It’s all about judging this month as we have been invited, firstly, to be on the panel for the Lancashire Tourism Awards and secondly we launched our very own Christmas design competition at UCLan (University of Central Lancashire).

Last week our Creative Director spent a day at the Marketing Lancashire offices in Leyland with three other industry experts Lorainne, Ian and Craig. Judging for two awards; Retail Experience and Small Visitor Attraction with results to be announced on 7th November during a prestigious ceremony.

It was so hard deciding on a winner for our two categories as the standard was excellent. As a panellist, it was a real honour to meet such great businesses who are making a huge contribution to the Northwest economy and giving visitors and customers such a memorable experience too.

It was strange for us to find ourselves on the interviewer side of the table. We had great empathy for everyone who presented as we know how much effort goes into preparing for a competitive interview having been shortlisted for many public sector bids ourselves.

In fact it’s going to be a month of playing judge as we have launched our very own Christmas Cards competition. We mentioned it last week in our Refit Rethink post and we are so excited to see the student’s ideas when we go to UCLan in Preston next week.

We know at least some of the students are enjoying the early Christmas indulgence as they have been tweeting us.

Starting my competition brief… XMAS RESEARCH IS MAKING ME GIDDY!! 🎄🎅 @babeswhodesign pic.twitter.com/DBuhDvK3Ds

— Lee Mac ⚠ (@mac_lee) October 17, 2013

So, if you had to be a judge how would you play it? Are you an Apprentice style Alan Sugar judge? Or a Dragon judge like Deborah Meaden?