December 25, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The SM Group is eyeing to expand the capacity of its convention center in Pampanga between 2026 to 2028 to support the growth of Clark as a meetings, incentives and exhibitions (MICE) hub.
In a statement, the SM Group said it is aiming to boost the capacity of the SMX Clark to host large-scale events by expanding its usable space from 2026 to 2028.
“The planned expansion of SMX Clark is already in the pipeline to address the growing demand in the region,” the SM Group said.
At present, SMX Clark houses over 4,000 square meters of leasable space across three halls, three function rooms and 14 meeting rooms.
The SM Group said that the expansion is made possible by its integrated property development approach, reinforcing its commitment to support Clark’s growth as a prime destination for MICE.
“Through the combined efforts of SM’s business units such as Park Inn by Radisson Clark, SMX Convention Center and SM City Clark, we help support the vision to transform Clark into a thriving hub for MICE activities,” SMX Clark cluster senior branch manager Eduardo Miguel Morato said.
“In addition to driving growth for MICE in the region, this initiative also generates livelihood opportunities within the community and spurs local tourism activities,” he added.
Once the expansion is completed, SMX Clark is set to become one of the largest SMX venues, according to the SM Group.
“The MICE industry in Central Luzon’s Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone continues to flourish, as the SM group’s presence in Clark creates a seamless experience for MICE participants,” the SM Group said.
It emphasized that thanks to SMX’s proximity to the Clark International Airport—a 20-minute drive via Manuel Roxas Highway, travelers, whether leisure or business, could easily access SM’s one-stop hub for world events, accommodations and modern retail services.
It cited a statement from the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) saying that SM’s influence on Clark’s tourism industry is reflected in the total number of tourist arrivals in the Clark Freeport Zone, particularly in measuring same-day guests.
From January to June, 16.3 million tourists who visited Clark were categorized as overnight arrivals, same-day guests and airport arrivals.
Same-day guests were recorded at 14.59 million from 740,783 same-day guests in the same period last year, marking a 1,869-percent jump.
“Synergy plays a significant role in supporting this growth, with Park Inn by Radisson Clark offering over 200 rooms and plans for expansion already in progress,” the SM Group said.
It added that in anticipation of this potential growth, the hotel taps into local talent as it seeks individuals who truly understand the community. The group noted that 80 percent of Park Inn’s staff are locally hired from Pampanga.
The SM Group highlighted the promotion of Clark as a go-to MICE destination noting that 115 events were held in the area over the past year. These include 36 running events, 13 biking, duathlon and triathlon events, nine spectator shows, seven festivals and 50 other activities.
It highlighted that SM Clark was the venue for the prestigious MICECON 2024 last July which brought together leaders, stakeholders and experts to discuss the future of the MICE industry in the Philippines.
“This journey isn’t just about infrastructure,” Morato said.
“It is also about building a thriving community where business, tourism and local talent come together to provide world-class facilities and services that meet the evolving needs of our clients and partners,” he added.
Currently, SMX Convention Center operates eight branches nationwide: SMX Manila, Megatrade Hall, SMX Aura, SMX Clark, SMX Olongapo, SMX Bacolod, Sky Hall Seaside Cebu and SMX Davao.
SMX is also set to open the SMX Convention Center Cebu in South Road Properties, Cebu City, by the fourth quarter of 2026. This new facility will have a gross floor area of 40,879 sqm and a gross leasable area of 24,212 sqm.
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