In the heart of Pennsylvania, nestled among ridges and rich traditions, lies a place where hospitality isn’t just practiced—it’s lived. Welcome to Happy Valley, where every visit feels like coming home.
On November 5, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) brought together more than 300 hospitality leaders, community partners, and public officials for a moment that captured the essence of our valley. The 2025 Hospitality Awards weren’t just a ceremony; they were a celebration of belonging. The message that rang loud and clear: it’s not only about drawing visitors to our valley, but also about making sure they never feel like strangers.
Beyond the Check-In: Celebrating Heartfelt Hospitality
This year’s honorees reminded us that hospitality is more than transactions and services. It’s the emotional connections that linger long after check-out.
- Woodward Cave: Tourist Attraction of the Year
- Central PA Festival of the Arts: Festival/Event of the Year
- John Wainwright, Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum: Volunteer of the Year
- Dave Wigfield, Woodward Cave: Rising Star
- Hublersburg Inn: Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality Teamwork
- Jeannie Ishler, The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center: Excellence in Service
- Phil and Kathy Breidenbaugh, Bellefonte Bed & Breakfast: Excellence in Leadership
- Celesta Powell, recipient of the Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award, recognized for her tireless work with the Central PA Tasting Trail and Powell’s Presence, truly personifying what it means to connect and care.
Each winner touched lives in unique ways, yet all made people feel like they belonged.
The Spirit That Sets Us Apart
Happy Valley’s secret? It’s not grand gestures. It’s the authenticity. It’s the desk agent who remembers your name. The museum guide who keeps a gallery open a bit longer for your kids. The restaurant owner who insists you taste the dish passed down from their grandmother.
It’s a spirit. A culture. A community committed to connection.
The Manny’s Story: A Song of Hospitality
Manny’s Downtown State College didn’t take home a trophy this year, but they deserve our standing ovation. Ask any touring musician who’s played there. Again and again, performers pause between songs just to shout out the staff. Why? Because of Corey Elbin, the heart behind Manny’s and founder of Secret Planet State College.
Corey isn’t just booking shows. He’s building bridges. He picks up bands from the airport, finds them places to stay, feeds them his legendary pork chili, and welcomes them like family. Behind the curtain, he helps artists navigate visas, tours, and logistics. What seems like small kindnesses are, in truth, acts of care that transform gigs into lifelong memories.
And every time a musician thanks the Manny’s crew from the stage, they broadcast a deeper truth to the crowd: this is what Happy Valley stands for.
A Community That Lives It
With 58 award nominations submitted this year, it’s clear: Happy Valley’s culture of hospitality runs deep. From volunteers to visionaries, seasoned hosts to fresh faces, everyone shares in the mission: to make our valley a place where everyone feels seen, valued, and welcome.
But this isn’t just about visitors. It’s about how we treat each other. Hospitality connects us all, whether you’re a teacher greeting a school group, a brewer remembering a local regular, or a venue owner feeding a traveling band.
Why It All Matters
Tourism is measured in data, overnight stays, tickets sold, dollars spent. But hospitality is measured in heart. It reminds us that connection is both a strategy and a soul. It’s not just good business. It’s a better way to live.
So let’s honor the award winners. Let’s thank the unsung heroes. And let’s keep building the kind of community where visitors and neighbors alike feel like they truly belong.
Because here in Happy Valley, hospitality isn’t just something we do.
