7 Reasons You Should Visit the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair

Meet the inspiring women taking center stage through WomenBizPH and SM for MSMEs

The next standout Filipino brand could be closer than you imagine. Behind every handcrafted accessory, woven creation, artisanal treat, sustainable fashion piece, and proudly Filipino product is a woman who took the courage to transform an idea into a thriving business. Some keep generations-old Filipino craftsmanship alive, while others create new sources of livelihood within their communities. Many are also taking the next step, moving from trade fair booths toward broader retail opportunities.

These inspiring stories came together at the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair 2026, which kicked off at SM Megamall on August 10. The three-day event brought together women entrepreneurs, government officials, industry partners, and shoppers for opportunities focused on business, learning, collaboration, and meaningful connections.

Organized by WomenBizPH in partnership with SM Supermalls through SM for MSMEs, the trade fair celebrates more than what’s being sold. It puts the spotlight on the remarkable women behind the brands and creates opportunities for more Filipino businesses to be seen, supported, and discovered.

Here are seven reasons why this year’s trade fair is more than just a marketplace.

1. Every booth has a story waiting to be discovered. Walk through the trade fair and you’ll discover more than beautiful products.You’ll meet master weavers preserving generations of Filipino craftsmanship, entrepreneurs transforming family recipes into businesses, and women turning local materials and creative ideas into products that can compete in a much bigger marketplace.

For Ma. Cecilia Mina of Tinguian Ethnic Art Handloom Woven Products from Apayao, trade fairs have changed the way they reach customers. “Dati, naglalako lang kami para makabenta. Napakalaking ginhawa na nakakasali kami sa mga ganitong trade fair. Pang-limang taon na po namin dito.” Her experience captures something easily overlooked when shopping: behind every booth may be an entrepreneur who once had to go from place to place looking for customers—and who now has a marketplace where customers can discover her.

As Rosemarie Bosch Ong, President of WomenBizPH, shared during the opening, the Women Strong Network is about building not only businesses, but a community where women can learn, grow, and inspire one another, with platforms such as SM helping their stories and products reach more people.

2. You might discover your next favorite Filipino brand. From handcrafted fashion and woven home décor to artisanal food, wellness products, accessories, personal care, and sustainable lifestyle brands, the trade fair brings together a diverse collection of women-led Filipino enterprises.But the best discoveries often begin with a conversation.

Here, shoppers can meet the entrepreneurs themselves, ask about how products are made, hear the inspiration behind a brand, and understand the work that goes into something they might otherwise simply pick up from a shelf. Every purchase supports a local entrepreneur. Every new customer expands a brand’s reach. And every discovery can bring a small business one step closer to its next opportunity.

3. Great entrepreneurs never stop learning. Building a successful business takes more than having a great product.The opening program reinforced the importance of continuously learning, adapting, innovating, and building the right partnerships. Government agencies, private-sector organizations, and industry leaders came together to reaffirm their support for helping women entrepreneurs become more competitive through market access, capability-building, innovation, and collaboration.

Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista underscored the role of women entrepreneurs in driving economic growth and the importance of collaboration among government, the private sector, WomenBizPH, and SM for MSMEs in providing knowledge, support, and market opportunities. Day 2 continues with business talks, mentoring, and discussions on innovation and transformation to help entrepreneurs prepare for their next stage of growth.

4. Sometimes the biggest opportunity begins with a conversation. Not every measure of success happens at the checkout counter.Throughout the trade fair, entrepreneurs connect directly with shoppers, fellow founders, mentors, government representatives, and potential business partners.A conversation can become a new customer. An introduction can lead to a collaboration. A trade fair appearance can open the door to a bigger market. For MSMEs, these connections matter because growing a business isn’t simply about selling more—it is also about meeting the people and finding the opportunities that can help take the business forward.
5. Behind every product is a community and culture worth supporting. For many women entrepreneurs, their businesses represent something bigger than themselves.Sitti Go Se of Mindanao Pearl International, a third-generation business owner, works with people from her own community in Sulu who harvest the pearls and create the jewelry sold by the company.

“Ang mga empleyado po sa amin ay mismong mga kababayan namin sa Sulu. Sila po ang umaani ng pearls at gumagawa ng jewelry. Proud Filipino po tayo—ang designs namin ay sariling atin. These events help promote our products and culture, and we get a lot of inquiries and sales through them.” Her story shows the ripple effect behind supporting a Filipino MSME: one purchase can help sustain a business, create livelihood, preserve craftsmanship, and bring a community’s culture to a wider audience.

6. Success deserves to be celebrated—and shared. The Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair also creates opportunities to recognize women who continue to push their businesses forward.The celebration continues with entrepreneur learning sessions, networking opportunities, exhibitor testimonials, the Amazing Weaves Distinction Awards, and the Capstone Awards, recognizing excellence across areas such as creativity, craftsmanship, innovation, sales performance, and booth presentation.But recognition is about more than receiving an award. When the journey of one woman entrepreneur is celebrated, it can show another aspiring entrepreneur what is possible. And sometimes, seeing someone else’s success is the encouragement another woman needs to finally take her own first step.

7. A trade fair can be the beginning of something much bigger. For SM Supermalls, a trade fair is more than a place to sell—it can be a pathway to growth. Through SM for MSMEs, entrepreneurs gain opportunities to be discovered, reach new customers, and take their businesses further.

For Gloria Pantaleon, owner of Gloria’s Delicacies, that opportunity has already opened new doors. “We started by joining trade fairs, and today some of our popular products are already being distributed through SM Hypermarket. Our dream is to reach even more customers through other SM retail channels. That’s what opportunities like these can do—give a small local business like ours a pathway to become something bigger.”

Corrs Valenton, CEO of Corrsy’s Kitchen, shares a similar journey from a small start to a growing retail presence. “I started with just a small booth at SM in 2022. Today, we have grown into kiosks at SM City Fairview and SM City Bicutan. SM gave us the opportunity to be discovered, reach more customers, and turn a small beginning into a growing business.”

Their journeys reflect what Royston Cabunag, Assistant Vice President and Head of SM Communities at SM Supermalls, shared during the opening: “At SM Supermalls, we believe our role goes beyond providing places where people shop. Through SM for MSMEs, we create platforms where entrepreneurs can be discovered, local brands can flourish, and communities can thrive. Behind every great Filipino brand is an entrepreneur whose story deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated.”

Because the journey from market to mainstream can begin with one opportunity to be discovered—and the right platform to grow.

Discover the Women Behind Today’s Inspiring Filipino Brands

Whether you’re searching for handcrafted gifts, eco-friendly fashion, local delicacies, or simply an inspiring story, the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair offers more than just a shopping destination. It provides an opportunity to meet the creators behind the products, discover proudly Filipino brands, and support women entrepreneurs whose businesses help uplift families, strengthen communities, and open doors to new opportunities.

Visit the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair 2026:

• SM Megamall | August 10–12
• SM City Cebu | August 14–16

Because behind every booth is more than just a business—it’s a woman with a vision, a passion, and a dream, perhaps representing the next proudly Filipino brand waiting to be discovered.