One of the largest in Visayas: SM Prime pours P3.6B into SMX Seaside Cebu

Real estate giant SM Prime Holdings is accelerating its regional events push with a P3.6-billion buildout of SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, one of the largest venues for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) in the Visayas.

The facility opens in the fourth quarter  2026, offering 21,000 square meters across six levels and room for 18,000 guests. 

A major expansion in SMX’s network

SMX Seaside Cebu will expand SMX’s total leasable event portfolio to over 80,000 sqm across 10 venues, nearly doubling its current 42,000 sqm footprint.

Early bookings are confirmed, including Philconstruct Cebu (Nov 2026) and WOFEX Visayas (Apr 2027).

Peggy Angeles

SM Hotels and Conventions EVP 

Built for scale, long-term demand

“This regional expansion reaffirms our position as the largest private convention center network in the Philippines,” said Peggy Angeles, executive vice president of SM Hotels and Conventions. 

The project forms part of South Coast City, a 26-hectare SM Prime estate beside the planned Seaside Arena, supported by strong airport access and Cebu’s status as a top-10 provincial economy.

Safety and structural readiness

• Compliance with current building and seismic codes

• Regular drills, evacuation and disaster training

• Marked exits, assembly areas and communication systems

—Edited by Miguel R. Camus