Awards Honor Excellence in Centre County Hospitality and Tourism

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau on Wednesday honored standouts in the Centre County hospitality and tourism industry.

The fourth annual Happy Valley Hospitality Awards welcomed more than 300 hospitality leaders, community partners and elected officials to Brass 16823 in Bellefonte for a celebration recognizing winners in seven categories.

After a year that saw record visitations and a growing number of events that have helped Centre County have the fastest-growing visitor economy in Pennsylvania since the COVID-19 pandemic, Happy Valley Adventure Bureau President and CEO Fritz Smith said it’s important to recognize the people who make that possible by ensuring a memorable experience.

They are the HVAB’s “front-line ambassadors,” he said.

“The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau’s mission is to drive visitation to the county,” Smith said. “The experience visitors have while here determines if they come back. Our data tells us they are coming back. That is a credit to our amazing hospitality community.”

An independent committee of local leaders and destination marketing industry peers selected winners from among 58 nominations

Tourist Attraction of the Year
Woodward Cave

Festival/Event of the Year
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts

Volunteer of the Year
John Wainwright, Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum

Rising Star
Dave Wigfield, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Woodward Cave

Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Teamwork
The Hublersburg Inn, front of house team

Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Service
Jeannie Ishler, Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center

Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Leadership
Phil and Kathy Breidenbaugh, Bellefonte Bed & Breakfast

The event also honored Celesta Powell as this year’s winner of the Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award, named in honor of the late manager of Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park.

Powell, the marketing manager for the Central PA Tasting Trail and owner of Powell’s Presence, is a driving force behind many events and organizations in the county and represents the spirit of hospitality that the award exemplifies, Smith said.

“To be recognized as the spirit of hospitality with the Peter J. Walker Award is a complete honor,” Powell said. “Being a reflection of the spirit of Happy Valley and all the amazing things we do here is humbling and much appreciated.”