SMX Convention Center, the premier meetings and exhibitions arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), officially closed 2025 with record-breaking performance metrics, solidifying its status as the Philippines’ leading venue for large-scale international and local events.
In a year defined by a robust return to face-to-face engagement, SMX booked a total of 1,632 events across its eight properties—a 10% increase from the 1,480 events hosted in 2024. Notably, the distribution of these events was nearly equal between Metro Manila and regional hubs, signaling a significant shift in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) landscape.
Key provincial destinations—including Clark, Bacolod, Davao, and Olongapo—saw a surge in popularity, proving that the demand for world-class event spaces is rapidly decentralizing.
The appeal of SMX’s diverse event lineup resulted in a massive spike in attendance. Total visitor traffic climbed 34%, reaching 8.54 million attendees compared to 6.37 million the previous year.
“Since the pandemic reopening, we have seen sustained demand not only in Metro Manila but also in key regional destinations,” said Peggy Angeles, Executive Vice President of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC). “The accessible locations of our venues also encouraged walk-in visitors, particularly for exhibitions and consumer shows open to the public.”
The year featured a mix of high-profile trade exhibitions, lifestyle shows, and massive community gatherings, including:
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Industrial & Trade: PhilConstruct, WOFEX, and SIGMA.
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Consumer & Lifestyle: Manila International Auto Show, Travel Tour Expo, and various bridal fairs.
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Community & Pop Culture: Large-scale cosplay conventions that drew record-breaking youth participation.
To meet this escalating demand, SMX is aggressively expanding its footprint with two landmark projects that will redefine the country’s event capacity:
| Project | Location | Estimated Opening | Key Feature |
| SMX Seaside Cebu | Cebu City | Q4 2026 | Poised to be the largest convention center in the Philippines. |
| SMXCITE | MOA Complex, Pasay | Early 2027 | An 18,000-sqm facility and the country’s largest international exhibition venue. |
“We are scaling capacity in step with demand, while focusing on developments that complement our current portfolio,” Angeles added. “This allows us to extend growth beyond the capital and strengthen our presence in key provincial markets.”
