L-R: Mr. Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr. – President, SM Engineering Design and Development Corp.; Ms. Peggy Angeles – Executive Vice President, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.; Ms. Elizabeth T. Sy – President, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.; and Mr. Walid Wafik – Senior Vice President for Operations, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., during the groundbreaking ceremony of SMXCITE,
held onsite earlier this month.

Set to become the Philippines’ largest international exhibition venue under SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation’s (SMHCC) brand portfolio, SMXCITE officially breaks ground in Pasay City. SMX Convention Center, the flagship convention center brand under SMHCC, is redefining the landscape of Philippine events with the launch of SMXCITE, a world-class venue now under development by SM Prime Holdings, Inc. It is strategically located right across SM MOA Arena, within the SM Mall of Asia Complex, which is dubbed as one of the country’s most connected business and lifestyle districts.

The official groundbreaking ceremony marked a bold step forward for SMX Convention Center, strengthening its leadership in the country’s fast-growing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector. The event was led by SMHCC President Ms. Elizabeth T. Sy; SM Engineering Design and Development Corp. President Mr. Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr.; SMHCC Executive Vice President Ms. Peggy Angeles; and SMHCC Senior Vice President for Operations Mr. Walid Wafik, — underscoring the strategic vision behind this landmark development.

With golden shovels in hand, this ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter for SMX Convention Center.

Upon its completion in early 2027, SMXCITE will introduce over 18,000 square meters of leasable trade hall space to the SMX portfolio, effectively doubling the capacity of SMX Convention Center Manila. Together, both venues will offer over 35,000 square meters of flexible exhibition and event space within a single destination, further positioning the SM Mall of Asia Complex as the country’s premier hub for international exhibitions, trade fairs, and large-scale business events.

Purpose-built to meet international standards, SMXCITE will feature five expansive exhibition halls, designed to accommodate up to 803 standard 3×3-meter booths. Complementing these are four fully equipped meeting rooms, ideal for breakout sessions, closed-door discussions, and strategic planning engagements. Two dedicated VIP lounges will provide an elevated experience for top-level executives, dignitaries, and private delegations that reflect SMX’s commitment to corporate hospitality and seamless service.

The venue can host a little over 18,000 guests and engineered to support large-format events for both local and global audiences. Sustainability is also central to the development, such that SMXCITE will incorporate natural lighting, energy-efficient infrastructure, and environmentally responsible design principles aligned with SMX Manila’s eco-conscious benchmarks.

With this expansion, SMX Convention Center’s total leasable footprint across its national network will grow to nearly 60,000 square meters, spanning key cities including Manila, Taguig, Mandaluyong, Clark, Olongapo, Bacolod, Cebu, and Davao.

“SMXCITE marks a pivotal step in our continued efforts to build future-ready venues that meet global standards,” said Walid Wafik, Senior Vice President for Operations of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation. “With this new exhibition center, along with exciting projects on the horizon in Cebu and in Cabanatuan, we’re expanding our reach and reinforcing our commitment to elevate the Philippine MICE experience across the country.”

As the global events industry continues to evolve, SMXCITE is poised to position Metro Manila as a notable player in Southeast Asia’s MICE arena, making it ready to host future-forward gatherings that connect, inspire, and elevate industries.

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About SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC)

SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) was established in April 2008 with the primary purpose of developing and managing the hotel and convention properties of SM Prime, one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia. SMHCC is guided by its mission to be the leading hotel and convention company in the Philippines and its vision to build and operate hotels and convention centers that take pride in Filipino warmth and hospitality.

SMHCC’s encouraging growth has propelled the company’s goal to double its portfolio throughout the country within the next five years. It is geared towards becoming a brand powerhouse that ultimately seeks to create an indelible mark in the country’s tourism industry.

Currently, the SMHCC portfolio is comprised of ten (10) hotel properties with a combined inventory of more than 2,600 rooms and over 42,000 sqm. of leasable convention space. The list of properties under SMHCC includes Taal Vista Hotel, Pico Sands Hotel, Conrad Manila, Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Radisson Blu Cebu, Park Inn by Radisson Clark, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod, and the SMX Convention Centers and trade halls.

For more information, please visit https://smhotels.com.ph/

About SMX Convention Center

SMX Convention Center is the premier venue for meetings and events in the country with over 38,000 sq.m. of leasable space. Under the flagship of SMX Manila are SMX Aura, SMX Bacolod, SMX Davao, Olongapo City Convention Center, SMX Clark, and two Trade Halls namely, Megatrade Hall and Sky HallSeaside Cebu. For more information, please visit www.smxconventioncenter.com