Romancing on the road.

It's Monte Carlo, Baden-Baden and Washington, D.C., not Singapore, Zanzibar or Morocco, but the trip is a courting ritual just the same with reinsurers out to win insurers as Bob and Bing were out to win Dorothy.

The first steps in forming relationships that will culminate in January renewals take place at the RendezVous de Septembre in Monte Carlo. As in any courtship, these first meetings are mainly for the participants to get to know each other. In Baden-Baden and Washington, however, expectations and commitments become more serious. "Road to Renewal" (page 20) examines the three stops along the way and what is expected to happen at each." Peering Over the Precipice" (page 26) takes a closer look at some of the issues reinsurers will be dealing with both before and after renewals.

Dorothy Lamour once described what it was like to work with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in the "Road" pictures: "I felt like a wonderful sandwich, a slice of white bread between two slices of ham," she said.

For insurers working with reinsurers, the squeeze is likely to be between how high are the prices and will the reinsurer be around to pay.

Recognition of Excellence

Best's Review has been honored with four Awards of Excellence from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. In the 2003 competition, which involved more than 2,450 entries from some of the country's top business publications, Best's Review won a Bronze Award at the national level and three Silver Awards in the Northeastern Region. The specific awards are as follows:

* Bronze Award for information graphics in the November 2003 issue;

* Silver Award for news section: "Briefing" in the May 2003 issue;

* Silver Award for news article: "Epidemic Proportions" by Lori Chordas in the July 2003 issue; and

* Silver Award for front cover illustration of "Food Fright": the August 2003 cover by William Waggoner.

Sally Whitney is editor. You may reach her at (908) 4392200, Ext. 5340, by writing to A.M. Best Co., Ambest Road, Oldwick, NJ 08858, or by e-mail at [e-mail]. The e-mail address for Best's Review is [e-mail].