SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) joined other major SM Prime Holdings units in hosting Career Connect 2025, a large-scale, integrated career fair held at the SMX Convention Center Manila that aimed to strengthen the country’s future hospitality and services workforce.
Billed as a flagship talent initiative of SM Prime Holdings, Career Connect brought together the group’s various business units under a single platform, offering jobseekers a consolidated view of career opportunities across the SM ecosystem. The event was designed to attract both entry-level applicants and experienced professionals seeking long-term growth within one of the country’s largest property and lifestyle groups.
A total of 863 applicants attended the fair, engaging directly with recruiters from SM Prime Holdings, Inc., SM Supermalls, SM Engineering Design and Development Corp. (SMEDD), SM Development Corp. (SMDC), and SMHCC, which presented openings from its owned, managed, and franchised properties. These include Taal Vista Hotel, Conrad Manila, Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA, and the SMX Convention Center, covering roles in hotel operations, conventions, and guest services.
The event also drew support from partner institutions that play a role in workforce development and employment readiness. Financial services were represented by BDO, while SM Foundation and LifeSkills PH offered information on training and scholarship opportunities. Several manpower agencies—including Kares International Commodities & Manpower Services Corp., Green Pasture People Management, Inc., and All Around Services and Merchandising Corp.—were also on hand, highlighting the broader employment network supporting job placement and skills matching.
Government agencies such as PhilHealth, the Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG Fund, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Pasay provided on-site assistance, helping applicants address employment documentation and compliance requirements as part of their job search.
One of the day’s highlights was a panel discussion titled “Inside SM: Empowering People, Enabling Possibilities,” which featured human resource leaders from SM Prime, SM Supermalls, SMDC, and SMHCC. The discussion focused on SM’s people-first culture, career mobility within the group, and practical advice on building sustainable, long-term careers.
“Career Connect reflects what SMHCC stands for: creating opportunities, investing in people, and building a future-ready hospitality workforce,” said SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy Angeles. “We are proud to open our doors to talents who share our passion for service excellence and innovation.”
Organizers said Career Connect 2025 reinforced SM’s broader commitment to talent development by linking jobseekers, employers, training institutions, and government agencies in one venue—an approach that mirrors the evolving needs of the hospitality and services sector in a competitive labor market.