Butlak, the 40th Negros Trade Fair, arrives at SMX Conventions Center in SM Aura from September 22 to 27, 2026, ready to honor the region’s craftsmanship with a diverse line-up of vendors.
Butlak, a Hiligaynon word that translates to the rising of the sun or bloom, echoes the Negrense spirit: an amalgamation of unyielding resolve, resourcefulness, and an unshakeable faith in the promise of a new dawn. It’s the spirit that invigorated the Negros Trade Fair four decades ago, and one that still inspires it today with the arrival of its 40th edition. Returning to the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura from September 22 to 27, 2026, the fair’s 40th edition will be featuring a total of 178 brands.
“We really try to bring all that the Negros Island region has to offer to the fair. We even have silk weavers from Aklan, artisans from Kanlaon, homegrown hospitality brands as well as real estate properties joining this year’s event,” explains Mary Ann Colmenares, Chairperson of the Negros Trade Fair.
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How The Negros Trade Fair Started
During the first edition of the Negros Trade Fair 40 years ago, 30 vendors from Negros Occidental gathered at the Makati Carpark to showcase local crafts, products, and wares from the region. Following the collapse of the sugar industry, sugar farm workers began harnessing their creativity through food, weaves, furniture, and the arts as a means of augmenting their livelihoods. It was at that first Negros Trade Fair that they began to see the possibility of a new sunrise for the region.
“During one of the early Negros Trade Fairs, the theme was Hope Shines in Negros. This is the mindset that has consistently guided us throughout the 40 years of the trade fair,” Colmenares recalls. “The Negrenses have held on to the promise of a new day, and that God’s mercies are new every morning.”
A shared sense of fortitude, grassroots solidarity, and economic survival soon laid the foundations for the Negros Trade Fair. It also saw the birth of the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), whose mandate is to support and empower MSMEs, artisans, and producers from the region.
Negros Trade Fair President, Christina Gaston, elaborates: “Our task is to find ways for brands to grow and to drive economic growth. While ANP is the incubator, the fair is the platform. The idea of Butlak was anchored on how our entrepreneurs have bloomed over the years.”
A More Expansive And Diverse Negros Trade Fair
“We are in bloom as we celebrate our 40th,” remarks Colmenares. This year’s campaign, for instance, captures other facets of Negros beyond Sugarlandia and its landmark heritage houses. It reflects a more expansive and inclusive trade fair that endeavors to showcase the region’s creative sectors under one platform. “We are not limiting ourselves moving forward. We endeavor to embrace the other SMEs from other parts of the Negros Island Region.”
According to Gaston, the integration of Negros Island has been an important driver for bringing a wider variety to the 40th edition of the Negros Trade Fair. Unlike other trade fairs, she clarifies, the selection of participating brands is largely informed by one simple mission: to build businesses in Negros.
“We are interested in showcasing the brands that are from Negros; that have roots or linkages to Negros; or are helping communities or artisans in Negros.” This now includes provinces, towns, and cities in Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
What To Expect At Butlak, The 40th Anniversary Edition
The Negros Trade Fair style offerings have significantly grown, and visitors can expect new names at Butlak, including Camille Villanueva, StyleLoft, Pinas Sadya, Reveri by Ria Bolivar, and Hacienda Mar, to name a few. Negros, after all, is shaped by a rich weaving tradition, making it a popular resource for local fabrics, tropical fibers, and natural dyes.
Over the years, Negros has also established a design DNA anchored on the intentional use of eco-friendly and sustainable materials such as abaca, bamboo, rattan, and hablon. These are expertly crafted into contemporary objects using time-honored techniques.
This year, furniture, decor, and homeware labels such as Hacienda Crafts, Art Energy, ARTISANA, Noah, Madera Handicrafts, and NVC will be highlighted at the fair, alongside some of the region’s most exciting artists and art galleries.
And we can’t forget the delicious food, which has historically been one of the main draws of Negros Trade Fair. This year, it’ll present an even larger selection of the region’s beloved flavors through iconic brands like Bob’s Cafe, 21, Chicken House, El Ideal, and Virgie’s Homemade Products, among others. These all-time favorites will be joined by new and exciting food concepts that reinforce the region’s standing as the slow food capital.
As it was 40 years ago, the Negros Trade Fair continues to shape its annual celebrations around the changing of times. “We are always looking ahead with hopes that the next generation will continue what was started four decades ago,” says Colmenares.
Gaston concurs and adds, “Every year is different. Each generation brings with them evolution. We look forward to more opportunities to collaborate, creating linkages for developing more products, and growing as a community. Now that Negros Trade Fair is representing a united Negros Island and Siquijor, we are eager about defining what makes the region unique and truly special.”
Butlak: The 40th Negros Trade Fair will happen from September 22 to 27, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura. For updates, follow @thenegrostradefair on Instagram.
Photos courtesy of Before Deadlines
Frequently Asked Questions
The 40th Negros Trade Fair, Butlak, will take place from September 22 to 27, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura.
Butlak is a Hiligaynon word that translates to the rising of the sun or bloom. It reflects the Negrense spirit of resilience, resourcefulness, and faith in the promise of a new day.
Butlak will feature 178 brands showcasing the breadth of the Negros Island Region and Siquijor, including fashion, food, furniture, homeware, crafts, art, and other creative sectors.
The fair will feature fashion and lifestyle names including Camille Villanueva, StyleLoft, Pinas Sadya, Reveri by Ria Bolivar, and Hacienda Mar. Food highlights include Bob’s Cafe, 21, Chicken House, El Ideal, and Virgie’s Homemade Products, alongside new food concepts from the region.
The Negros Trade Fair began 40 years ago with 30 vendors from Negros Occidental gathering at the Makati Carpark to showcase local crafts, products, and wares. It emerged following the collapse of the sugar industry, giving sugar farm workers an avenue to use their creativity in food, weaving, furniture, and the arts while finding new ways to support their livelihoods.
