PRLA Summer 2019

26  • PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters • Summer 2019 MEMBER MILESTONES Keystone Chapter Susan Swales-Vitullo recently completed the requirements to become a Certified Travel Industry Specialist. The program was offered through Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis sponsored by the American Bus Association. Sue is the assistant director of Visit Clearfield County, and she also serves as the Keystone Chapter president. Congratulations to the Fairfield Inn & Suites and TownePlace Suites by Marriott, both in Altoona, on receiving the Platinum Circle Award from parent-company Marriott. Both hotels were in the top 5% of their brand in North America, determined by guest satisfaction surveys. This June, Lancaster-based Clark Service Group celebrated the opening of its sixth branch location in State College. Clark Service Group offers repairs, maintenance, and installation of hot- and cold- side commercial foodservice equipment, beverage systems, and commercial HVAC units. Fifteen Hospitality Asset Management Company hotel and restaurant properties in central Pennsylvania, including seven in State College, Pa., have received the 2019 Certificate of Excellence Award from TripAdvisor, the leading travel rating and review website. The Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau recently announced that creative agency Allen & Gerritsen will lead a major destination/organization re-branding effort. The hiring of A&G is the first step to fulfilling a strategic commitment to use increased hotel bed tax revenues to craft a new vision for tourism in Centre County and enhance the marketing and promotion of the region as a tourism destination. Bucks-Mont Chapter Happy Retirement! Jerry Lepping retired from his leadership role at Visit Bucks County on June 30. Jerry had served as President/ COO since 2007, after serving two terms as president of Visit Bucks County Board of Directors. Vice President Paul Bencivengo assumed the role of President/COO on July 1. Jerry will remain in an advisory capacity to the organization through November 2019. Central Chapter Congratulations! Marriott International recognized High Hotels TownePlace Suites-Harrisburg West as its Hotel of the Year. The hotel was chosen from among more than 350 hotels worldwide. Also, Hilton Worldwide awarded the Homewood Suite Harrisburg West with the Connie Pride Merit Award and the hotel’s Area General Manager Keith Komon with the Excellence in Leadership Award. Keith serves on the Central Chapter Board. The #GotHope team from the Hampton Inn Carlisle, a Hersha Hospitality Management property, participated in the Hummelstown-area Relay for Life in June, raising more than $7,500 for the American Cancer Society. Chef Cher Harris, who has been the executive pastry chef at the Hotel Hershey, was recently promoted to the first-ever corporate pastry chef at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company. She will be responsible for developing a confectionery scratch kitchen, ice cream parlor, and Hersheypark’s largest full-service the need restaurant.