Sally Walker
Ambassador Co-ordinator
North East

As is the norm, the North East Panel was the first to meet in the country. This year we have a judge from the Yorkshire panel joining us to add to our mix of those representing the North East and we have a brand new judge to keep us on our toes!

This year in the North East we received a healthy 28 entries getting through to the first panel which coincidentally is the same as last year, but given the current climate is a healthy number. This is particularly good given that the number of entries was quite low but this means the calibre is quite high

Part of the process is to score and decide as a panel which of the entries should have a verification visit, where we check out what has been said in the entry to make sure it can be substantiated. We speak to some of the people who have been trained as well as the endorser of the entry.

The judges, I am sure will agree with me, that this makes for the most exciting part of the process and all visits have now been made. 

On the 20th of July, we will meet again to decide which of our entries deserve regional commendation and which should be put through for a national award. Never an easy job, but with all the experience around the table I am sure we will make some sensible and worthy decisions.

Our regional ceremony is at a different venue this year and will be at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle on the 21st September, and this is where our regional winners will be announced and celebrations will begin.

And so onto next year…… we are going to be running some information sessions for possible entrants for the 2011 NTA’s. If you have a venue you could offer which will hold around 30 or so people, we would be really pleased to hear from you! We are looking to run the information sessions between 1st February and 31st March next year but would like to secure bookings for venues (free of charge where-ever possible) as soon as possible to get things moving. You can always take the opportunity to promote your business should you wish to, to our audiences; we’ll scratch your back if you scratch ours! We are advocates of the win-win!!

We look forward to talking with you soon