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Twenty-first century Lisbon has fully emerged from the doldrums and being part of the European Monetary Union has strengthened Portugal's trading bonds with the other European countries. Today Portugal conducts almost half the country’s trade with Spain, the UK, Germany and France. Lisbon has four main convention centres:
The Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) is located at the former Expo 98 site, and is Lisbon’s largest exhibition and conference centre, with three auditoria for 500 people each, four meeting rooms and four exhibition halls with 10,200 sq. m of space. Parque das Nações, Rua do Bojador, Tel: 218 921 500, www.fil.pt.
Close to FIL at Parque das Nações, the state-of-the-art Pavilhão Atlântico offers multipurpose auditoriums, meeting rooms and exhibition halls that can be adapted to the specific requirements of the event organiser. Rossio dos Olivais. Tel: 21 891 8409.
The Centro de Congressos de Lisboa has six auditoria for a maximum of 1,500 people, meeting rooms and five exhibition halls (largest is 3,500 sq. m). Praça das Indústrias. Tel: 218 921720.
The Centro Cultural de Belém has a modern leisure, cultural and conference centre not far from the Centro dos Congressos and purpose-built as the venue for Portugal’s first EU Presidency in 1992. It consists of two auditoria, with 1,400 and 350 seats respectively. Praça do Império. Tel: 21 361 2697.
Doing business in Lisbon is far less bureaucratic than it used to be and English is widely and well spoken in business circles. Appointments usually start on time but stretch on for longer than anticipated, often over long lunches. Shaking hands is customary, and don’t be surprised if someone of the opposite sex gives you a kiss on each cheek when meeting and taking leave. Business cards are exchanged after introduction. When addressing someone you should try to use their title, especially if they have one such as Dr, which translates as Doctor (often, although strictly incorrectly, used for anyone with a university degree). Mr translates as Senhor and both Mrs and Ms translate as Senhora. Business suits are standard for both men and women and it is advisable to enquire whether the same attire should be worn for social functions. In Portugal it is considered rude to write anything official in red ink. Normal business hours are Monday to Friday 09:00 - 18:00.
Many of Lisbon’s hotels, and especially those in the higher segments, have excellent facilities geared specifically to business stays and gatherings such as meetings, presentations and conferences. Click here to find out more.
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