SMX Convention Center has secured its third consecutive Philippines’ Best Convention & Exhibition Center title at the 35th TTG Travel Awards, as parent company SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) expands its meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) facilities beyond established business hubs.
The award, presented on September 24, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand, was determined by votes from travel and tourism professionals across the Asia-Pacific region. The recognition highlights SMX’s role in attracting business events to the Philippines, even as the company pursues a wider geographic reach to tap emerging regional markets.
“SMX’s third repeat win reflects the strength of our MICE operations and our continued commitment to investing in key markets where commerce, tourism, and economic activity can grow together,” said SMHCC Senior Vice President for Operations Walid Wafik.
The latest recognition comes as SMHCC builds out its convention and exhibition portfolio, with projects aimed at increasing capacity for large-scale events and bringing business-event infrastructure closer to regional economies.
In Cebu, SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu is set to become the largest facility in the SMX portfolio, potentially strengthening the city’s ability to accommodate major conventions and exhibitions.
The company is also developing the SMXCITE Center for International Trade and Exhibitions within the SM Mall of Asia complex, alongside the existing SMX Convention Center Manila. The project will add to the group’s presence in Metro Manila, one of the country’s established centers for business events.
Beyond the major urban hubs, SMHCC plans to develop SMX Trade Halls in Cabanatuan, Sto. Tomas and Nuvali. The planned facilities are intended to extend access to exhibition and business-event venues in emerging markets, with potential benefits for local tourism operators and enterprises.
While the consecutive award wins reinforce SMX’s standing in the convention sector, the company’s expanding pipeline also points to a broader strategy: pairing its established presence in major business centers with new venues in regional markets where additional event capacity could support tourism and commercial activity.
