The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau’s newest hire is a familiar face to many local TV viewers.
Rebecca Petner, who hosted and produced WTAJ-TV’s lifestyle show “Studio 814” for five years, has joined Centre County’s official tourism agency as senior correspondent, according to a news release on Monday.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca to the Adventure Bureau team,” HVAB President and CEO Fritz Smith said in a statement. “She is well-known to many in the area, and has built up a tremendous fan base that we welcome to follow her along as she shares the best of Happy Valley through new communications platforms.”
As senior correspondent, Petner will develop a Happy Valley podcast and create “engaging and energetic video content that further showcases the destination, events, festivals and partner businesses to potential visitors,” in support of the bureau’s marketing strategy.
Prior to her time at WTAJ, Petner, a New Jersey native, spent seven years at NBC10 in Philadelphia.
“I cannot wait to showcase the amazing places to eat, play, stay and be happy in Happy Valley,” Petner said in a statement. “When I first moved to central Pennsylvania five years ago, I had no idea what I had been missing my whole life. The beautiful mountains, amazing eats, and community events all brought me joy – but it was the people who made me feel right at home.”
Smith called Petner an “integral member” of HVAB’s sales, marketing and communications team who opens the door to using “innovative media tactics” that will generate further publicity for the region’s tourism assets.
“Awareness about Happy Valley is strong, with happyvalley.com closing in on one million users,” Smith said. “New messaging platforms and approaches will keep that interest strong and bring in new audiences, elevating Centre County’s profile as a premier destination.”
