DSA Accreditation is an international benchmarking program, which involves an exhaustive document review and spa owner interviews. The DSA Accreditation Certificate and Decal are given to accredited spas and used as tools to identify industry leaders. The decal represents a dedication to the industry’s highest business principles, customer service operations and health and wellness standards. We have created DSA Accreditation because we want to raise the level of integrity and credibility in the industry while giving consumers the ability to distinguish the industry’s most exceptional spas.

DSA Accreditation is an exclusive privilege of member spas in the Day Spa Association. To gain accreditation, a spa must first meet the Day Spa Association Membership requirements as outlined in the DSA Membership Application form. Further, each spa must undergo an extensive document review process as outlined in the DSA Accreditation Application form. The Day Spa Association does not provide conditional accreditation as some organizations in the industry do. To maintain the highest industry standards and ethics, each accredited member spa is required to maintain FULL Compliance to the standards set forth in the DSA Best Practices and Membership Requirements and as outlined in the Accreditation Application form.

It is our mission to raise the level of integrity and credibility in the day spa industry by awarding accreditation to spas that meet high level of standards. We also strive to provide consumers with a path to healthier and safer spas.

DSA Accreditation was officially launched in July of 1994. It is a commitment-based program created to lift performance thresholds for the day spa industry. It has expanded over the years to include worldwide spas. The DSA Accreditation process is reviewed annually to include improvements made in the industry.

DSA Accreditation has an Accreditation Advisory Board that advise the program of revisions and enhancements. Board Members are industry leaders and wellness experts who lend input quarterly on process improvements and qualification requirements. Each year the Accreditation Advisory Board also nominates a Distinguished Day Spa Of The Year Award and recognizes this distinguished day spa at the annual Award & Charity celebration, as outlined in the Accreditation Brochure (opens up in a new window).

DSA Accreditation is based on a one-year renewal and assessment system keeping pace with the rapidly evolving industry. The annual expiration date makes it necessary for each of our accredited spa members to strive and commit to a process of continual improvement.

If you have questions regarding the DSA Accreditation process, check our Frequently Asked Questions section, or call us at 201-865-2065.

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CLIENT CREDIBILITY: 
DSA members are viewed as distinguished Day Spas by the consumer

EDUCATION: 
DSA sponsored Business Forums provide pertinent information to start, grow and manage your business

ADVOCACY: 
We keep you informed, and are pro-active when it comes to legislative issues which impact on your business

RESEARCH: 
We publish relevant topic research and reports regarding industry statistics, demographics and compensation

NEWSLETTERS: 
Keep current about industry news, trends, products and technology

DISCOUNTS: 
DSA members receive discounts and special pricing from our vendor members

CREDIT CARD PROCESSING: 
Special discounts programs available to DSA members

GIFT CERTIFICATES: 
Special discounts/No Fee/No Waiting programs available to DSA members

FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS: 
DSA members receive free subscriptions to 8 different trade and consumer magazines

FREE INTERNET PRESENCE: 
DSA members receive a free listing on the DSA web site with a link to your website (1 million hits per month) (#1on Google search) (#4 on Yahoo search)

FREE ADVERTISING: 
DSA members receive a free listing in our Annual Day Spa Directory

FREE HELP LINE:  
The DSA will connect you to the right resource to answer questions or provide information

HEALTH INSURANCE: 
DSA members are eligible to enroll in a specially priced Group Health Insurance program

As an added bonus, new enrollees will receive a free copy of the DSA paper “The Evolution of the Day Spa Industry”.

With each annual membership renewal, you will also receive one free copy of a current DSA Study or Report.

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Participating in the DSA Accreditation process can provide a number of benefits to DSA day spa members.

DSA Accreditation Decal
Once you meet the requirements for Day Spa Association Membership and are in full compliance with DSA Accreditation Application requirements your spa will receive our accreditation door and / or window decals. The DSA Accreditation logo can be placed on all marketing and advertising material as well as on your company website. It can be used as a tool to convince consumers of your dedication to business, health, and safety standards. Apart from the decal, you can prominently display your DSA Accreditation Certificate.

Competitiveness
Once you are accredited by the DSA your spa can assess its performance against industry standards. Gaining accreditation from DSA will put your spa a step above the rest of the industry. It will also prove your spas dedication to business, health and safety standards.

Consumer Awareness
DSA Accreditation will market to consumers who are increasingly concerned about their health and safety during a spa experience. Through the use of accreditation information on the DSA web site and with your accreditation decal, your spa will guarantee consumers that they are visiting a distinguished spa which dedicates itself to the highest industry standards. The DSA Accreditation logo will also appear beside your company name in our directory listing of members.

Media
Your spa will be featured on the DSA web site with a special symbol conveying accredited status. Our web site provides information about the DSA Accreditation process and provides a list of the qualifications and standards each spa had to meet. It will also include a link to your spa and give an assurance of full compliance to our stringent accreditation requirements.

The DSA refers editors and writers to accredited spa members regularly. You may also benefit by joining our list of Trend Spotters.

Clientele Improvement
Not only will consumers know that you have a safe, licensed and clean spa, but they will also understand your spa offers the highest possible level of customer service.

Industry Respect
Your spa will gain industry wide respect because you will be recognized as a leader. The Day Spa Association directs media inquiries and interviews to Accredited Spa members first, as opportunities arise.

The DSA will issue an Industry Press Release on your behalf upon successful accreditation.

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1. What is DSA Accreditation?

DSA Accreditation is an international benchmarking and document review program, which gives consumers a tool to immediately recognize distinguished spas while also coaching spas on how to offer a higher standard of service and safety.

2. What is the purpose of DSA Accreditation?

It is our mission to raise the level of integrity and credibility to the spa industry by awarding accreditation status to spas that meet our high level of standards by recognizing their excellence. We also strive to provide communities and consumers with a path to healthier and safer spas.

3. Why was DSA Accreditation necessary?

The Day Spa Association receives phone calls frequently from consumers who want to locate a spa that is dedicated to the most stringent health and safety standards. Consumers are demanding to be directed to spas with: high standards of customer service, technical training and operations. Just as consumers rate restaurants and hotels on service and operation, they also ask for a way to immediately recognize ‘best in class’ day spas. More importantly, however, consumers need to be protected from facilities that are unsafe.

4. Do current DSA members receive automatic accreditation?

Although the Accreditation process was formulated by the DSA, it does not give DSA members a favored status when applying for accreditation. To be eligible for accreditation, each spa must be a member in good standing as outlined in the DSA Membership Application. The member spa must also be in full compliance with all requirements set forth in the DSA Accreditation Application.

5. When was DSA Accreditation created and who created it?

DSA Accreditation was officially launched in July of 1994 and was created by an Accreditation Advisory Board chaired by Hannelore Leavy, Founder & Executive Director of the Day Spa Association. The DSA Accreditation Advisory Board directs the affairs of the accreditation process. The Board Members are industry leaders and beauty experts who advise the DSA quarterly, on improvements pertaining to policy and process requirements. We also work closely with governmental regulatory boards to ensure our compliance with state and federal laws.

6. How long does accreditation from DSA last?

Accreditation from the DSA will last for 1 year. DSA Accreditation is based on a one-year renewal system that keeps pace with a rapidly evolving industry. This makes it necessary for all of our accredited spa members to strive and commit to a process of continual improvement.

      7. What are the benefits of DSA Accreditation?

Logo: Once you are found to be fully compliant with membership and accreditation requirements your spa immediately receives our accreditation decal and an accreditation certificate. The DSA accreditation logo can be placed on all marketing advertising materials can be used as a tool to assure consumers of your dedication to business, health, and safety standards.
Competitiveness: Accreditation from the DSA increases the image of each spa, setting it apart from the crowd. It will prove each spas dedication to business,  health and safety standards.
Consumer Awareness: DSA Accreditation will market to consumers who are increasingly concerned about health and safety issues during their day spa experience. Through the use of the DSA web site and accreditation logo, each accredited spa will reassure consumers that they are visiting a distinguished spa which dedicates itself to the highest industry standards.
Media: DSA accredited spas will be featured on our web site. The web site provides information about DSA Accreditation and provides a list of the Best Practices and stringent standards each spa had to meet. It will also include a link to each DSA Accredited Spa by region, and a Press Release on successful accreditation.
Clientele: Your spa will naturally increase your ability to attract a larger customer base through accreditation. Not only will consumers know that each accredited spa is safe, and clean, but they will also understand that your spa offers the highest possible level of customer service.
Industry Respect: DSA members participating in the accreditation program will gain industry wide respect and be recognized as a leader among peers.

8. How much does DSA Accreditation cost?

For first-time members of the DSA the fees are outlined in the Accredited Member Application For First-Timers link. For renewing DSA members, the fees and requirements are outlined in the Accreditation Application for Members. You can pay your fees online by clicking on Membership Application / Renewal and choosing Accredited Spa Member. These are annual fees.

9. What is the Re-Application Fee?

The Re-Application Fee will be discussed upon notification of non-compliance with membership or accreditation application requirements. The fee will be based on the amount of improvements needed, number of documents to be reviewed again and coaching or consultancy provided. Only spa members who are 100% compliant with accreditation requirements will be accredited by the DSA. Call our office at 201-865-2065 for details.

10. Will the DSA stay in touch post-accreditation?

As technology, equipment and regulations change the DSA will be on the cutting edge. Educating day spas about industry trends, regulations and legislature and rulings about industry standards is part of our charter. The In Touch newsletter keeps spas appraised of these changes. Any changes to the DSA Accreditation process as well as reminders to be re-accredited annually are communicated electronically and by mail, as appropriate.

11. How will consumers know that DSA Accredited spas are still doing what they should be doing months into their accreditation?

Consumers are encouraged to visit the DSA web site and familiarize themselves with accreditation requirements. If they experience discrepancies during their spa experience they are welcome to alert the Day Spa Association via e-mail / fax / phone. DSA Accredited Spas will be made aware of the problems / complaints and will be given a warning. If three warnings are issued, the spa can no longer be accredited without going through the entire process again.

12. How can I gain accreditation from the DSA?
1. Please send a faxed or e-mailed request for a Membership Application & Accreditation Application to the Day Spa Association:

Day Spa Association
Accreditation Department
520 23rd Street
Union City, NJ 07087
Fax: 201-865-3961
Email: Barbara@dayspaassociation.com

You can also download the Application forms from our web site and mail the
forms back with payment information, or apply and pay online at
our Membership Application / Renewal site.
Please do not provide credit card information by email.

2. As soon as your spa completes the application process you can send the forms and necessary documentation to the DSA to be reviewed and processed.

3. If you are found to be compliant with all DSA Accreditation requirements, you will be notified of an approximate date for your Accreditation Certificate and Decal to be mailed to you. Further, the DSA will email you a first draft of a Press Release announcing your accreditation status for review. The normal timeline is within 6 weeks of accreditation.

4. If you are found to be non-compliant with one or more Accreditation and Membership requirements, you will be notified within 7-10 business days electronically or by mail. You are encouraged to consult with the DSA regarding the re-application process by calling 201-865-2065

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Where does the press go for information? The first place they look up and call is the trade organization that represents the particular industry they are researching.

Being #1 on Google and #4 on Yahoo for the last 6 years, and having been quoted in hundreds of articles through the 17 years we have been promoting the day spa industry, it is natural that we are being contacted by the media on a continuous basis. Our Executive Director conducts at least 5 interviews a week, mainly from writers and journalists of newspapers and magazines, major and minor.

In order to serve our industry even better through the media, we are in need for grassroots practice and trend information from Day Spa & Medical Spa owners and managers.

When the press calls us for interviews, they want day spa industry statistics, trends, and quotes from spa owners on very short notice—sometimes immediately. We would like to begin collecting this data from DSA members now, so we can provide the instant answers that journalists want and need.

What’s in it for you, other than supporting the industry and the DSA? Chances are you will be mentioned, if not quoted by the media contacts we are making.

If you would like to be one of our DSA Trend Spotters, here is how the program works:

1. We are inviting YOU, to become a DSA Trend Spotter.  When the need arises for hot trends and industry news, we will do an email broadcast to the trend spotters group. The email would pose no more than 1-5 questions. The important part is that you respond quickly.
2. The new DSA website will have a membership login area, where we will put up the short survey of DSA Trend Spotter questions. These responses will be collated/summarized on a regular basis and made available to the Executive Director for ready-access in media interviews.
3. Sometimes, there might be instructions for you to contact a specific writer/journalist directly. This can be an excellent PR opportunity for you!
4. The DSA would also like to seek out even greater media exposure, once we have your day spa trends survey answers available to us. So not only can we respond to interview requests, we can take this news-worthy information and actively pitch your day spa trend stories to the media.

DSA SITE SURVEY EXAMPLE FOR SPA PROFESSIONALS

This survey’s topic: Spa Menu Trends

1. What is the most popular service at your facility?
2. What new service have you added to your menu?
3. What new services are you planning to add to your menu?
4. What services have you deleted from your menu of services?

We really hope you’ll become a member of the DSA Trend Spotters group!
To enroll, please send an email to Laurie@dayspaassociation.com

Spafully,

Hannelore R. Leavy
Executive Director

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