CITD Initiative Helps California-based Beauty Brands

As part of an export initiative, the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) in Long Beach has been selecting California-based beauty brands to join its 2013 California: A State of Beauty Pavilions at both Cosmoprof Bologna and the new Beauty World of Dubai. The concept builds upon the initial success of its launch at Cosmoprof Bologna in March 2012, which saw 11 participants who have generated more than $13 million in export sales, entered 27 district markets and created 54 jobs in the nine months since the event. The organization selects small and medium-sized brands that have the ability to succeed overseas and assists them with the costs of exhibition. At press time, the list of companies chosen reached 29. CITD has also partnered with other organizations to provide support with export compliance and buyer matchmaking. Funding for the trade missions is enabled by the State Trade Export Promotion grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of President Obama’s National Export Initiative. For more information, visit www.californiastateofbeauty.com. —K.H.