Shop at Makro, courtesy of afpop

AFPOP, PORTUGAL'S largest foreign residents association, will be holding its first two road shows on Sunday, December 7, and Sunday, December 14 at the Makro store in Guia.

The events, which will be rolled out across the Algarve and hopefully further afield throughout 2009, will be used to introduce the association to the communities and also give existing members an opportunity to meet with the afpop staff and council members in a relaxed, informal setting.

Michael Reeve, afpop’s CEO, said: “One of the things we have been wanting to do for some time now is to take the office ‘on the road’ so to speak and get out into communities to meet with members there and to introduce the association to those who have either never heard of afpop, or who have heard but don’t know exactly what we do.

“Until now we have been pursuing other strategic initiatives but in 2009 our intention is to raise the profile of the association in particular communities and introduce ourselves face-to-face to as many people as possible.

“When we approached Makro about using their store at Guia for two trial road shows this year, the manager, Sr. Fernando Ruas, was very enthusiastic about the idea and Makro is offering a day pass for anyone who visits the Road Show on those dates, so that they can enter the store and enjoy the opportunity to do some of their Christmas shopping.”

Shopping at Makro is normally only available to trade people but on the two road show days, anyone who visits and speaks to the afpop staff, whether existing members or not, will be given a day pass to use, on that day, in Makro.

Exclusive discounts

“We are extremely grateful to Sr. Ruas and his staff for their support and generosity in helping to present afpop’s inaugural road shows,” Michael Reeve said. “We look forward to seeing people there, talking to existing members and meeting people who do not know what we do and how we can help them. Whether it is to benefit from our Information Services, enjoy the exclusive discounts available to members, join in with the social events organised by our team of organisers or a mixture of all three.”

The road shows will be held between 10am and 2pm but the store is open until 8pm each day.

Watch this space for dates and venues of future road shows by afpop.

Those people who will not be able to visit the Road Shows at Makro and who would like to know more about the benefits of afpop membership can contact the afpop office by telephoning 282 458 509, emailing info@afpop.com or visiting the association’s website www.afpop.com