The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau will once again recognize excellence in the Centre County hospitality industry at the Fourth Annual Happy Valley Hospitality Awards & Gala, and community members are invited to make nominations.
This year’s awards recognize excellence in the local tourism and hospitality community in seven categories:
- Volunteer of the Year (tourism/hospitality related)
- Festival/Event of the Year
- Tourist Attraction of the Year
- Rising Star
- Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Leadership
- Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Service
- Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Teamwork
“Happy Valley just experienced a record year for visitation,” Fritz Smith, President and CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, said in a statement. “This milestone wouldn’t be achievable without the contributions of our dedicated hospitality employees at all levels. These individuals are front-line ambassadors for Happy Valley, ensuring that visitors have a positive, memorable time while here.”
Award winners in the seven categories will be selected by an independent panel. Nominations can be submitted online at happyvalley.com/hospitality until close of business on Sept. 19.
The HVAB also annually chooses an individual to honor with the Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award, named in honor of the late, longtime manager of Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park. Past winners of the award include We Are Inn owner Pat Romano (2022), the State College Downtown Improvement District Clean Team (2023), Pine Grove Hall and Flour and Stone owner Liz Grove (2024) and Scholar Hotel Group founder Gary Brandeis (2024)
Finalists and winners will be honored at the Happy Valley Hospitality Awards & Gala on Nov. 5 at Brass 16823 in Titan Park, 2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte.
“We do recognize a few standouts, but the evening is truly about celebrating the industry as a whole, and what those working in the profession mean to tourism and our strengthening tourism economy,” he said. “The 2024 event generated a record number of nominations and attendance. We want build on that momentum.”
Gala registration will open in September at happyvalley.com.
