Leading Spas of Canada Launches Quality Assurance Program for Spa Safety

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 10, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Leading Spas of Canada has just launched a new Quality Assurance Program created to provide consistent safety and hygiene standards for the spa industry, thereby offering reassurance and uncompromising quality for spa guests.

Since 1998, Leading Spas of Canada (LSC) has served as Canada’s only national spa association, setting rigorous standards of safety, hygiene and service. For the past decade, these standards were supported through voluntary adherence by all member spas. The new Quality Assurance program will now include on-site assessments by third-party evaluators to ensure all requirements are met or exceeded.

The pilot program has now begun with spas from across the country participating. Assessments are being conducted based on extensive criteria developed by the LSC Standards and Practices Committee. Upon completing the assessment and meeting or exceeding all standards, the spa will receive a certificate and seal of approval for display on-site and in marketing materials, recognizing their Quality Assurance status.

“It’s important to note the Quality Assurance verification process culminates in a pass/fail situation”, advises Wanda Love, CEO, Leading Spas of Canada. “Spa offerings and amenities vary dramatically and at the heart of this program is not to measure the value of amenities or size of the spa, but the desire to ensure all spas meet essential safety, hygiene and operational standards, offering confidence and comfort to the spa management, employees and the guest”.

“Our LSC spas are proud of their level of standards and commitment to safety and hygiene practices. The new Quality Assurance Program helps distinguish them for their excellence and provides spa-goers the opportunity to visit one of our member spas with utter confidence”, says Donna Holtom, President of Leading Spas of Canada. “The recent spate of stories in the media regarding lack of hygiene standards in some spas compelled LSC to further assist in educating consumers on how to find a reputable spa; a spa where their health and safety would not be compromised. And we’re proud to see how the Leading Spas of Canada membership has embraced this commitment to the highest standards and practices for safety and hygiene”, Holtom notes.

One of the spas participating in the Quality Assurance Pilot Project is Phoenix Renewal Centre & Spa in Edmonton, AB. “Our clinic is proud to be a member of the Leading Spas of Canada pilot program for Quality Assurance and we fiercely support the initiative of inspections to examine the best practices and regimented standards that this initiative will supply”, says Spa Director, Crystal Armstrong. “It is our passion to excel in the industry – it is our duty to protect the public. This Quality Assurance program will ensure that our business does both for years to come”, continues Armstrong. Diane Sparrow, owner of Riverstone Spa at The Forks in Winnipeg believes, “This program will increase public confidence which is a very significant factor to ensuring the continued success of the spa operation. We are positioning ourselves as world leaders in standards development within the industry and what a terrific marketing tool for all spa owners!”.

Once the pilot program has been completed later this year, the program will become available to all Leading Spas of Canada members for 2010.

The spas generously participating in the 2009 Quality Assurance Pilot Program include:
· 100 Fountain Spa, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
· Ambiance Day Spa, Saint John, NB
· Amerispa – Chateau Bonne Entente, Quebec City, QC
· Amerispa – Sheraton Laval, Laval, QC
· Amerispa – Fairmont Tremblant, Mont-Tremblant, QC
· Au Naturel Spa at Brookstreet, Ottawa, ON
· Essence of Life Spa, Brentwood Bay, BC
· Fayez Spa, London, ON
· Haven Spa at Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, Sidney, BC
· Holtz Spa, Ottawa, ON
· Phoenix Renewal Centre & Spa, Edmonton, AB
· Riverstone Spa, Winnipeg, MB
· Rosewater Spa of Oakville, Oakville, ON
· Santé Spa Bear Mountain, Victoria, BC
· Santé Spa Calgary, Calgary, AB
· Secret Garden Spa at The Prince of Wales, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
· Shear Elegance Salon & Spa, London, ON
· Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, Moose Jaw, SK
· Ten Spa, Winnipeg, MB
· The Grotto Spa at Tigh-na-Mara, Parksville, BC

· The Spa Ritual, Calgary, AB
· Vida Wellness Spa, Wall Centre, Vancouver, BC
· Wakefield Mill Inn & Spa, Wakefield, QC

For more information about Leading Spas of Canada and the Quality Assurance Program, contact:

Wanda Love
C.E.O., Leading Spas of Canada
wanda@leadingspasofcanada.com 604.662.3411

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About Leading Spas of Canada
As Canada’s national spa organization, Leading Spas of Canada (LSC) provides support for the development of the Canadian spa industry and the promotion of Canada as the finest spa destination in the world. Led by a dedicated Board of Directors from across the country, LSC represents the broad spectrum of the spa experience, from resort and day spas, destination and mineral springs spas to medical spas, schools and suppliers. Over 175 Association members share a commitment to a stringent set of Standards of Practice and Codes of Ethics, which distinguish them for excellence in spa services and operations in North America and in the world.

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