“We are delighted to have IKEA Loulé joining us at BLiP” – Michael Reeve, CEO of afpop, BLiP organisers
The countdown has begun for the 2024 edition of Better Living in Portugal, the event better known as BLiP, which will bring together nearly 100 exhibitors under the same roof at the Portimão Arena on Saturday and Sunday (October 12-13).
Since its inaugural edition, the event, organised by afpop, has aimed to act as a one-stop shop for expats, providing a glimpse of the many businesses, services and institutions that work to make people’s lives better in Portugal.
A major addition to BLiP’s exhibitor list this year will be Swedish furniture giant IKEA, recognised as the world’s largest furniture retailer. Present in the Algarve since the opening of its Loulé store in 2017, the multinational company will be making its debut at BLiP to showcase its interior design service.
“We are delighted to have IKEA Loulé joining us at BLiP and taking the opportunity to present their new interior design service to BLiP visitors. Having one of the Algarve’s largest companies exhibiting at our exhibition is a real feather in our cap and we are really looking forward to welcoming them into the BLiP family,” said Michael Reeve, CEO of afpop, Portugal’s largest foreign residents’ association.
The IKEA stand (S30) will be located near the afpop stand, he added.
Many other newcomers will be participating in this year’s expo, along with many other exhibitors who make sure to book their spot every year at the event.
“We try to make sure it’s never just the ‘same old same old’ at BLiP,” Reeve said, explaining that an effort is made to ensure a balance between newcomers and returning exhibitors.
The charities section of the event will be back again in 2024, following the successful decision to integrate the ‘Community Islands’ with the rest of the fair as opposed to keeping them concentrated on one side of the venue.
While Reeve stresses that BLiP is a business expo first and foremost, integrating these new features helps diversify what the event has to offer to visitors.
Organising the event also gives afpop an opportunity to help promote worthy causes and raise awareness about key issues, such as the Algarve’s ongoing drought situation. This year, afpop is teaming up with regional water company Águas do Algarve and will be setting up a centrepiece to call attention to the region’s water scarcity.
“The situation is becoming more and more critical,” Reeve warned, revealing that visitors interested in learning more will be able to receive several water-saving tips, such as how to make gardens less water-reliant.
Meanwhile, BLiP will also feature a Toyota car exhibition.
The Portimão Arena is easy to find off Junction 5 of the A22, or the hospital exit off the EN125 and then follow the signs. Entry is free and plentiful parking is also free. And the opening times of 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday allow visitors plenty of time for a relaxed browse around the stands. The Arena is a purpose-built exhibition centre, and BLiP is held inside so adverse weather conditions are no excuse not to visit.
See you there!
By MICHAEL BRUXO
