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Richmond Mercurio - The Philippine Star
November 28, 2025 | 12:00am
SM Prime, through SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), will expand its convention portfolio with the opening the SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu in the fourth quarter of 2026.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — SM Prime Holdings Inc., the integrated property development arm of the Sy family’s SM Group, is reinforcing its presence in the hospitality sector with a P3.6-billion investment to build one of the largest meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) venues in the Visayas.
SM Prime, through SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), will expand its convention portfolio with the opening the SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu will feature over 21,000 square meters of leasable space spread across six levels, accommodating over 18,000 seating capacity.
“This regional expansion reaffirms our position as the largest private convention center network in the Philippines,” SMHCC executive vice president Peggy Angeles said.
Once completed, SMX Seaside Cebu will bring SMX’s total convention portfolio to over 80,000 square meters of event leasable area across 10 venues nationwide.
This includes the planned SMXCITE in Pasay, SMX Manila, SMX Aura in Taguig, SMX Bacolod, SMX Davao, SMX Clark, SMX Olongapo, Skyhall Seaside Cebu and Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall.
SMX currently has a footprint of about 42,000 square meters of leasable event space.
SM Prime said that SMX Seaside Cebu is experiencing strong early demand from MICE clients across the region, with pre-booked events already lined up.
The project supports the company’s strategy of expanding in high-growth regional centers, while contributing to the long-term development of Cebu as a premier business and lifestyle destination.
It is part of SM Prime’s South Coast City project, a 26-hectare master-planned estate in Cebu that also features the upcoming SM Seaside City Arena.
South Coast City is envisioned as a major lifestyle and business hub in the southern Philippines.
“After recent events, we hope SMX Seaside Cebu will play a meaningful role in revitalizing the province’s tourism and business landscape,” Angeles said.
SM Prime said that SMX Seaside Cebu prioritizes the safety and security of its clients, with its comprehensive emergency and disaster preparedness protocols that align with the company’s standards and local government regulations.
It said that safety inspections, emergency evacuation drills and staff training are regularly conducted to ensure an immediate and orderly response in the event of unforeseen events, such as earthquakes.
