The strength of SM Hotels and Convention Corp. (SMHCC) as a company not only lies in having a competent workforce, established processes, and a clearly defined mission statement.
It also rests in having a woman leader with an empathetic approach who inspiresthe rest of the team to be better than their best.
Such is SMHCC’s President Elizabeth T. Sy. She has been a catalyst in shaping the future of the tourism and hospitality business of the SM Group,
SMHCC was established in April 2008 with the primary purpose of developing and managing the hotel and convention properties of the SM Group, one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates with a market value of over $20 billion.
SMHCC is guided by its mission to be the leading hotel and convention company in the Philippines and its vision to build and operate hotels and convention centers that take pride in Filipino warmth and hospitality.
Positioned at the helm of the company, Sy lends a listening ear, an open mind, and an understanding perspective.
Her leadership style is ultimately focused on others. It is about guiding them in a direction that will allow them to find their purpose and ‘reason for being’ in the workplace.
Her intent is to unite and not divide, to find remedies and not faults, and more importantly, to influence one another positively.
Without a doubt, with a positive and an encouraging kind of leadership, employees are empowered and produce optimistic results.
It is therefore not a surprise for Sy to be the recipient of this year’s SKAL International Tourism Personality Award for the Hotel Category.
SKAL is a professional organization composed of tourism leaders around the world whose aim is to promote global tourism and camaraderie. The awards are given to individuals who unselfishly offered their services to further promote and develop the tourism industry.
ETS, as everyone in SMHCC regards her, is a visionary, an active Board of Trustee of the World Wildlife Fund, the designated Honorary Consul General of Iceland in the Philippines, and the pillar behind SMHCC’s robust growth.
She is the driving force that catapulted the development and operations of the hotel and convention centers of the SM Group, which has spurred a massive growth from 2 hotels and 1 convention center in 2008 to 8 hotels and 5 convention centers today.
The SMHCC portfolio of hotels includes Conrad Manila, Radisson Blu Cebu, Taal Vista Hotel, Pico Sands Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson Hotels in Davao, Clark, Iloilo and North Edsa; and the Convention Centers in Manila, Davao, Taguig, Bacolod and Olongapo.
Under Sy’s leadership, this encouraging growth has further propelled SMHCC’s goal to double its portfolio throughout the country within the next five years.
Fully supported by its parent company SM Prime Holdings, Inc., dubbed as one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, SMHCC’s growth is unprecedented.
With an aspiration to constantly innovate and provide value to guests, SMHCC serves as a catalyst in improving the tourism sector. Inherent to the owners is the avid desire to open up various employment opportunities and spur overall progress in the communities the properties are in.
SMHCC is thus poised to make an imprint in the hospitality industry, guided by its mission to be the leading hotel and convention company in the Philippines.
Just recently, one of its renowned 5-star properties, Conrad Manila was awarded the Hotel Suite Asia Pacific 2019 winner at the International Hotel and Property Awards for its majestic Presidential Suite. Undoubtedly, such honor is another feather on SMHCC’s cap and further solidifies the strength of its brand portfolio.
Sy painstakingly ensured that only the best team will be behind the development of Conrad Manila’s Presidential Suite. She meticulously scrutinized every detail that went into such a masterpiece.
An essential decision to be made was the designer of this stately suite. Interior architect Michael Fiebrich was the perfect choice as he is known to have designed the world’s most iconic properties and served demanding global clients. And SMHCC ought to be part of his prominent list of clientele.
As an avid art enthusiast, Ms. Sy commissioned no less than former Cultural Center of the Philippines president Mr. Nestor Jardin, to curate art pieces, which include works of Filipino artists Sam Penaso, Nestor Vinluan, Jonathan Olazo, and Alain Hablo. The presence of this tasteful collection exudes Filipino luxury at its finest.
Indeed, SMHCC stands with utmost pride with this recent accolade as it clearly affirms the owners’ unquestionable integrity, foresight and quest for success.
This recent feat is just one of the many local and international recognitions that the family takes pride in, resulting from an imbibed culture of excellence.
