Property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPH) said it is investing P1.7 billion to build a new venue for trade and exhibitions at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex in Pasay City.
The project, called SMX Center for International Trade and Exhibitions (SMXCITE), aims to expand the company’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) portfolio.
The project is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2027.
SMXCITE will offer more than 18,000 square meters of leasable trade hall space, doubling the current size of SMX Convention Center Manila.
The new facility will have two buildings that can each host over 18,000 guests. It is designed for international trade shows, product launches, corporate gatherings and large consumer events.
Together with SMX Manila, the expansion project will offer more than 35,000 square meters of total space, enhancing the MOA Complex’s appeal for global exhibitions and business events.
Once finished, SMPH’s convention space will total nearly 60,000 square meters across eight venues in the country. These include SMX Aura in Taguig, SMX Bacolod, SMX Davao, SMX Clark, SMX Olongapo, Sky Hall Seaside Cebu and Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall.
SMXCITE will also include features that save energy such as the use of natural daylight. This follows the sustainability goals set by SMX Manila.
The project is seen to strengthen Metro Manila’s place in the growing Southeast Asian MICE industry.
SMPH reported plans in December to expand the SMX Convention Center Clark in Pampanga province to meet the growing demand for large-scale events in Central Luzon.
The expansion, scheduled for completion between 2026 and 2028, will significantly increase the venue’s capacity and make it one of the largest SMX centers.
Hotels and convention centers contributed 3 percent of SMPH’s total net income in the first quarter of 2025. It posted a 17-percent increase to P362 million from P309 million last year, due to strong room bookings and a robust calendar of MICE events.
