SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), the hospitality arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime), is set to significantly expand its footprint in the Visayas region with the opening of the SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu in the fourth quarter of 2026. SM Prime is investing a total of P3.6 billion in developing this major Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) venue.
The new facility is poised to become one of the largest MICE destinations in the Visayas, offering over 21,000 square meters of leasable space across six levels, with seating capacity for over 18,000.
“This regional expansion reaffirms our position as the largest private convention center network in the Philippines,” said Peggy Angeles, Executive Vice President of SMHCC. “After recent events, we hope SMX Seaside Cebu will play a meaningful role in revitalizing the province’s tourism and business landscape.”
With the launch of SMX Seaside Cebu, SMX’s total convention portfolio will expand to over 80,000 square meters of event leasable area across 10 venues nationwide, up from the current 42,000 square meters.
The expanded network will include 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.
The strong market confidence in the new venue is already evident, with pre-booked events lining up, including Philconstruct Cebu in November 2026 and Wofex Visayas in April 2027.
SMX Seaside Cebu is a key component of SM Prime’s South Coast City project, a 26-hectare master-planned estate in Cebu that will also feature the upcoming SM Seaside City Arena. South Coast City is envisioned as a major lifestyle and business hub in the southern Philippines.
Cebu is a strategic choice for this investment, given its excellent connectivity via the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and its robust economic standing as one of the country’s top 10 provincial economies in 2023.
SMX Seaside Cebu prioritizes the safety and security of its clients, aligning with the standards of SM Prime and local government regulations. The structure is compliant with the latest national building codes and seismic safety requirements, with regular safety inspections, emergency evacuation drills, and staff training conducted to ensure immediate and orderly response during unforeseen events.
The investment underscores SM Prime’s strategy of expanding in high-growth regional centers, directly contributing to the long-term development of Cebu as a premier business and lifestyle destination.
