SMX Convention Center Davao has seen business events gradually returning since the imposition of martial law throughout Mindanao in May.
According to SMX Davao branch manager Daphne Alojado, the cancellation of events due to martial law was one of her concerns, but most of them had instead chosen to reschedule to later in the year or next.
Interviewed on the sidelines of the Davao Investment Conference 2017, Alojado told TTGmice that she also has been explaining to clients that it’s business as usual, and that the heightened security would help to make people feel more secure.
It also helped that there were many government-hosted and government-sponsored events this year, such as the series of ASEAN meetings held in SMX Davao.
When asked for a view of the future, Alojado expects association meetings to pick up in August, and for 3Q2017 and 4Q2017 to be as busy as previous years. Business next year looks good for conventions as well, as the venue was able to maintain its regular accounts while bagging new ones.
Overall, more business and commercial developments are expected in Davao over the next four to five years, which bodes well for the convention centre.
