Investment volume should remain in line with that recorded in 2023 |

With a focus on current issues in the sector, SIL will feature a set of initiatives around the issues of public housing policies and the role of local authorities, as well as, on the part of investors, new trends in construction, sustainability and AI. With a majority presence of promoters and mediators, Sérgio Runa also highlights the technologies associated with real estate

In what is the first Portuguese Real Estate Show (SIL) under your management, what challenges and expectations do you have for this edition?
I face this challenge that was thrown at me by FIL’s management naturally, as it is a project that I have been linked to since 2019 and for which I have great personal affection and professional ambition. Being able to do more and better in the next editions, valuing the history and delivering more value to the exhibitors participating in SIL, is my priority objective, which is shared by the entire team at the Salão Líder do Imobiliário em Portugal.
As in the previous year, we are experiencing a delicate geopolitical situation, with two conflicts and some economic and legislative instability in Portugal. However, after the political uncertainty and elections, do you consider that the market has responded differently or more confidently? Will these be questions that will mark another edition of SIL?
Events are, as a rule, barometers for the sectors and the SIL is a reflection of the state of the real estate sector and will always be influenced by macro-economic developments, a result of the national and international situation.
The geopolitical moment and all the consequences that arise from it cannot leave us indifferent, just as the instability of interest rates can influence the decision to purchase property. Of course, there are challenges, such as the lack of affordable housing, which will take time to resolve, and we hope that new housing policies will emerge to fill this lack.
Despite internal and global instability, we see that the sector is united and extremely resilient. Proof of this is that the 2024 edition of SIL has confirmed the presence of around 90% of the companies that participated in the previous edition, including the main real estate developers and brokers, with around 10% having increased their exhibition area.

Taking into account that one of the strong points of the fair are the SIL conferences, what topics will be covered and which ones stand out?
Once again, SIL will be the stage for debate on topics of great importance and current affairs for the Real Estate sector.
Thus, on the 2nd of May, the CNN Summit Conference – Portugal Habita will take place, whose main focus will be on National Housing Policies, Urban Rehabilitation, the Future of the Real Estate Market and Public Housing Policies – with the Role of Local Authorities, with the participation of mayors responsible for managing the country’s main cities.
On May 3rd, the SIL Investment PRO Conferences will take place, organized in collaboration with SIL’s strategic partner, APPII, where topics such as Artificial Intelligence at the Service of Real Estate and New Construction Techniques, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency will be addressed .
In any case, the agenda is available on the event website and there will certainly be other initiatives from the exhibitors themselves that will be of interest to visitors.

What is the invited country and the region highlighted, as well as the initiatives planned in this context?
SIL 2024 opens the Conferences with a focus on National Housing Policies and Public Housing Policies – with the Role of Local Authorities, as I have already mentioned. Mayors responsible for managing the country’s main cities, such as Lisbon, Cascais, Porto, Sintra and Oeiras, will participate in this conference.
We are placing a strong bet on SIL Cidades, with SIL being a catalyst for the real estate sector in cities and a fundamental pillar for attracting investment and development, both economic and social, in urban areas. In this edition we have confirmed the presence of the large metropolises of Porto and Lisbon, but also cities such as Seixal, Vila Nova de Gaia or Santarém and the Autonomous Region of Madeira, through Invest Madeira.
Within the scope of the exhibition, which sectors are highlighted due to their representation?
This year we once again have the participation of the main developers and real estate agents, with 10% of these participants increasing their exhibition area, which reflects the appreciation of investment in the Show.
SIL will also feature a group of exhibitors participating for the first time, highlighting the growth of fundamental areas for the sector, such as technologies associated with real estate – Proptech.

What is the expected number of companies present? Is there a growth or a decline in attendance?
The trend is for growth, in the 27th edition of SIL, which is taking place once again, simultaneously with Tektónica, we estimate a number of over 25 thousand visitors. There will be around 210 exhibitors and more than four thousand delegates.

In some way, the real estate sector is one of those that has benefited most from new technologies, allowing much more interactive work both on the part of mediators and those who promote. How does the fair have to keep up with this evolution and simultaneously maintain its attractiveness as a business space?
SIL is the meeting point for Investors, Businesspeople, Technicians, Public Bodies and potential buyers. It is a fact that new technologies make the daily lives of professionals easier and SIL has followed the growth trend of technologies associated with real estate – Proptech. A wide range of services facilitate processes, but I am convinced that they do not replace direct contact and the need that professionals feel in coming to SIL to contact the main players in the market.

Regarding the awards, what can we expect, both in terms of finalists and news?
We expect a well-attended 15th edition of the SIL Real Estate Awards. More than 40 applications were received and the winners will be announced on the first day of SIL.
The categories to consider are – Sustainable Construction, Best Real Estate Development and Urban Rehabilitation, Best Launch Campaign, Social Responsibility, Innovation. The SIL Real Estate Awards are one of the highlights of the Exhibition, as they distinguish projects and personalities that stand out for their excellence in the real estate sector and the work carried out.

In addition to holding fairs in the real estate sector in Portugal, the AIP Foundation has a strong commitment to promoting abroad through the presence and holding of fairs. What is planned in this regard?
In the past, we carried out initiatives in markets such as China, Brazil, France, among others, however, currently, the AIP Foundation does not plan to organize events to promote the sector abroad. However, taking into account the dynamism of this market, we are always available to evaluate this possibility with sector players.