It is well known that to keep ahead in business, as well as keeping your concentration on your day-to-day affairs, you have to keep an eye on matters a few months down the line. Perhaps this explains why I had my first invitation to a Christmas lunch drop on my desk last month!
As much as your thoughts will be turning towards the festive season, it won't do any harm to look ahead and into 2008.
January 17 will see the return of Wine+, the UK's only on-trade focused wine show. While May's London Wine & Spirit Fair is the bigger affair, this is the one trade show that looks solely at the restaurant and pub sectors - which makes it a must-attend event.
So while your customers are still nursing their Christmas hangovers, a mid-January trip to the National Hall at London's Olympia will be well worth your while.
In the coming weeks I shall look in more detail at the kind of things that will take place at the show and examine why a show like this could help you improve your wine offer.
The 2008 event will showcase some 90 exhibitors, from major suppliers to small independents and generics.
There is a comprehensive seminar schedule with tutored tastings and business-focused presentations.
Plus there are Taste Zones, where visitors can sample wines without sales pressure. Those exhibiting include generic organisations such as Wines of Chile, New Zealand Winegrowers, Wine Institute of California, ViniPortugal and Wines of Australia.
Added to this there is the French Wines Discovery Lounge, which will showcase wines selected by wine experts and provide an area to meet colleagues or network.
What's in it for licensees?
As well as the opportunity to speak one-on-one with suppliers, either companies you already deal with, or ones you are interested in using, there will be a number of pub-specific live presentations. The Publican itself will be hosting two major seminars over the two days - sessions specifically designed to give licensees some ideas and advice on how to improve their wine offer.
Food and wine matching
This will be a strong theme at Wine+ 2008, with tasting events hosted by popular figures including Patricia Michelson of London cheese shop brand La Fromagerie and Vivek Singh from Michelin-starred Indian restaurant the Cinnamon Club. Wine luminaries such as John Radford and Nicolas Clerc, the 2007 UK Sommelier of the Year, will also host food and wine pairing sessions in the Live Theatre.
Gerard Basset
Returning for a second year due to popular demand will be Britain's most esteemed sommelier and hotelier, Gerard Basset MW, who will talk about his career in wine and life after Hotel du Vin.
New for 2008
Added to the list of wines will be selected spirits and water brands. Visitor research at the inaugural Wine+ clearly demonstrated that visitors wanted to see premium spirits and other relevant brands. San Pellegrino (Nestlé Waters), Fiji Water, Eaux de Vie and J Wray & Nephew will be among the first to show their products alongside wines.
For more details and to register free go to the Wine plus website