Fall in downtown Jim Thorpe, PA; photo courtesy: Pocono Mountains CVB
quarters for building and repairing locomotives, the city became a valuable economic player from the Civil War through the Industrial Revolution and on into the years of World War II.
groups can incorporate a group lesson and full or partial day lift tickets into their program. “In addition to our on-site attractions, Camelback Resort hosts a bevy of entertaining events and activities all yearlong for guests to enjoy,” explains Lattinville. “From balloon twisting and donut decorating to magic shows and movie nights, guests are treated to fun at every turn. New this year are nearby excursions to allow guests to immerse themselves in all that the Pocono Mountains have to offer, including horseback riding, whitewater rafting and winery tours.” Also available are guided hikes, the resort’s Euro-Bungie, Vertical Climbing Challenge and new UTV tours. An afterhours Galactic Snow Tubing experience is “the perfect winter team bonding event. Groups enjoy the thrill of racing one another downhill on tubes after dark, then warming up by the fire pits with a steaming cup of hot cocoa or a spirited libation. And our Tacos and More food truck serves up delicious street tacos at the tubing hill,” Lattinville notes. “Corporate event planners have expressed an overwhelming need to get their teams reconnected,” observes Lattinville. “After working remotely and connecting solely via Zoom or Teams, companies are looking for ways to re36 september z October 2021
establish corporate culture and connect employees on a deeper, more meaningful level. In many cases, the social aspect of the program has become more important than ever. Camelback Resort checks off all the boxes. With beautiful meeting space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and mountain views, a wide variety of indoor and outdoor dining options, and year-round unique team building and team bonding activities - Camelback has it all.” Altoona is situated in the heart of Central Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains between I-80 and I-99, making it an easily accessible drive-to destination. “Not only can the market draw from the potential of seven-million attendees from within a three-hour drive radius, but the destination also offers a variety of cost-effective meeting and event venues – from the state-of-theart Blair County Convention Center and the multi-purpose Jaffa Shrine Center to the unique White Oak Hall located at Fort Roberdeau, the western-most Revolutionary War site in America,” says Mark Ickes, executive director of Explore Altoona. The city is located on the eastern slope of the Allegheny Mountains and is proud of its unique history as a railroad hub. Established in 1849 by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as head-
Today, Altoona’s industrial heritage, history, culture and outstanding natural resources have helped position it as a thriving 21st century business community and an emerging leisure and business travel destination. The Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum, the country’s only interactive railroaders’ museum, commemorates and celebrates the significant contributions of the city’s railroaders and their families to American culture and industrial heritage. The museum offers six event spaces, including a lobby, theater, bar and museum railroad yard. The famous Horseshoe Curve opened in 1854 as one of the world’s most significant engineering marvels at the eastern base of the Allegheny Mountains as a more efficient method of moving trains in America’s westward expansion. Now a National Historic Landmark, the Horseshoe Curve can accommodate up to 150 guests for a courtyard reception and up to 75 for an event within its visitor center. Lakemont Park, celebrating its 125th anniversary, has reopened after a major transformation as a gathering place with a selection of traditional amusements, newly designed mini golf courses, paddle boats, picnic pavilions, and new facilities for team building sessions. The Casino at Lakemont Park, with its own unique park-like ambiance, offers flexible banquet, meeting and event space.
