SMX Seaside Cebu to open with two major trade expos

SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) will open SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu on 26 November 2026, with two major trade exhibitions expected to draw businesses, contractors and industry representatives from across the Visayas.

The 15th anniversary edition of PHILCONSTRUCT Visayas and the Visayas Business Connect Expo 2026 will serve as the inaugural events of the convention center, running simultaneously from 26 to 28 November.

The exhibitions will occupy two levels of the facility, bringing together exhibitors, trade buyers, contractors, property developers and business operators from the construction, manufacturing, logistics, hospitality and other industries.

Located at South Road Properties in Cebu City, the new convention center offers 21,000 square meters of leasable event space, making it one of the country's largest venues for exhibitions and conventions.

The facility is adjacent to SM Seaside City Cebu and the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, forming part of an integrated commercial and entertainment district.

Its exhibition halls are designed to accommodate large-scale gatherings, heavy equipment displays and high volumes of visitors.

Walid Wafik, senior vice president for operations of SMHCC, said the inaugural exhibitions demonstrate the facility's potential to attract major industry events and generate business opportunities.

"Having two major trade gatherings as the inaugural events of SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu is a strong affirmation of the property's potential and the confidence of event organizers in what it can offer. Beyond opening a new convention infrastructure, we are particularly pleased that its first major events will bring together diverse industries and exhibitors, creating opportunities for trade, collaboration, and commercial activity. This is an important milestone for SMHCC and for the continued development of the Philippine MICE sector," Wafik said.

PHILCONSTRUCT Visayas, organized by the Philippine Constructors Association and managed by Global-Link MP, will feature construction equipment, building materials and industry technologies.

Meanwhile, the Visayas Business Connect Expo will bring together four specialized exhibitions covering printing, packaging and plastics; transportation and logistics; hotel and food service supplies; and beauty, health and wellness.

The simultaneous events are expected to provide participating businesses with opportunities to showcase products, establish partnerships and reach potential buyers from Cebu and neighboring provinces.

Janytte Siega, general manager of SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, said the exhibitions would demonstrate the venue's ability to accommodate different industries and event requirements.

"Welcoming PHILCONSTRUCT Visayas and Visayas Business Connect Expo as our debut trade shows is a strong start for SMX Seaside Cebu. The scale and diversity of these events allow us to demonstrate the flexibility of our halls and our ability to accommodate different exhibition requirements under one roof. We look forward to providing organizers, exhibitors, and visitors with a venue that supports the successful staging of their events," Siega said.

Patrick-Lawrence Tan, chief executive officer of Global-Link MP Events International Inc., said the opening would provide an opportunity to expand the reach of trade exhibitions in the region.

"We are proud to bring the country's largest construction equipment and building expo back to the region. We are deeply honored by the trust and confidence that the Philippine Constructors Association has placed in Global-Link MP. To complement PHILCONSTRUCT Visayas and maximize business opportunities across sectors, we have co-located four specialized trade shows, utilizing the expansive floor area of SMX Seaside Cebu and attracting trade buyers from across Cebu and the broader Visayas region," Tan said.

SMHCC said the new convention center would strengthen Cebu's position in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry by expanding its capacity to accommodate major domestic and international events.

SMHCC, the hospitality arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., operates hotels, convention centers and trade halls across the Philippines.

Its portfolio includes 10 hotels with more than 2,600 rooms and a network of convention facilities serving business and leisure markets.

The opening of SMX Seaside Cebu is expected to further expand the group's convention operations while providing additional infrastructure for Cebu's growing exhibition and business events industry.