The 'Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK' networking lunch in Albufeira last week shows that networking is not dead, in fact it is more important than ever.
This was a true networking event at the Varanda restaurant at Balaia Golf village with members and guests keen to meet new faces and chat before sitting down to lunch.
There was a short talk by Neville de Rougemont focussing on the recent jump in numbers of new clients seeking Golden Visas through the purchase of property in Portugal. Chinese buyers are leading the field, and all have bought houses rather than going for the option of setting up a business and employing ten workers, which was never destined to be a game changer.
There are four such networking events each year which, according to the Chamber’s vice-chairman Simon Perks, gives enough of a space between each to keep its busy members keen to show up, which they certainly were. The lunches are a small but important part of the range of events over the year. Many are in London but the events in Portugal benefit from a keen local membership, ready and willing to expand their range of contacts.
The next event run the Chamber in the Algarve is to be held at the fabulous Conrad Hilton. The Chamber’s Annual Gala Dinner chose the Conrad for the obvious reason that it is clearly the most luxurious hotel in the Algarve, and in its first year of operation has fulfilled its promise of de-luxe, discression and friendliness.
For information on the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, see www.portuguese-chamber.org.uk
