Thousands delighted to return to Portimão Arena
Almost 100 business and community organisations participated in BLiP EXPO 2022 over the past weekend and the overwhelming consensus was that the event was a “resounding success”, say organisers afpop, Portugal’s largest foreign residents’ association.
From the moment the exhibition opened its doors, thousands of visitors (estimates point to around 5,000) eagerly trawled the exhibitors’ stands to get more information about the large variety of products and services on offer.
Business owners, their staff and volunteers gave up their weekend to be on hand. The Mayor of Portimão, Isilda Gomes, and the President of the Algarve Regional Tourism Authority, João Fernandes, both paid a visit and were full of praise for the efforts the exhibitors and the organisers had gone to to welcome visitors, and for the contribution they are making to the local economy and the needs of residents and property owners in general – all fitting in with the afpop and BLiP ethos of ‘Making Life Better’.
“Feedback from both ‘camps’ was extraordinarily positive, with many exhibitors saying that they generated a very high level of good quality leads. And some of those with things to sell on the day had to replenish stocks allowed for two days, after just a few hours,” said afpop’s Marketing Director, David Thursfield.
There was also great feedback for the event’s Community area, where local associations and charities had a chance to promote the work they do to improve the lives of those most vulnerable.
“I spent quite a lot of time walking around that area over the weekend and not only did I see a great deal of interaction between visitors and the charity groups, all of the people on those stands were 100% positive about their experience, with many of them not only attracting a lot of interest from the people who stopped to talk, but also many people volunteering to help a number of the charities and causes, either by volunteering themselves or by making donations to the organisations,” said afpop CEO, Michael Reeve.
He added that the area “was certainly successful enough for us to decide that it will be included again in BLiP EXPO 2023”.
Organisers also stressed that the Portimão Arena provides the ideal venue for the BLiP EXPO and the dates for next year have already been earmarked by afpop.
“So, if you missed out this year, there is no excuse to miss out in 2023. Put the dates in your diary now – October 14 and 15,” the association says.
https://betterlivinginportugal.com/
