Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines — Megaworld Corporation has officially opened its standalone convention center, Mactan Expo, positioning it as a key venue for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related events held in the Philippines in 2026.
The P1.5-billion facility marks Megaworld’s strategic entry into the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector. Located within the 30-hectare Mactan Newtown township in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, the Mactan Expo spans more than 9,000 square meters and is designed to host large-scale international gatherings.
Mactan Expo’s opening comes at a pivotal moment as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN chairmanship and hosts the ASEAN Summit in 2026. The venue will host one of the summit’s first major events — the ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) from January 28 to 30, a key component of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) that brings together hundreds of tourism buyers, sellers, and exhibitors from across the region.
Officials from the Department of Tourism and ASEAN member states are participating, underscoring the Philippines’ role in promoting Southeast Asia as a unified tourism destination. Beyond TRAVEX, Megaworld confirmed that Mactan Expo will be one of the venues for the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit scheduled for May 8–9, 2026 in Cebu, highlighting the facility’s importance to both tourism and diplomatic engagements.
The design of Mactan Expo emphasizes versatility and cultural representation. Its main convention hall features a flexible column-free layout that can accommodate large plenary sessions or be subdivided into smaller event spaces. Additional facilities include meeting rooms, VIP lounges, prayer rooms, and curated interior artworks reflecting Cebu’s heritage and coastal character.
Megaworld has also appointed veteran events executive Louella Caridad to lead its MICE business, leveraging her extensive background in venue and exhibition operations. The company plans to integrate Mactan Expo with its broader hospitality offerings — including several on-site hotels — to deliver comprehensive event solutions combining venue space, accommodation, and services.
Megaworld’s leadership views the MICE expansion as part of a broader strategy to boost tourism, attract global events, and support local economic growth. After Cebu, the company is exploring opportunities to replicate convention facilities in other key tourism hubs throughout the Philippines over the next decade.
In addition to ASEAN Summit programming, Mactan Expo aims to secure a diverse calendar of international conferences and exhibitions in the years ahead, strengthening Cebu’s reputation as a regional hub for business and cultural exchange.