Tradition and thinking outside the box are two major hallmarks at universities like Penn State, which is a pillar of the State College community.
Similarly, meeting planners know the importance of both traditional settings for meetings, including hotels and resorts, and those unique event facilities found scattered throughout the host destination.
In State College, there are tried-and-true places to gather, including The Nittany Lion Inn, which opened in 1931, and a variety of nontraditional settings, including an arboretum and an arts and crafts studio.
Traditional Venues
Among the standby facilities for group events in State College is The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, which boasts 300 guest rooms and suites and 58,000 square feet of function space.
According to Judy Karaky, the property’s general manager, the Penn Stater has the space and flexibility to accommodate events of all stripes, including corporate retreats, awards dinners and annual association meetings.
“The courtyard of the Penn Stater has become a favorite location for receptions, and even a ‘picnic’ for 600,” she said. “The fountain, pond and greenery all combine to create a unique but functional venue.”
The Penn Stater also offers day meeting packages that include a coffee break complete with a beverage wall and a scrumptious variety of snacks.
The morning break, said Karaky, might include a Power Protein Pick, which includes eggs, cheese, nuts and locally-made bagels with cream cheese, and during an afternoon break, peanut butter malted milk balls, Swedish fish and honey chipotle almonds are among the tasty treats offered.
The Penn Stater is managed by Penn State Hospitality Services, as is The Nittany Lion Inn. This charming 223-room colonial-style property, which offers more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space is affectionately known as Penn State’s “living room.”
According to Tom Neely, the inn’s general manager, groups who convene here can count on Four Diamond service in a handsome historic building, as well as an eclectic menu, wine-pairing dinners, a beautifully renovated ballroom and unique outdoor spaces featuring slate patios.
“We have catered every type of event, from small intimate parties in a private dining room to parties that utilize every bit of our 20,000 square feet of available space,” Neely said.
State College is also home to The Atherton Hotel, a boutique property with 150 guest rooms and more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space.
“Our fantastic location allows folks to walk to downtown State College and Penn State when the day is over for an evening of shopping and fun,” said Maggie Biddle, the hotel’s general manager. “We specialize in meetings and social functions, and offer extensive menus that include everything from a Cookie Crunch Break and High Tea to a Traditional Tailgate Lunch.”
Biddle added the newly renovated lobby area, with over 1,000 square feet of space, is perfect for cocktail receptions before dinner in one of the hotel’s banquet spaces.
The Atherton hosts a variety of groups, from Big Ten teams to large corporate and association groups, and prides itself on catering to the different needs of each one.
Another traditional meeting site in State College is Toftrees Golf Resort, which has 102 guest rooms and suites, more than 12,000 square feet of function space and on-site dining at the recently opened The Field, a farm-to-table restaurant specializing in burgers and craft beers.
According to Laura Phillippi, the resort’s director of sales and marketing, teambonding activities can be arranged for groups, including Amazing Race-type events and golf tournaments.
“We have a four-star Marriott golf course with putting green and driving range available for group outings,” she said, adding the Aspen Room, which overlooks the golf course and has a connecting outdoor patio and croquet lawn, is a popular gathering space.
Off-Site Venues
The Makery, which specializes in creative classes, parties and events, recently changed locations to an 1,800-square-foot studio in the heart of downtown State College.
“Our studio is exuberant and open—think exposed brick industrial meets warm, welcoming whimsy,” said Owner Amy Frank, who added the business didn’t count on becoming such a desirable location for private events. “After a few months we realized our funky, fresh, urban interior was a highly sought-after downtown venue. We began booking many meetings and events and hired a studio events manager this year.”
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The Makery can accommodate about 60 people for a seated dinner and about 175 for a cocktail reception or standing open house function.
“We can even arrange a specialized on-trend art/craft teambuilding activity for your group, and coordinate locally produced swag bags for your events,” Frank said.
Teambuilding options include painting, leatherwork, glass fusion, jewelry design and cocktail-making; and swag bag gifts might include locally produced sweets, inspirational jewelry or unique body-care products.
Housed in the former Mt. Nittany Inn, located atop the Mount Nittany ridge, is Above the Valley Special Event Center, which opened in May to accommodate meetings, meal functions, receptions and more.
“Event guests and meeting attendees are surrounded by the historic beauty of scenic Happy Valley,” said Kit Henshaw, the venue’s business manager and co-owner. “Above the Valley has three floors and each has comfortable event space for different sizes of groups, all overlooking the beautiful view.”
Spaces in the 14,000-square-foot building, which has an occupancy of 600-plus, include its largest room, the Elevation 1809 Room, for up to 225 people, and its smallest room, which holds up to 60 people. Additionally, there is a sun porch, an outer deck and walkways overlooking the valley below, according to Henshaw.
The Arboretum at Penn State rents out several venues within the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens for events and gatherings according to Kate Reeder, its event and marketing coordinator.
“All of the venues are outdoors and the rental season is approximately from mid-May until the end of September,” she said.
The most popular venue, added Reeder, is the Overlook Pavilion, which can accommodate seated events for up to 95 guests, and receptions for up to 300 people.
“The Overlook Pavilion, which sits at the highest point in the gardens, provides views toward the Bald Eagle [Mountain]ridge in the northwest, and across the event lawn towards the fountain and campus in the southeast,” Reeder said.
Other spaces available for group gatherings at the Arboretum include the Joan Milius Smith Esplanade and the Bigler Road Lawn, an area that accommodates up to 1,000 people for a seated dinner.
“This venue is excellent for extremely large groups because it is immediately adjacent to the parking lot and thus very accessible for both attendees and caterers,” Reeder said. “Likewise, this lawn lies next to one of the garden entrances so attendees can stroll through the gardens before and after the catered meal.”
At the family-owned Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, groups will find a friendly staff and some delicious wines that emphasize originality.
“We can accommodate many types of events,” said Tracy Rigg, the winery’s events manager, who added the winery is open year-round for tastings. “We also do tours throughout the year.”
Tours must be booked in advance, but do not run during harvest season.
The winery also hosts special events that small groups might participate in, including Campfire Friday Nights during the summer and fall, and holiday theme parties throughout the year.
As for its gathering spaces, the inside of Seven Mountains can comfortably seat around 100 people and the outside can accommodate much larger groups.
“We have a beautiful patio and yard area with a stage for live music,” said Rigg. “Groups of up to 300 or more have held events such as fundraisers outside.”
Mountain View Country Club hosts dozens of golf tournaments each year, as well as meetings and conferences for five to 300 people, according to Jennifer Brooks-Stahl, the country club’s director of sales and marketing.
“With a name like Mountain View, you can be sure the scenic views will take your breath away,” she said, adding the grand ballroom in the clubhouse has floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase panoramic views of the mountains, and an adjacent outdoor tiled patio. “It’s the perfect venue for those groups wanting to book a ‘room with view.’”
