Happy Valley Adventure Bureau hands out annual Hospitality Awards. Here are the winners

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) on Tuesday honored 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, recognizing industry 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 written statement. “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 the nominees in five of the categories, according to a press release. The HVAB selected the Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality honoree, an award named after the longtime, late manager of Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park.

Award honorees

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, Denny Barnhart)