03 October 2022
Deganwy, Aberconwy – Mica held its 11th Annual Mica Exchange at the Quay Hotel, Deganwy on Sunday 25th September with main event sponsor supplier for 2022 Smart Garden.
Mica was pleased to bring the event back to Wales for the second time, and North Wales for the first time this weekend. The Mica Exchange, a gathering of its membership and supplier base including speed dating networking event and Gala Dinner & Awards evening.
The event featured other big name suppliers including Akzo Nobel, Rug Doctor, RKW, Sherwin Williams & Stax Trade Centres. The big winners at the evening annual Mica Awards were Rustins, who took home the prestigious Mica Supplier of the Year award as voted for by the Co-operative’s membership.
Business Unit Director of Mica, Michael Ball commented, “After last year’s event when there was a huge amount of goodwill for the event simply being able to take place as others continued to be postponed, this year has felt like a return to normal.
We’re delighted to have had such a good turnout, with supplier places as is often the case oversubscribed. The feedback from both members and suppliers that attended has been exceptional, so we’re confident in-person events; time spent together; still has a place at the heart of our business post covid.”
These sentiments were reflected in overall feedback from all members and suppliers, with both rating the event on average between 9 & 10/10.
Asked for their specific thoughts on the event, said Mr. Ashley Roper (Key Account Manager, Harris Orkla) said he found it “a great day meeting new and familiar faces”
Assistant Manager at Sawston Mica Hardware in Cambridgeshire, Falina Hammond; who’s store later went on to receive the New Member of the Year Award; drew a metaphor in her thoughts on the speed dating meetings. “Interior design is making the best possible use of the available space.”
Whilst owner of Smethwick Mica Ranjit Singh Kundi added he was “very pleased with all the supplier meetings” he’d had during the day.
HG Account Manager Robert Naylor, who later picked up the Promotional Supplier of the Year Award, noted at the end of the Supplier Exchange that it had been “a great way to meet Mica members and create great relationships”.
Other winners at the Mica Awards included Stax Trade Centres, Akzo Nobel, and Member Awards for David Neill Mica, Saundersons Mica Hardware, and a retiring member of staff from Merlin Mica picked up the prestigious Cooperative Spirit Award, given for exceptional service/support to the group.
Over £750 (before gift aid) was raised by the attendees of the event in a raffle held in aid of the Rainy Day Trust, with prizes for the raffle donated by many of the suppliers attending including £250 of stock from Draper Tools, won by Nibletts Mica Hardware.
Mica is a Co-operative of independent retailers, working together under the Mica brand to promote themselves, share ideas and buy together to maximise their profitability and compete against the larger mult-inationals. You can find out more by visiting www.micahardware.co.uk
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