Not long after we started posting news and thoughts about the industry, Happi started building a following—dare I say, community—online. Take some time out from reading this issue to sign up for the service.You can do it easily from our website, www.Happi.com. Just look for the tiny LinkedIn and Twitter logos in the upper right corner on our home page. Joining both will give you the opportunity to interact with industry professionals just like you. Membership may even help you solve a problem involving formulas or packaging with some assistance from other members in the group. At the same time, it will keep you connected to friends and colleagues in the industry—something that’s not always easy to do when everybody is chained to their desks these days.

If you had asked me a few years ago—make that a few months ago—about the value of these online communities, I would have scoffed. But after going to so many conferences and events with poor attendance, it’s clear that there is a place in cyberspace where industry executives can stay connected to one another and discuss the issues that are important to them.

Of course, reading Happi helps keep you connected too! This month, take the time to read our coverage on the color cosmetics market, L’Oréal’s centennial and The International Top 30, our annual look at the leading companies with headquarters outside the U.S..

We hope you enjoy Happi.com, and we hope you’ll join us as we expand our presence on the internet through social media and other initiatives that will unfold in the coming months.

As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions.