SMX Convention Center, the premier venue for the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry in the Philippines, announced major facility upgrades to its 46,647-square-meter flagship property SMX Manila in the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
 
The renovation is set to open more opportunities for business, as Metro Manila progresses to be the premier host capital of the country.
 
The ongoing renovation started with its first phase during the last quarter of 2015, covering major repairs and repainting works to the facade and the interior of the convention center, including an overhaul of the front portals leading to the halls and function rooms, and landscaping of the grand lobbies on the first and second levels of the building.
 
The second phase continues with the replacement of the entire flooring on all levels and major refitting of the 15 meeting rooms on the second level of the property.
 
The renovation, coinciding with the construction of the Conrad Hotel Manila-linked via two bridge ways to the convention center-scheduled to open soon, is targeted for completion midyear.
 
To complement the facility improvements, SMX is also adding more people to fulfill front-of-house functions and 24/7 operations.
 
“The business is now about interaction with the clients. In order for us to operate like a hotel, there has to be stronger attention to detail and emphasis on service and overall event experience,” said Walid Wafik, vice president-general manager of SMX Convention Centers and Trade halls.
 
SMX Convention Center Manila opened in November 2007.
 
It operates five other SMX properties and trade halls across key cities in the Philippines, such as SMX Aura Premier, Davao, Bacolod, Megatrade Hall and Cebu Trade Hall, totaling to an inventory of approximately 39,000 sq m of leasable space. In addition to this roster, the SM Hotels and Conventions group is opening SMX Cebu in 2017.