Manila: Strong demand for event venues driven by a surge in business events pushed visitor numbers at SMX Convention Centers up 18 percent to 4.3 million in the first half of 2026. SMX Convention Centers, the conferences and exhibitions unit of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), reported on Friday that it hosted 807 booked events nationwide.
According to Philippines News Agency, the largest visitor traffic was registered in the SMX Convention Center Manila, at 2.5 million. Among the major events hosted at the various SMX Convention Centers were WORLDBEX 2026, the International Travel Expo, Philippine Pet Expo 2026, ALT Philippines, Interior Design Manila, BeautyCon 2026, and the 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," SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy E. Angeles said. Angeles said the strong performance in the first months of this year 'supports our ongoing expansion'.
'We are excited to add new capacity in Cebu and Metro Manila," she said. The SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, eyed to be the country's largest convention center, is scheduled to open in the last quarter of this year, while the SMXCITE in Pasay City is targeted to open early next year.
