The next few months will be event-filled for promoters, with the National Incentive Show kicking off proceedings later this month (see NIS Preview, in this issue).

It's followed in October by two new events: the Promotions & Incentives Forum (more of which later) and a European version of the L.A. RoadShow.

The RoadShow has been successful in the US and is viewed by studios' marketing bosses as the must-attend event for movie, music and TV executives to meet marketers (Licensing, p15).

It's an interesting idea: a one-stop shop for marketers to find out what the major studios are putting out for 2005 and early 2006. Opportunities are clocked, deals done and everyone goes home happy. But in the UK we sometimes tend to keep whatever is new at arm's length, and a few here have reservations.

In the cold light of day, these are partly to do with arrogance and partly with fatigue. From the few, there's a sense of 'oh no, not another thing I should go to' rather than the curiosity you'd expect.

And although this closed mindset is only evident in a few, it is disappointing, not just because P&I and our sister title Marketing are official media partners, but also because - to use a cliche - we all know that to stand still is to move backwards. None of us can afford to close the door on fresh avenues without good reason. Hopefully, the weariness will be shrugged off as people get back from holiday, refreshed and ready to go and discover new ideas at events including the Roadshow, NIS, the Brand Licensing Show and, of course, P&I's inaugural Forum.

It takes place on 7-8 October and has already generated a long list of blue-chip delegates, including Scottish Courage, Unilever Bestfoods, BP/Castrol and Buena Vista. For information, call Zoe Bedford on 020 8267 4042.