The Professional Beauty Federation staged its 15th annual Welcome to Our World event in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 28. WTOW creates a mini-salon/spa-like atmosphere on Capitol Hill during which members of the professional beauty industry provide services to Members of Congress and their staffs. The purpose of the event is to educate Members of Congress about the power and influence of the $48 billion salon industry.*
The PBF is a non-profit coalition of businesses and associations working together to advance the interests of America’s professional beauty industry. WTOW provides an opportunity for PBF members to speak directly to Members of Congress about the professional industry’s key issues, including modernizing the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) cosmetic laws, access to cosmetology education and financial aid, equitable taxation and small business support.
“Welcome to Our World was attended by approximately 500 Capitol Hill staffers who received complimentary haircuts and/or manicures in the Cannon Office Building Caucus Room,” said Gordon Logan, ISBN Government Relations Advocate. “Stylists from Great Clips, jcPenny and Hair Cuttery (all ISBN members) were in attendance, and there were a lot of happy ‘Clients.’ Leave-behind flyers highlighted the economic impact of our industry and the opportunities provided women and minorities well in excess of the norm for other industries. The industry comes together each year to sponsor WTOW under the Professional Beauty Foundation, which includes PBA, AACS, ISBN, ISPA, jcPenny, OPI, and Sexy Hair.”
PBF Membership includes the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, the International SalonSpa Business Network, International Spa Association, the Professional Beauty Association and the Personal Care Products Council. Supporting members include jcpSalon, OPI and Sexy Hair.
“The Professional Beauty Federation was pleased to be back on Capitol Hill to educate Members of Congress about the economic impact of the professional beauty industry. With close to $86 billion in annual sales, the professional beauty industry remains a steady and significant contributor to the U.S. economy. Additionally, Welcome to Our World allows us the opportunity to speak directly to members about important issues such as student funding, tax reform and FDA reform for personal care product manufacturers. This event provides us the opportunity to share our successes as well as our concerns with Members of Congress” said Eric Schwartz, PBF President and OPI Products, Inc. Senior Vice President.
More than 100 professional beauty industry volunteers supported this event by donating their time and services. Industry partners such as OPI, John Paul Mitchell Systems, Orly, Sexy Hair, Fullips, Fromm, Make My Day Beautiful!, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, Alexandria Professional, Joe Grooming and Mary Kay donated products to support the event.
