SMHCC announces appointment of new SMX Convention Center Vice President/general Manager

SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) recently announced the appointment of Michael Jaey C. Albaña as Vice President/general Manager of SMX Convention Center (SMXCC).

Albaña has over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry from reputable hotel brands here and abroad. Prior to joining SMXCC, he was the Commercial Director of SMHCC’S luxury property Conrad Manila. He previously held sales and marketing roles in various properties including Century International Hotels, Holiday Inn Manila (now the Manila Pavilion), the Westin Philippine Plaza (now Sofitel Philippine Plaza), Shangri-la’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa, Traders Hotel Manila, Shangri-la’s Fijian Resort and Spa, and Edsa Shangri-la Manila.

Through the years, Albaña has reaped several industry awards in recognition of his valuable contribution to the tourism sector. In 2021, he was a recipient of the Tourism Personality Award given by SKAL International Makati and the Tourism Award of Distinction conferred by the Rotary Club of Manila. He continues to be actively involved with industry-related organizations and has held numerous positions, including: President of the Pasay City Alliance of Tourism Advocates, Director of SKAL International Makati, Assistant Secretary & Director-elect of the prestigious Rotary Club of Manila, an Ex-officio as President of the U.P. Asian Institute of Tourism Alumni Association, Ex-officio as Exec. Vice President of the 1st Tourism Congress of the Philippines and Immediate Past Director of the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association.

As Vice President/general Manager, Albaña shares that the company’s direction is “to bring SMX to the next level and further create an impact in the Philippine tourism industry by being one of the region’s best performing convention centers, creating remarkable experiences through our mantra ‘We Go Beyond Culture’. Focus is on achieving client’s needs and objectives through seamless events management, world-class culinary experiences, efficient technology support, and creating a sustainable, healthy, and safe environment for everyone.”