SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) took part in hosting Career Connect, a dynamic and integrated career fair held at the SMX Convention Center Manila. The initiative reaffirmed SMHCC’s commitment to attracting, developing, and empowering topnotch talents in the hospitality industry. Through this large-scale recruitment and engagement event, SMHCC highlighted its continued focus on building a future-ready workforce aligned with service excellence and innovation.
Career Connect served as a platform that brought together aspiring professionals, experienced talents, and leading organizations under the SM Group. The event reflected SMHCC’s long-term vision of nurturing people and creating meaningful career opportunities within the hospitality and conventions sector.
Career Connect as a Flagship Talent Initiative
Career Connect is a flagship talent initiative that unites the diverse business units of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., the Property Management arm of the SM Group, under a shared mission. Its primary objective is to open doors to meaningful careers while nurturing future industry leaders across various sectors. By consolidating multiple opportunities into a single venue, the event allowed participants to explore a wide range of career paths efficiently and effectively.
The career fair showcased opportunities across SM’s expansive portfolio, providing both aspiring and experienced professionals with direct access to employers representing different industries. This integrated approach enabled applicants to gain insights into potential career growth within one of the country’s leading hospitality and lifestyle groups.
Broad Participation From SM Business Units and Partners
The event welcomed a total of 863 applicants, all of whom were given the opportunity to directly engage with top employers. These employers were led by SM Prime Holdings, Inc., SM Supermalls, SM Engineering Design and Development Corp. (SMEDD), SM Development Corp. (SMDC), and SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation.
Representing SMHCC were 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. Each of these properties offered diverse roles spanning hotel operations, conventions management, and guest services. This wide range of opportunities demonstrated the depth and scale of SMHCC’s hospitality portfolio and its ability to support various career specializations.
Career Connect was further strengthened by the participation of partner organizations from multiple sectors. BDO provided financial assistance and promotional support, while SM Foundation and LifeSkills PH offered training and scholarship opportunities. Manpower agencies such as Kares International Commodities & Manpower Services Corp., Green Pasture People Management, Inc., and All Around Services and Merchandising Corp. also took part in the event. Their involvement emphasized the importance of collaboration in promoting career readiness and long-term employability.
Holistic Support and Industry Insights for Applicants
Key government agencies were present throughout the event to provide on-site assistance and respond to employment-related inquiries. These included PhilHealth, SSS, Pag-IBIG, DOLE, and PESO Pasay. Their participation ensured that applicants received holistic support, particularly in understanding employment requirements and benefits as they prepared to enter or advance in the workforce.
One of the highlights of Career Connect was the panel discussion titled Inside SM: Empowering People, Enabling Possibilities. The session featured human resource leaders from SM Prime, SM Supermalls, SMDC, and SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation. During the discussion, the panelists shared insights into SM’s people-first culture, offered practical career advice, and discussed how employees can grow, thrive, and build long-term careers within the organization.
“Career Connect reflects what SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation stands for: creating opportunities, investing in people, and building a future-ready hospitality workforce,” said SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy E. Angeles. “We are proud to open our doors to talents who share our passion for service excellence and innovation,” she added.
Career Connect 2025 concluded as a productive and inspiring event that fostered meaningful connections among individuals, organizations, and institutions. It reinforced a shared pursuit of growth, purpose, and professional success, while highlighting SMHCC’s role in shaping the future of the Philippine hospitality and conventions industry.
