Hershey, PA Event Planning

Key Highlights

Hotels	19
Total Sleeping Rooms	1,419
Largest Exhibit Space	46,508 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate	USD $114
Average Daily Meal Cost	USD $51
Average Weekly Car Rental	USD $375

Hershey, PA Meeting Planning Overview

Groups arriving in Hershey, PA, will likely smell the sweet scent of chocolate lingering in the air. But while the wrapped and unwrapped Hershey's Kisses street lights that dot the downtown landscape will surely delight them, Hershey's exceptional meeting space, lodging options and unparalleled hospitality will ensure their meetings' success.

Hershey (trademarked "The Sweetest Place on Earth") is centrally located for regional meetings; an easy drive from major Mid-Atlantic cities – just three hours or less from New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Groups fly into the region's modern and easily accessible Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) just 15 minutes away from Hershey. Service from seven major airlines makes it easy to connect your attendees from across the country with the attractions and meeting options in South Central Pennsylvania.

The Hershey Lodge is one of the state's largest convention resorts with 665 rooms, ballroom, convention space and breakout rooms. The Lodge is a full-service resort featuring 100,000 total square feet of meeting space, which includes the largest hotel ballroom in the area, at 32,000 square feet. World-class speakers, politicians, philanthropists, industry experts, entertainers and more have graced the halls of The Hershey Lodge.

The elegant and stately Hotel Hershey offers 278 guest rooms and nearly 25,000 square feet of meeting space. "Grand Expansion" renovations in 2009 resulted in a new dramatic front entrance, 10 new luxury Guest Cottages (perfect for executive retreats, team building sessions and multi-generational travel), a multi-pool swimming complex with infinity pool, year-round ice skating, recreation areas, new boutiques and the 130-seat Harvest restaurant, featuring "field to fork" fresh, local ingredients. The expansion was awarded LEED Silver certification in 2010, the first hotel in Pennsylvania to meet the rigorous requirements.

The two properties are part of Hershey Meetings, a division of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, which also includes nearly two dozen dining options plus four golf courses as part of the Hershey Golf Collection. No trip would be complete without experiencing the relaxing and exhilarating treatments at The Spa at Hotel Hershey – bathe in chocolate or have a Cuban mint scrub. Nearby hallmark attractions Hersheypark, Hershey's Chocolate World, Hershey Gardens and ZooAmerica North American WildLife Park round out the top-notch experiences groups can experience while visiting here. New to Hershey Meetings is the destination management company Hershey Destination Services, which can provide keynote speakers, ground transportation, entertainment options, dining reservations, chocolate tastings and more! They will also work closely with the Hershey Leadership and Development Center (also known as Hershey Outfitters) to create group team building activities.

In addition to the hotels affiliated with Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, a handful of select service properties in the Hershey area also provide limited meeting space such as the Hampton Inn & Suites Hershey, SpringHill Suites Hershey Near the Park, Days Inn Hershey, Quality Inn & Suites Hershey, Best Western Hershey and Howard Johnson Inn Hershey.

About Hershey, PA / Additional Info

The iconic town of Hershey, PA, owes its very existence to Milton S. Hershey, the confectioner turned entrepreneur turned "chocolate emperor" and town benefactor. He didn't just build a factory; he built a town that people are proud to call home and where guests are welcomed daily to share in the story and the experience.

Many visitors may not realize that Milton S. Hershey started a town trolley system, founded a school for orphan boys and conceived of one of the country's best-known amusement parks, Hersheypark, where his employees could relax and picnic during breaks. He started Zoo America with 12 prairie dogs and two American black bears.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Hershey's "Great Building Campaign" commenced, resulting in the Venetian-inspired Hershey Theater, a stunning backdrop for receptions and parties; as well as scheduling world-class entertainment and traveling Broadway productions each season.

Although many of Hershey's attractions revolve around milk chocolate and the man who made it famous, other attractions offer guests unique experiences as well, including the AACA Museum – A world Class Automotive Experience. Known for its vast array and display of antique automobiles, buses, motorcycles, memorabilia plus changing exhibits and exhaustive special events throughout the year, this is one museum groups will need to visit more than once. Groups can also shop at the Outlets at Hershey, then swing by the area's newest cool hangout: Troeg's Brewery, featuring a 5,000-square-foot tasting room that opens into an outdoor seating area, all with ample views of the brewhouse. Brewery-goers will be able to observe the brewing process first-hand and even take a self-guided tour along a window-lined hallway for an up-close view of the brewery. (Troeg's will also continue to provide guided tours of the brewhouse on designated days.)

Desserts aren't the only notable menu item in Hershey. Try the sports-themed The Bears Den complete with hockey rink decor at the Hershey Lodge or savor the extravagance of the Circular Dining Room at The Hotel Hershey. Downtown Hershey is dotted with numerous family-owned restaurants catering to the diversity of ethnicity and flavor of the region.

Hershey, PA Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Eastern Time (ET)

Hotel at Convention Center? No

Airport(s):

Harrisburg International Airport

Destination Type(s):

Golf Destination
Family Friendly

Special Event Venues
84
Population
13,026
Restaurants
50
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
6.00%
Currency
U.S. Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
N/A
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Hershey, PA

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Lancaster	30 mi	39 min	38 min	USD $97+
Gettysburg	36 mi	49 min	N/A	N/A
Wilmington	75 mi	1 hr 52 min	2 hr 55 min	USD $180+
Baltimore	90 mi	1 hr 31 min	1 hr 56 min	USD $315+
Philadelphia	95 mi	1 hr 51 min	39 min	USD $333+

Hershey, PA Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	35	39	49	61	71	79	83	81	73	63	51	40
Avg. Low (°F)	19	21	29	38	48	57	61	59	52	40	31	24
Rec. High (°F)	70	75	84	91	95	100	103	98	98	89	82	75
Rec. Low (°F)	-22	-12	-4	18	27	37	44	38	30	18	9	-2
Rainfall (in)	3.1	2.5	3.3	3.7	4.6	4.0	4.5	3.4	4.0	3.3	3.6	3.1

In the central part of Pennsylvania, Hershey enjoys four distinct seasons a year, with warm summers, cool winters and a moderate spring and fall. For groups that want to tap into Hersheypark for events and attractions, May and June are the most pleasant months; with average highs of 72 and 80 degrees F respectively (the park opens on weekends in early May and daily from late May through Labor Day). July is the hottest month, with an average high of 85 degrees, while January is the coldest with an average high of 36 degrees and low of 18 degrees. Precipitation is moderate but steady through the year, averaging 3 to 4 inches of rain or snow a month, and summers can be humid.

Hershey, PA Meeting Venue Spotlight

Hershey Lodge

Pennsylvania's largest convention resort features more than 100,000 square feet of meeting, convention and exhibition space to complement its 665 guest rooms. The centerpiece of the convention space for large groups is the Great American Hall, 32,000 square feet of dedicated exhibit space that was completely renovated in 2009. On the main level of the Lodge, the hall can accommodate up to 210 8' x 10' exhibit booths and features full drive-in access with a roll-up door that measures 12' x 14'. For receptions, the hall can accommodate up to 4,000 attendees or 3,500 with theater-style seating. It's also divisible into three smaller rooms: (the Red Room, White Room and Blue Room) and is served by the 7,092-square-foot Great Lobby for registration or additional reception space for up to 700. The Chocolate Ballroom, at 15,136 square feet, can accommodate another 100 exhibit booths or 1,500 guests for a reception; is also divisible into three; and has its own Chocolate Lobby for registration or receptions up to 500. The center features two other ballrooms and a total of 35 breakout rooms that can accommodate from 10 to 2,000 attendees.

In addition to business services such as a business center and wireless Internet access, planners can expect the highest level of service from a dedicated on-site audio-visual staff, as well as on-site teambuilding and communications training, Hershey Destination Services, and full catering capabilities.

The convention center is accessible via the hotel or through a separate convention entrance.

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Hershey, PA Airport Information

Harrisburg International Airport (MDT)

Approximate taxi fare: $20 USD

Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), 15 minutes from Hershey in Middletown, PA, is an easily manageable airport with nonstop service to 14 destinations and hundreds of connections. US Airways provides non-stop service to hubs in Charlotte, NC, and Philadelphia, as well as non-stop service to Boston and newly introduced service to New York's LaGuardia airport; United flies to hubs at Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles; Delta connects with its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati and Detroit; and Continental flies to its hubs in Newark, NJ, and Cleveland. Other non-stop destinations include Toronto, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. The airport can also accommodate charter flights.

Small, friendly and easy to navigate, the airport is also business-friendly, with free Wi Fi throughout, fee-based Internet kiosks, USPS, UPS, FedEx and DHL mailing centers, and even a massage therapist Monday through Friday 6 AM to noon. The Susquehanna Club is a free airport club designed for frequent fliers on any of the airlines that serve the airport, and provides access to a television lounge, private conference room, individual workstations, fax machine, copy machine and beverages Monday through Friday 5 AM to 6 PM. A nice homey touch: comfortable white rocking chairs scattered about the area before security. Several food options are available before entering security, including the full-service Varsity Grill & Sports Bar and a food court with McDonald's, Hudson News & Euro Cafe, McCafe and Breyers Ice Cream. Once past security, options include a Starbucks, Subway and Capital Cafe. Two Hudson News stores offer magazines, newspapers, books, snacks and more, and Perfectly Pennsylvania sells a range of souvenirs made in Pennsylvania.

Connected to the airport via a climate-controlled skybridge is the Multi-Modal Transportation Facility, a central point for all ground transportation needs, including hotel shuttles, taxis, car services, limos and buses. The building is also home to six car rental counters and has a seating area with regional tourism information.

Airline carriers serving Harrisburg International Airport

Air Canada
AirTran Airways

American Eagle
Continental Airlines

Delta Air Lines
United Airlines

Hershey, PA Public Transportation

Rail

Located in downtown Harrisburg, 15 minutes from Hershey, the Harrisburg Train Station is served by Amtrak. More than a dozen trains arrive daily from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, approximately a 1 hour and 45 minute trip. From New York City, there are nine direct trains, averaging three to three and a half hours. Taxi service is readily available at the train station, and costs approximately $25 to $30 to Hershey.

Shuttles

The Hershey Lodge and The Hotel Hershey both have shuttles available from the airport for guests staying overnight. Cost is $20 one way for guests at the Lodge and $25 one way for Hotel guests. Private shuttles and buses can also be arranged.

Rental Cars

Harrisburg International Airport is home to six rental car companies: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National. All have kiosks on the first floor of the Multi-Modal Transportation Facility, which is adjacent to the airport terminal.

Taxis

Taxi service is available from the airport to Hotel Hershey for approximately $20, and from the train station for $25-$30. Several area companies can also provide car and limousine service.

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Lancaster	30 mi	39 min	38 min	USD $97+
Gettysburg	36 mi	49 min	N/A	N/A
Wilmington	75 mi	1 hr 52 min	2 hr 55 min	USD $180+
Baltimore	90 mi	1 hr 31 min	1 hr 56 min	USD $315+
Philadelphia	95 mi	1 hr 51 min	39 min	USD $333+