficient ingress and egress, and large roll-up doors for seamless event setup. A 10-meter-high pre-function lobby, executive VIP lounge, and 14 strategically located kitchens further enhance its ability to host simultaneous, large-scale events with premium service delivery.

Built with global standards in mind, SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu offers full connectivity through Wi-Fi, LAN, and telecommunication systems, alongside comprehensive safety features such as CCTV monitoring, automated fire alarm systems, emergency power backup, and an on-site medical clinic. With 1,815 parking slots and a wide network of accredited caterers, contractors, and technical providers, the venue ensures a seamless end-to-end event experience.

Designed for everyone: Inclusive amenities

Beyond its scale and facilities, the center is designed to be inclusive and accessible, with provisions for persons with disabilities, all-gender restrooms, and convenient access to retail, dining, and commercial establishments within its perimeter.

Positioning the Philippines as a Global MICE destination

SM Hotels Senior Vice President for Operations Walid Wafik said, “With its contemporary architecture, expansive capabilities, and prime location, SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu is set to elevate the Philippines’ position in the global MICE industry. It also offers international organizers a compelling alternative to established convention destinations across Southeast Asia while providing the unique opportunity to complement business events with leisure experiences, allowing delegates to enjoy Cebu’s vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and local attractions alongside their professional engagements.”

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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.

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.

“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.

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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SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation’s (SMHCC) conventions and accommodation portfolio garnered multiple accolades during the recent 2025 TTG Travel Awards held at Centara Grand at CentralWorld, Bangkok. Voted by travel agents and industry professionals across the Asia-Pacific region, the TTG Travel Awards celebrate hospitality leaders who set the benchmark in their respective categories. Since 1989, the organization has honored the best of Asia-Pacific’s travel industry.

For one, SM Hotels’ luxury brand Conrad Manila has been named Best Business Hotel–Philippines. This marks the third time the hotel has received this distinguished award, recognizing its outstanding meeting facilities, world-class venues, heartfelt service, and unwavering dedication to innovation and excellence in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry. Joanne Gomez, Commercial Director of Conrad Manila, represented the hotel at the awards ceremony. “We are deeply grateful to the travel agents who recognized Conrad Manila as the Best Business Hotel in the Philippines. Your continued trust and partnership inspire us to continually raise the bar in delivering intuitive service and seamless experiences,” Gomez shared.

Notably, known as the leading convention center in the country, SM Hotels’ SMX Convention Center proudly celebrates its victory as the Best Convention & Exhibition Center–Philippines. This back-to-back recognition follows its 2024 triumph, solidifying SMX’s standing as the country’s premier MICE venue. As the largest private convention center operator in the Philippines, SMX Convention Center manages a dynamic and growing portfolio of venues nationwide: SMX Manila, SMX Aura, SMX Olongapo, SMX Clark, SMX Davao, SMX Bacolod, Megatrade Hall, Sky Hall Seaside Cebu, and soon, new developments in Cebu, Cabanatuan, Sta. Rosa, and Sto. Tomas. “This back-to-back recognition from TTG validates the passion of our teams, the trust of our partners, and the enduring influence of SMX Convention Center in advancing the MICE industry in the Philippines,” said Mike Albaña, Vice President–General Manager of SMX Convention Center.

This haul of awards cements SMHCC’s position as one of the leading players in the hospitality industry that offers a myriad of accommodation options and convention spaces, set in sprawling integrated property developments complemented by a uniquely differentiated brand of care and service.

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SMX Convention Center Manila transformed into a vibrant canvas of taste, technology, and art as it staged “Culinaire 2025: Canvas Reimagined,” reaffirming its position as the country’s premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) venue and a leading force in the Philippine events industry.

Held at the expansive Halls 1 to 3, “Culinaire 2025” elevated the traditional showcase into a multi-sensory spectacle—merging culinary artistry with immersive event technology. More than just a tasting event, it served as a bold statement of SMX’s commitment to creativity, collaboration, and the evolving future of MICE.

Anchored on the theme Canvas Reimagined, this year’s edition redefined the event experience by engaging all five senses. Guests explored a smart registration system integrated with real-time voting, AI chat terminals for on-demand event information, and an AI-powered co-host who joined RJ Ledesma on stage. These innovations, paired with each caterer’s curated three-course menu, were thoughtfully designed to inspire interaction, spark creativity, and raise the bar for event personalization.

At the heart of the evening was a three-course culinary experience inspired by contemporary art and rooted in Filipino heritage. SMX’s partner caterers, in collaboration with acclaimed local artists, unveiled imaginative dishes that blurred the lines between fine dining and visual storytelling. Each partnership offered a unique fusion of food and creative expression:

• Bizu Catering x Ycoy Sitchon – Elegant compositions of emotion and beauty

• Conrad Manila x Mark Justiniani – Depth and imagination on a plate

• Hizon’s Catering x Patrick Pura – Celebrations of life’s richness

• Juan Carlo the Caterer x Katrina Cuenca – Pride in culture and Filipino identity

• Kitchen City x Mylene Quito – A shared language of creativity

• M Catering x Jaime Raphael Atienza – A harmony of complexity and grace

• Richgold Weddings x Samuel Penaso – Sustainable cuisine with bold strokes

• The Creamery Catering x JP Pining – Storytelling through shared local narratives

• TJIOE the Caterer x Emmanuel Miranda – Modern takes on oriental culinary heritage

• Via Mare x Vanessa Bautista – Nostalgia served with heart and heritage

These collaborations competed in the Culinary Awards, judged by a panel of renowned chefs and event professionals, alongside the People’s Choice Awards, which reflected the voice of the guests.

Culinary creativity extended beyond the plate. SMX’s partner mobile bars brought flair to the Best Cocktail and Mocktail Competition. Event Shaker Mobile Bar, together with Tinta Buscalan and Pasa Kalye Artists, delivered a vibrant fusion of street art and mixology. Meanwhile, GQ Mobile Bar, in collaboration with artists Elwah Gonzales, Pancho Alvarez, and Carlo De Laza, impressed with bold, inventive drinks and immersive presentation.

“’Culinaire 2025: Canvas Reimagined’ is more than just a showcase of culinary mastery—it’s a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and innovation in the events industry. Each plate, each space, each interaction is thoughtfully designed to spark the senses, and reimagine what events can be,” said Michael Albaña, Vice President and General Manager of SMX Convention Center. “This also marks our return to a much bigger canvas—quite literally. With the expansion of our event spaces and a growing portfolio of eight SMX branches nationwide, including new venues rising in Cabanatuan, Sta. Rosa, Sto. Tomas, Cebu, and right here in Pasay—we’re unlocking more opportunities to bring Meetings, Conventions, Exhibitions, and milestone events to more destinations across the country. At SMX, we believe events aren’t just about filling a space, but transforming it.”

As the largest privately owned convention center network in the Philippines, SMX continues to lead the industry with scale, vision, and innovation. With its expanding footprint and trusted network of industry partners, SMX delivers high-impact event experiences that shape the future of MICE in the country.

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