NEWS EXTRA
MICA EXCHANGE WEEKEND BUILDS BUSINESS IN ANCIENT SURROUNDS
Held this year on the historic Wroxall Abbey estate, Mica’s annual Exchange event and awards dinner proved a winning formula once again, bringing members and suppliers together.
T
he independent retailer cooperative gathered together shop owners with key account managers in
the ancient country seat of Sir Christopher Wren last month, mixing its ‘slow speed dating’ meeting format together with entertainment, the company’s AGM and Member Forum, and celebrating success with its annual Mica Member & Supplier Awards. After a walk across to the nearby National Trust property Baddersley Clinton, members and Mica staff gathered for a private dinner on Saturday, September 23, which acted as an official opener for the Exchange weekend. Proceedings were opened by Mica chairman and local store owner David Morris who welcomed new attendees for 2017 and returning friends and colleagues. On Sunday, retailers and Mica suppliers came together for pre- booked appointment slots in the garden marquee on the hotel, next to Christopher Wren’s 16th century cathedral on site for the Supplier Exchange. From speaking to suppliers who attended, they seem to enjoy the format and value the face-to-face contact with Mica
retailers and the chance to get all- important feedback. Newsome Tools MD Martin Newsome said it provided his company with a platform from which to present to both new and existing customers. “Feedback from the members we saw has been extremely positive and the firm orders are an excellent bonus,” he said. Paul Murney, managing director of Murpak, which was named Mica Supplier of the Year at the awards dinner on the Sunday evening, added that the Exchange benefited from “a nice venue, relaxed atmosphere and superb format,” and that he saw it as “an ideal way to do business.” Mica told DIY Week that post-event feedback saw the Exchange rated by suppliers overall as excellent, “with an almost universal feeling of the desire to attend again in 2018”. Rodo national field sales manager
Jeremy Ireland-Jones summed up his take on this year’s event: “Set within a superb venue right in the middle of the country, this year’s Mica Exchange was a great success. Mica has clearly structured and organised themselves to work as a team while partnering suppliers to ensure it’s a two-way relationship…a great event.”
Encouragingly, Mica members in attendance were equally positive, rating the event as good or excellent, and said they were very pleased with the approach of attending suppliers, with Murpak and FPS being highlighted for particular praise.
In a follow-up after the event, Merlin Mica’s Caryl Mutimer said she had an enjoyable weekend, adding that it was “informative and nice to meet up with other Mica retailers again, catching up and hearing their news.”
Jenny Robinson, manager of the Royston Merlin Mica store, said it was her first Mica Exchange and that she found it “really useful and enjoyable”.
In the evening, members
gathered for the black-tie Gala Dinner and Awards in the main hall of the Abbey, enjoying a drinks reception and four-course meal. Main event sponsor RKW
provided each guest with their own Tower Spiralizer, which certainly made for a talking point at the start of the evening.
Mica CEO Michael Ball played host to guests for the fun evening event which included after-dinner games and a prize draw in aid of The Rainy Day Trust, followed by the all-important Mica Awards – the
8 DIY WEEK 13 OCTOBER 2017
winners of which were revealed in our last issue. Mica was delighted to announce that the prize draw raised £900 for the industry charity (around £1,100 once Gift Aid has been included) – a record amount for the Mica event.
Prizes supplied by a range of companies helped to boost the donations, including the synonymous giant Dulux Dog which was won by Becki Hidgcock of David Neill Mica.
On the Monday morning Mica held its annual AGM with updates from Steve and Michael Ball on the company’s progress.
This was followed up with a
round table forum where members discussed a range of issues dealing with marketing, suppliers, in-store assistance and digital developments. After the event Michael Ball thanked sponsors and everyone who attended, as well as congratulating award winners.
He added: “Our trade show weekend is still pretty unique in our industry and personally I find it’s a great opportunity to learn and share information when retailers and businesses from all parts of the UK come together like this. “Plans are already well underway for 2018 (and 2019) so we’re already looking forward to next year!”
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