Washington DC
Is Getting Beautified
Wednesday Oct. 14
Salon City Magazine Reports the News.
Beauty Pros Deliver Message to
Capitol Hill During PBF's 10th Annual
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The 10th Annual Welcome to Our World, the Professional Beauty Federation's (PBF) very cool Capitol Hill event, takes place Wednesday, October 14, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm in Washington, DC.
Welcome to Our World has become the most popular event on Capitol Hill, because of the unique way it combines learning with a fun and rewarding event for all.
More than 100 volunteer representatives from independent and chain salons, day spas, cosmetology schools, beauty product manufacturers, distributors and the industry's associations from around the country converge on the Capitol to share an evening with members of Congress, professional staff and those interested in learning more about a committed group of individuals representing a dynamic industry. With complimentary haircuts, mini-manicures, makeup application and neck-and-shoulder massages, guests get to personally experience the skills and services of the country's professional beauty industry, while learning more about the issues important to our industry.
Two issues of immediate importance are fairness in taxation and access to cosmetology education. H.R. 3724, the Small Business Tax Equalization and Compliance Act, would make it possible for salon owners to claim a tax credit for the FICA taxes they must now pay on their employees' tips, a benefit that restaurant owners already receive. The legislation will also improve income reporting within the industry.
In regard to education, the PBF supports recent Congressional efforts to promote and expand access to postsecondary education and enhance students' ability to choose the type of educational program that best meets their own individual, professional career & employment goals. In a $60 billion a year industry where job market demand for qualified applicants exceeds supply by more than three-to-one, it is vitally important to the PBF that Congress preserve a student's ability to enroll in a cosmetology institutions of higher education, receive the benefits of a quality postsecondary education, and are prepared to enter the ranks of our professional workforce.
"This important event brings an entire $60 billion industry to Capitol Hill in just one day," explains Eric Schwartz, president of the PBF. "It provides the perfect forum for our legislators to learn about important small-business and education issues that affect millions of their constituents, while they enjoy the services that are performed by 1.6 million licensed professionals hundreds of times a day in hundreds of salons in each of their districts."
Founded in 1999, the PBF represents the political interests of the Professional Beauty Industry. Members include the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), the International Salon/Spa Business Network (ISBN), the Professional Beauty Association (PBA), OPI Products, Inc., JCPenney Salons and Regis Corporation.
The PBF represents 27,000 independent and chain salons, which employ 270,000 licensed beauty professionals, who see more than 400 million client visits per year. PBF membership also includes 1,200 cosmetology schools, 80,000 cosmetology students, 400 product distributors and 700 manufacturers of products used and sold in professional salons. Visit www.probeautyfederation.org.