The Mica co-operative of independent retailers recently celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Mica Exchange weekend in Jersey.

Retailers and suppliers came together for a mix of business building, networking and awards recognising excellence in their trading. In light of Mica's anniverary, the event was held at the Radisson Blu Waterfron Hotel in St Hellier, Jersey.

The weekend featured all the usual aspects of Mica's conference including a private members' dinner, the Mica AGM, a supplier 'slow speed dating' exchange and the Gala dinner and awards ceremony.

Included in the AGM were several board appointments, the 2015 and half year appoints and a talk from ceo Michael Ball about business developments. Guest speaker from Henkel Paul Bagnall also presented the outcomes of the Hand it Over to Henkel partnership with Kennedy's Mica Hardware, which showed double digit growth in resultant sales.

Big names including Akzo Nobel, Calor, Crown Paints, Draper, LG Harrie, RKW, Rustins, Sherwin Williams and Stax Trade Centres (sponsors for the main event this year) all turned up in force for the Mica Exchange with retailers. Feedback was excellent, with each supplier rating it as either good or excellent and almost all voicing an inclination to return next year.

RBA's Jon Dixon said: "An excellent opportunity to see lots of our existing customers in one room and a great chance to engage with those Mica members not currently using our system.”

Added Alan Avery of Akzo Nobel, who also sponsored the 2016 Mica Member Awards enthused, “Great opportunity to meet members for the first time, to strengthen existing relationships and build on new opportunities “

Kevin Brownhill of Sherwin Williams, one of the many returning suppliers in 2016 kept it simple, “As always excellent event, well attended, great people!”

Retailers were also positive about the event, almost universally saying they’d be back in 2017.