Latest news with #HappyValleyAdventureBureau
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Centre County businesses offering sensory kits for neurodiverse visitors
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Centre County businesses are being equipped with sensory comfort kits to ensure the county is more welcoming and accessible to neurodiverse individuals. The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) and the Acres Project partnered to provide 100 of these kits to establishments. This is part of the Acres Project's Sensory Friendly Centre County initiative. Each kit contains several items which includes, earmuffs, coloring books, Play-Doh, and fidget toys. The goal of the kits is for individuals with sensory processing disorder feel more comfortable when in public settings. Sensory processing disorders affect how the brain receives and responds to sensory input, which can make everyday activities challenging. 'We want to show that we care that we are a welcoming county and provide these kits so that these families and these individuals that have sensory processing issues can enjoy the attraction, the restaurant location or activity a lot longer,' Chief Operating Officer Josiah Jones said. Pediatrician hiking 300 plus miles to support two foundations The launch of the expanded initiative coincides with National Tourism & Travel Week, May 4-10, and prior to Penn State graduation, a time when Happy Valley will see an influx of visitors, and summer trip planning is underway. Acres Project Founder and Executive Director Bellamarie Bregar said she appreciates the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau's interest in strengthening the Sensory Friendly Centre County program. 'Through this partnership, more businesses and organizations will be able to request comfort kits that can be given to guests/customers if ever needed,' she said. 'We applaud the Acres Project for the tremendous work the organization does serving neurodivergent individuals,' HVAB President and CEO Fritz Smith said. 'With our commitment to fostering an inclusive destination, we saw a need to get more establishments, hospitality businesses in particular, to participate in the Sensory Friendly Centre County initiative.' The sensory comfort kits will also be available at the HVAB's three visitor centers at 204 W. Beaver Ave. in State College; the Bellefonte Train Station; and the Moshannon Valley Heritage Center at 22 N. Front Street in Philipsburg. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Happy Valley Adventure Bureau sees ‘record' year, looks to 2025
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau is saying 2024 was a record year for tourism – but where will that extra revenue go? There are several ways to measure tourism, with hotels being the heavy hitters. 'One of the metrics that we score is hotel room stays because that's money that stays within the county through the hotels,' Director of the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance Eric Engelbarts said. Penn State Communications dean named president of Quinnipiac College According to the adventure bureau, it saw a roughly 8% increase in hotel revenue. VP of Sales and Marketing Dave Gerdes says that Centre County was ranked 11 across Pa., and three years ago, they were at rank 17 – indicating significant growth. 'It was a record hotel year for Centre County,' Gerdes said. 'Everybody benefits from that. All of our neighbors benefit from that. When Centre County is doing well, the neighbors do well also.' The HVAB collects money from a hotel tax that every visitor pays. Engelbarts says they take the money and 'market the county again and continue to bring those visitors in.' They also have plans to improve 2025 by focusing more on winter events like the upcoming Comic Con and enhancing already popular events like Arts Fest with more concerts. Ultimately, Gerdes says they want to keep their 'foot on the pedal' and continue to bring in new tourists. 'You got to keep telling people what's going on, because as soon as you slip, one of your neighbors or somebody in a neighboring state is going to gobble them up,' Gerdes said. To see the latest events coming to Happy Valley, visit the adventure bureau's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
