The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) on Tuesday honored several local hospitality community standouts at the second annual Happy Valley Hospitality Awards.
Nearly 200 tourism and hospitality employees and leaders attended the celebration at Titan Hollow in Bellefonte to recognize excellence in the local food and beverage, and lodging industries.
“All hospitality positions — from back-of-house support to customer facing and supervisory roles — are valuable to ensuring that visitors and residents have positive dining, entertainment and lodging experiences,” HVAB President and CEO Fritz Smith said in a news release. “The Adventure Bureau launched the hospitality awards because we want those working in the industry to know that whatever their role, they are valued and appreciated.”
An independent selection committee chose this year’s honorees from among nominees in five categories. Those included the new “Community Favorite” award sponsored by Barash Media, which invited the public to nominate their favorite bartender/server, or other food and beverage worker.
The HVAB selected the Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality honoree. The award was named after the late longtime manager of Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park and exemplifies the traits that he brought to his role: leading by example with an incomparable work ethic, a commitment to serving others and leaving a positive impact on those around him.
2023 Happy Valley Hospitality Award Winners
Lodging Excellence in Leadership
Alissa Kujawski, General Manager, Country Inn & Suites
Lodging Excellence in Service
William “Billy” Hague, breakfast attendant/houseman/grounds crew, Holiday Inn Express State College
Food & Beverage Excellence in Leadership
Anne Bliss, manager, Titan Hollow
Food & Beverage Excellence in Service
Scott Shive, kitchen manager, The Corner Room
Community Favorite
Matt LeClair, owner/bartender, 814 Cider Works
Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality
State College Downtown Improvement District Clean Team: Damian Cabrera, Joe Bellehumeur and Denny Barnhart
Smith said that next year the awards will grow to encompass the entire local tourism industry.
“We congratulate this year’s honorees, and we thank our nominees and all the hardworking individuals who work in hospitality and tourism — our restaurants, lodging properties, event facilities and tourism attractions,” Smith said. “Visitation is growing. People are interested in Happy Valley. We can’t invite leisure, sports and business travelers to enjoy our beautiful communities and valleys without dedicated people to provide a positive experience. To everyone who fills these roles, we say thank you. You are all standouts.”
