SMX convention visitor traffic surged by 18%

MANILA, Philippines — SMX Convention Centers posted double-digit visitor growth in H1 2026 on strong events demand, and is expanding in Cebu and Metro Manila.

The conferences and exhibitions arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc. said it welcomed 4.3 million visitors across its venues from January to June, up 18 percent from 3.6 million in the same period last year.

READ: SM Seaside Cebu Arena redefines Visayan entertainment

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SMX hosted 807 booked events nationwide during the six-month period. Its flagship SMX Convention Center Manila accounted for the biggest share of visitor traffic, drawing more than 2.5 million visitors.

Regional venues in Davao, Bacolod and Clark likewise recorded growth in visitor traffic.

Among the major events held at SMX venues during the period were Worldbex 2026, International Travel Expo, Philippine Pet Expo 2026, ALT Philippines, Interior Design Manila, BeautyCon 2026 and Franchise Asia Philippines International Franchise Expo.

“Our locations within SM Prime’s larger mixed-use developments give event organizers and attendees direct access to dining, accommodation and transportation options, making events more convenient and attractive,” SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. executive vice president Peggy Angeles said.

Building on the first-half growth, SMX is adding new capacity in Cebu and Pasay City.

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READ: SMX posts record bookings, visitor surge in 2025

SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026 and is set to become the country’s largest convention center.

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The facility is located beside the newly launched SM Arena Seaside Cebu and will be connected to SM Seaside City Cebu through a pedestrian bridge.

The development is envisioned as part of an integrated meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, entertainment and retail destination in the Visayas.

Meanwhile, SMXCITE in Pasay City is slated to open in early 2027 and has already begun booking negotiations with event organizers.

The 18,000-square-meter facility will have 900 parking spaces and direct access to SM Mall of Asia through an elevated walkway.

SMX said its proximity to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and nearby hotels would position the venue for both local and international events.

The two developments will expand SMX’s portfolio to seven convention centers and six trade halls nationwide. Its combined leasable area will increase to more than 90,000 square meters. INQ