Top spots for retreats, workshops, and corporate events, perfect for companies looking to bring together remote talent or connect with customers.

Company retreats, team-building workshops, and other corporate events are growing in popularity with the rise of remote work. Getting together offsite brings teams together in a fresh environment for collaboration and productivity. Businesses are also finding renewed value in bringing their customers together for live events that help build stronger relationships.

Happy Valley is emerging as an ideal location for meetings and events, thanks to its proximity to several major- and mid-size cities, and easy access from interstates 80 and 99. The region also ranks high in key criteria:

• An abundance and variety of meeting spaces offering a range of pricing;
• Plenty of accommodations;
• And a unique balance of opportunities for entertainment and relaxation.

Ready to explore Happy Valley for your next corporate retreat, meeting, or event? To get a jumpstart on planning, HVAB has direct contacts to plan room blocks, dining, space, and after-meeting activities to make your time in Happy Valley as productive as possible. Here are some of our favorite spots to add to your list of options.

Space of all sizes with amenities galore

Whether you’re bringing a small team or hosting your whole client list, you’ll find the perfect space and surrounding amenities to meet your needs.

At the Hilton Garden Inn in State College, various rooms and configuration options create the perfect space for groups of 12-150. There’s also the convenience of an onsite restaurant, Mercato Mio Italian Market. Check out the newly renovated Days Inn by Wyndham for proximity to Penn State. In addition to a meeting room that accommodates 45-72 guests, the hotel is walkable from campus and just across the street from the Original Waffle Shop and Marzoni’s Brick Oven & Brewing Company.

Small groups should consider the hotels in State College’s Williamsburg Square, just off the Toftrees exit of I-99. Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn & Suites, and SpringHill Suites offer rooms that accommodate between 14 and 40 people, and the location is central to dining, shopping, campus, and surrounding areas.

For a resort experience, Toftrees Golf Resort offers 16 meeting rooms, plus amenities galore. Onsite dining at The Field Burger & Tap, a serene wooded setting, a PGA-rated course, and more make the location a one-stop for retreats. The Wyndham Garden State College, located in Boalsburg, offers eight meeting rooms and conference space, a golf course, and The View Restaurant, overlooking the greens and named for its expansive views of Tussey Mountain.
With meeting space for up to 35 people The Scholar in Downtown State College is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Enjoy Downtown State College and campus, just two blocks from Old Main and surrounded by walkable restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.

Comfort Suites in State College offers an adaptable meeting space and the comfort of all-suite guest rooms. Just a mile from campus, the location is perfect for checking out the Penn State Arboretum, the Palmer Museum, the Penn State All-Sports Museum, and, of course, the Berkey Creamery.

As part of the DCNR Pennsylvania state park system, the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park offers a unique alternative for your next meeting or corporate event. The inn offers two event spaces suitable for groups ranging in size from two to 50, plus 16 overnight guest rooms. You’ll love the breathtaking views overlooking FJ Sayers Reservoir, walk-out connections to Bald Eagle State Park’s natural resources, exceptional in-house meals, and catering, all at affordable prices.

Partner Shoutout

In addition to the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau’s directory at happyvalley.com/meetings, visit the Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County, or the CBICC online to see a directory of local businesses organized into categories for ease (cbicc.org).

Coworking for community

Happy Valley is home to two coworking spaces, perfect for entrepreneurs and traveling remote workers who need a quiet place to take a meeting or use their computer. Bellefonte SpringBoard, a coworking space in downtown Bellefonte powered by Arize Federal Credit Union, offers day-pass availability as well as coworking membership options. In downtown State College, find the Happy Valley Launchbox powered by PNC Bank — totally free to utilize.

Downtime is for fun

For fun and entertainment with your team, Happy Valley provides year-round indoor and outdoor opportunities. Hike to the top of iconic Mount Nittany and enjoy the stunning views of Happy Valley or plan a visit to Climb Nittany in Boalsburg, for an indoor climbing adventure. Cheer on the Nittany Lions and Lady Lions at one of many Penn State sporting events, including basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, wrestling, soccer, and more. Catch a show at Penn State Centre Stage, Eisenhower Auditorium, or The State Theatre in Downtown State College.

For a little relaxation, visit one of Happy Valley’s many wineries, cideries, distilleries, or breweries, all serving up local beverages and enticing ambiance. Many also offer local food pairings and, weather permitting, outdoor seating.
Don’t skip visits to the area’s sweet small towns, like Bellefonte, Philipsburg, Boalsburg, and Millheim to check out a variety of locally owned shops, cafes, restaurants, and quaint parks and outdoor spaces.