SUPPLIED PHOTO Presenting the winners of the third annual Happy Valley Hospitality Awards: Liz Grove, Pine Grove Hall, Peter J. Walker, Spirit of Hospitality winner; Erin Pugh, Hublersburg Inn, Rising Star Award; Mike Tedesco, Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits, Excellence in Service Award; The Queen, A Victorian Bed and Breakfast, assistant innkeepers Asia Pilger and Casie Garber, Excellence in Teamwork Award; Grayson Immel and Tara Immel, Nittany Meadow Farm, Tourist Attraction of the Year Award; Renea Nash Nichols, Volunteer of the Year Award; Gary Brandeis, Scholar Hotel Group, Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality recipient. The event of the year was the Center Film Festival.

STATE COLLEGE — The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) recognized outstanding individuals in the Center County tourism and hospitality community Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the third annual Happy Valley Hospitality Awards.

Sponsored by Titan Park, the event drew a crowd of nearly 300 people to Brass 16823 in Bellefonte for an Oscar-themed celebration and a thank you to Happy Valley’s hospitality industry.

“2024 was a banner year for tourism in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, both in terms of visitors and economic impact,” said Fritz Smith, president and CEO of HVAB. “The efforts of those on the front lines of the visitor experience allow the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau to confidently market Center County as a premier four-season Mid-Atlantic destination.” We thank each of us for choosing hospitality and tourism as a profession and for caring about the work we do for tourism.

HVAB received a record 64 nominations in seven categories. An independent committee selected the finalists and winners.

The 2024 winners of the Happy Valley Hospitality Awards are:

— Volunteer of the Year – Renea Nash Nichols, for her service to Eagle Ironworks, Curtin Village and Union Cemetery.

— Festival/Event of the year – Center Film Festival

— Tourist Attraction of the Year – Nittany Meadow Farm

— Rising Star – Erin Pugh, General Manager, Hublersburg Inn

— Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Leadership — Lucy Rogers, Tasting Room Manager at Big Spring Spirits

— Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Service – Mike Tedesco, Owner of Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits

— Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Teamwork – Casie Garber and Asia Pilger, assistant innkeepers at Queen Bed & Breakfast.

Additionally, the HVAB honored the 2024 recipients of the Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award, named in honor of the late and beloved director of Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park.

This year’s recipients were Liz Grove, owner of Pine Grove Hall and the new restaurant Flour & Stone, and Gary Brandeis, CEO and founder of Scholar Hotel Group.

“As we reflected on the highlights of the past year – and there have been many – we realized that the local tourism and hospitality industry has some incredible champions,” said Jennifer Brooks-Stahl, general manager of the Wyndham Garden State College and HVAB President. Board of Directors. “We are pleased to recognize two individuals whose commitments and investments in Center County contribute positively to our vibrant tourism landscape and thriving communities. They are both recognized ambassadors for Happy Valley and are also recipients of the Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award.

In addition to Titan Park, sponsors included Hello Social Co., Blink, 3Twenty9 Design, Central PA Tasting Trail, the Center County Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Amplify Video.