Leading Spas of Canada 2010 Awards for Excellence Announced – POSH Media Inc.

August 25, 2010 3:48 pm Published by POSH Media Leave your thoughts

Canada, August 4, 2010 – Leading Spas of Canada (LSC), Canada’s only national spa association, is very pleased to announce its 2010 Industry Award recipients.  LSC presents annual awards to members in recognition of their exceptional contribution in advancing the spa industry in Canada.  This year’s awards will be presented at LSC’s Networking and Spa Education Forum in Mississauga at the Delta Airport West on September 20th, 2010. Leading Spas is proud to acknowledge the following Canadian spa industry award winners:

President’s Award – Ms. Deb Thorn, Former CEO, Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, current President & CEO, Saskatchewan South Central Enterprise Region; Outstanding Service – Mr. Paul MacIntyre, General Manager, 100 Fountain Spa at Pillar and Post Inn, Vintage Hotels, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario; Sustainability – The Spa Ritual, Calgary, Alberta; Quality Assurance – Grotto Spa at Tigh-na-Mara Seaside Resort & Spa, Parksville, British Columbia; Education – Dr. Wendy Smeltzer, BSc, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Medical Director & Founder, Sante Spas, Calgary, Alberta & Victoria, British Columbia.

The LSC President’s Award is presented for outstanding contribution to the future of Leading Spas of Canada.  This year’s recipient, Deb Thorn, is a Founding Director of LSC, dedicating 13 years to the ongoing growth and expansion of Leading Spas of Canada and the Canadian spa industry.

“I have never received anything that has meant so much,” said Ms. Thorn, “I am thrilled, tickled pink! This is so special.”

Paul McIntyre was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement Award by his employees at the Vintage Inns citing his “unique gift of being able to envision what the future could hold for the spas including growth strategies and then creatively turning these visions into reality.”

“Fantastic news”, said Paul McIntyre of the Vintage Inns, “Wonderful to receive an award from an association that is so respected.”

The introduction of the Sustainability Award this year generated many worthy applicants with The Spa Ritual, Calgary, Alberta, demonstrating the most comprehensive sustainability plan.

“The Spa Ritual is committed to environmental protection and sustainability guided by our Green Program.  Our Green Program strives to minimize our Spa’s operational impact on the environment through resource conservation and best practices,” according to Sandy Cutts, Spa Operations Manager, The Spa Ritual.

The Spa Ritual has implemented many energy and conservation techniques to minimize the impact on the environment setting a bench mark for the Spa Industry. To learn more about Spa Ritual’s Green Program, visit The Spa Ritual Sustainability Page.

In February 2010, Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort in Parksville, British Columbia, was recognized on the national stage from Leading Spas of Canada, becoming one of only 16 spas nationwide to receive the prestigious “Quality Assurance Approved” Designation (QAA). QAA is a national designation recognizing consistent safety and hygiene standards in the spa industry, offering reassurance and uncompromising quality for spa guests.  Grotto Spa easily exceeded the standards required to be “QAA” and along with their excellent customer service record, Leading Spas is proud to announce Grotto Spa as the first spa to be recognized with the Quality Assurance Award.

Education is the most important mandate of Leading Spas of Canada and LSC is pleased to add the Education Award for 2010. Sponsored by Elmcrest College of Applied Health Science and Spa Management; it is an honour to bestow this award to long-time LSC Director and supporter, Dr. Wendy Smeltzer, BSc, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Medical Director & Founder, Santé Spas, located in Calgary, Alberta and Victoria, British Columbia.

“Thank you for this. I am honored! As you know, I have such respect for LSC and all it does for the industry – it means a lot to receive this award,” commented Dr. Smeltzer.

Dr. Smeltzer co-chaired the 2009 World Congress of Aesthetic Medicine and is regularly invited as a Guest speaker at various industry conferences and events worldwide, including her recent presentation, “Introducing Medical Aesthetics to Your Spa” – an educational webinar for spa owners, consultants and managers through Leading Spas of Canada. Dr. Smeltzer’s unique combination of formal medical training and extensive spa experience makes her highly sought after as presenter and educational speaker.

Leading Spas of Canada would like to congratulate all the winners of the Spa Industry Awards for 2010. For more information on attending the presentation ceremony at the Networking Forum in Mississauga September 20th, 2010, visit the Leading Spas of Canada website at http://www.leadingspasofcanada.com/web/about/events/toronto.

For the latest news & spa trends, follow Leading Spas of Canada on Twitter – @LeadingSpas Become a Fan of Leading Spas on Facebook and Join discussions at LinkedIn

Contact: Dawn Hueston, Executive Director

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.  LSC is also the first spa industry organization globally to implement a Quality Assurance Approved program.  To learn more about Leading Spas of Canada, please see www.leadingspasofcanada.com

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This post was written by POSH Media