Pennsylvania cities spruce up facilities
The lakeside city of Erie is luring meeting groups by improving its attractions and facilities. For example, the newly renovated and expanded Erie Art Museum has tripled its exhibit space and added a 250-seat performance space, and the Tullio Arena will offer additional seating and an outdoor plaza when construction is complete there in the fall of 2012.
The new Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex will open this month in Indiana, Pa., on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. This 148,500-square-foot complex will include a 17,000-square-foot conference center, a 6,000-square-foot corporate training and executive conference center, a 5,000-seat arena and a 650-seat auditorium.
Across the state, the Philadelphia suburb of King of Prussia is home to several new hotels, including the Hyatt Place Philadelphia/King of Prussia, which opened in late 2010 with 129 guest rooms and 1,000 square feet of meeting space. Set to open this year is the 147-room Hotel Sierra, adjacent to the King of Prussia Mall. It will have 3,200 square feet of meeting space.
In addition, the Best Western Inn at King of Prussia recently completed an $11 million renovation, and it plans to open a 68-room addition with 2,000 square feet of meeting space this spring.
In Lancaster County, the Willow Valley Resort and Conference Center underwent a $9 million renovation to become two separate properties: the 185-room Doubletree Resort Willow Valley/Lancaster and the 160-room Willow Valley Inn and Suites. Guests can enjoy access to the full amenities of both venues.
“We also have a number of recently renovated hotel properties, including the Best Western Premier Eden Resort and Suites, which will also complete a $2 million outdoor recreation upgrade by May,” said Cliff.
“And we are offering meeting planners a meetings incentive program for bookings issued and signed in 2011, as well as new corporate/organizations training courses offered by the Kitchen Kettle Village.”
Visit Erie
800-524-3743
www.visiteriepa.com
Valley Forge CVB
800-441-354
www.valleyforge.org
PA Dutch CVB
1-800-723-8824
www.padutchcountry.com
