For the sixth year in a row, the Professional Beauty Federation (PBF) hosted more than 800 legislators and their key staffers at Welcome to Our World, an educational event that communicates the professional beauty industry's messages to Capitol Hill. "This annual event brings an entire $60 billion industry to Capitol Hill in just one night," said Eric Schwartz, president of the Professional Beauty Federation. "Our message is that the entire industry stands united in asking for support of such important issues as tax fairness to salons and access to education for the talented individuals who seek careers in cosmetology." PBF members also provided haircuts, mini manicures and facials and chair massages as examples of the services they perform in every district across the country.
 Congressman Donald Payne gets a trim from Mary Louise Riser |
"A career in cosmetology can change people's lives," said Mez Varol, president of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools. "It offers excellent pay and benefits, artistic and business career paths and flexible work hours. But most important, there are tens of thousands of job openings awaiting our graduates. We need Congress to remove the obstacles that have been placed unfairly between our students and their dreams."
Adds Ron Provenzano, president of the International Chain Salon Association, "As employers, we need Congress to provide access to higher education for these individuals now."
 TOP RIGHT: Stylist Andre Chreky; CENTER: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson(right) enjoys a manicure; BELOW RIGHT: The JCPenny Salons team; TOP LEFT: American Association of Cosmetology Schools; Anthony Fragomeni; BELOW LEFT: Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (second from left) with Frank Schoeneman, Cherise Pinkney, Janice Dorian and Sal Pappacoda |
Companies supporting Welcome to Our World included Action Bag, DermaNew Professional MicroDermabrasion, Farouk Systems, Helen of Troy, Kenra, L'Oréal Professionnel, The Marilyn Hairbrush, Matrix, Nioxin Research Laboratories, OPI Products Inc., Paul Brown Hawaii, Redken 5th Avenue, Sally Beauty Company, Sebastian International, Spilo Worldwide, Wella and Zotos.