The 40-square-meter suites are offered exclusively to brands and corporations under a minimum one-year lease. Each can accommodate up to 30 guests and features lounge and theater-style seating, a private restroom, dedicated VIP access, high-speed Wi-Fi and prime views of live events.
Corporate hospitality
Suite holders can customize their spaces with branded furnishings and installations, allowing companies to create tailored experiences for clients, partners and employees.
At SM Seaside Cebu Arena, partners also gain exclusive access to six multipurpose function rooms that can be used for meetings, corporate events and other business engagements.
“Premium suites have become a popular feature at leading sports and entertainment venues worldwide because they elevate the live event experience,” SM Prime president Jeffrey C. Lim said. “They also give businesses a more engaging way to connect with clients, partners and employees.”
Major entertainment venues worldwide, including Madison Square Garden, The O2 Arena and Mercedes-Benz Arena Shanghai, offer private suites in various formats.
Expanding the concept
SM Prime introduced the premium suite concept in the Philippines with the opening of the SM Mall of Asia Arena in 2012, which the company said marked Southeast Asia’s first corporate hospitality offering of its kind.
The property developer has since upgraded its suite services, offering advance event advisories, direct office ticket delivery, dedicated suite attendants and customized menus from Premiere Café and accredited caterers.
Corporate suite holders include Aboitiz Group, ABS-CBN, Cignal TV, Coca-Cola, Globe Telecom, Meralco, Nestlé Philippines, PLDT, San Miguel Corporation, Sun Life Philippines, Unilever Philippines and Visa, among others.
Early partners at SM Seaside Cebu Arena include Bai Hotel, Cebu Landmasters Inc., Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Dynamic Power Marine & Industrial Hardware, Nature’s Spring, Skyrise Realty and Development Corp., and the University of Cebu.
The early uptake signals growing corporate interest in using entertainment venues not only for live events but also as spaces for client engagement, networking and brand experiences. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
