Penn State has been in the news recently for its football coaching scandal but that has done nothing to dim the allure of the area for its 24 campuses that remain highly attractive as local cultural and historical destinations for meetings.

With standard hotel meeting spaces, ”You can combine the usual or you can combine education with history and culture for an even better experience,” Betsey Howell of the Central Pennsylvania CVB told MeetingsFocusEast.

An added bonus is that meeting-goers can receive continuing education while visiting here.

Facilities for meetings include the 58,000 square feet of space at the 300-room Penn State Conference Center hotel, which is the area’s premier conference property.

But there are various other venues that include the 30-acre all-natural Arboretum adjacent to the Penn State campus. It’s known for its scenic outdoor events.

“With the pavilion accommodating up to 200 for ceremonies, 300 for cocktails and 95 for seated dinners, guests can stroll through specialty gardens filled with more than 700 species of plants,” said Kate Reeder, the event and marketing coordinator.

Other venues:

—To put a different stamp on any meeting, there’s the American Philatelic Center, a red brick building that is a national historic site that is the world’s largest nonprofit organization for stamp collectors. There are various programs offered for meeting-goers as well. “Approximately 5,000 square feet of meeting space is available for groups,” said Ken Martin, executive director. It can accommodate up to about 200 people, theatre style.

—The Nittany Lion Inn, University Park, is a grand, 223-room hotel with 25,000 square feet of meeting space. The Inn is within reach of many other attractions including Penn State’s Blue and White golf courses.

—The Palmer Museum of Art has 11 galleries and a 150-seat auditorium and can accommodate groups of up to 120 people.

—The Centre Furnace Mansion is a historic, restored 19^th century home on the Pennsylvania State University campus that is surrounded by 200 acres of land. It can accommodate groups of up to 150 people in a garden setting. “The mansion’s interior Hearth Room can accommodate up to 50 guests, and with hotels and restaurants nearby, group tours of the property are available by appointment,” said Mary Sorenson, executive director.

 By David Wilkening