Insider Spotlight
SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) is sharpening its focus on building a future-ready hospitality workforce, using integrated hiring and development platforms to attract and prepare talent for long-term careers in the industry.
The company recently took part in hosting Career Connect, a large-scale career fair at the SMX Convention Center Manila that brought together SM Prime Holdings’ diverse business units under a shared goal of opening doors to meaningful employment and leadership pathways.
Why it matters
Hospitality remains one of the most people-driven sectors of the Philippine economy, and competition for skilled, adaptable talent is intensifying.
By positioning Career Connect as a collaborative ecosystem rather than a traditional job fair, SM Hotels is signaling a shift toward workforce readiness, career mobility, and sustained employability.
Career Connect welcomed 863 applicants who engaged directly with employers from SM Prime Holdings, SM Supermalls, SM Engineering Design and Development Corp., SM Development Corp., and SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. For SM Hotels, participation went beyond recruitment, highlighting how hospitality roles are evolving alongside guest expectations, technology, and service innovation.
What they are doing
SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. showcased opportunities across its owned, managed, and franchised properties, including Taal Vista Hotel, Conrad Manila, Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Park Inn by Radisson North Edsa, and SMX Convention Center.
Roles spanned hotel operations, conventions, and guest services, offering candidates exposure to multiple career tracks within one group.
The event was reinforced by partners such as BDO, SM Foundation, LifeSkills PH, and several manpower agencies, reflecting a broader approach to career readiness that includes training, financial literacy, and skills development.
Government agencies including PhilHealth, SSS, Pag-IBIG, Department of Labor and Employment, and PESO Pasay provided on-site support to ensure applicants had access to essential employment services.
What they are saying
“Career Connect reflects what SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation stands for creating opportunities, investing in people, and building a future-ready hospitality workforce,” SMHCC executive vice president Peggy E. Angeles said in a press release on Jan. 8, 2026.
“We are proud to open our doors to talents who share our passion for service excellence and innovation.”
The big picture
Career Connect 2025 highlights how SM Hotels is aligning recruitment with long-term workforce development.
By integrating employers, educators, partners, and government agencies, the group is laying groundwork for a hospitality talent pipeline built on adaptability, growth, and shared success in a rapidly changing industry. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
