Harrisburg, PA - April 23, 2012 –When the state’s tourism industry gathers at the Capitol to commemorate PA Tourism Day on Monday, April 30, 2012 at 3pm, leaders will share their personal journeys, which relates to the event’s theme, “I AM TOURISM.”

The PA Tourism Rally emcee is Steve Sikking, General Partner at the Fulton Steamboat Inn, a 100 room boutique themed hotel located in Lancaster. A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College with a long history in the hotel industry, Sikking also served as General Manager, Managing Partner- Best Western Eden Resort & Suites and Co-Owner of the Lancaster Hospitality Group-Hotel Management Company.

Rally speakers include professionals and public officials representing Pennsylvania’s $35.9 billion tourism industry. Representative Jerry Stern is a lifelong resident of Blair County, now serving his 10th term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.  Representative Stern currently serves as the Chairman of the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, which oversees the Commonwealth’s second-largest economic sector.

Kim Swartz is the Vice President of Edward O. Swartz and Associates Inc., and the Acting General Manager of Indian Echo Caverns.  A graduate of Bucknell University, she started at Indian Echo Caverns in 1990. Kim is currently serving as President of the PA Cave Association, with eight caves as members.

Representative Thaddeus Kirkland has been a member of the PA House of Representatives since 1993.  His legislative offices include Minority Chairman of the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee.

Carl F Crider Jr. is President of DelGrosso’s Amusement Park and President of the Pennsylvania Amusement Parks Association (PAPA).  This third generation member of the DelGrosso Family has owned and operated DelGrosso’s Amusement Park for 65 years and DelGrosso Foods Incorporated, the makers of DelGrosso Spaghetti Sauce, for 98 years. Carl is also Executive Board Member of the Allegheny Mountains Convention & Visitors Bureau (AMCVB) and Board Member of the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation (ABCD Corp).


The personal accounts and testimonies that will be shared at the rally provide insight into why Pennsylvania Tourism = Jobs.  Pennsylvania tourism accounts for more than 452,000 jobs or nearly seven percent of all individuals employed in the state.

The Tourism Rally, held at the PA State Capitol on Monday, April 30 at 3pm features a variety of costumed characters, sports mascots and historical re-enactors from attractions throughout the state to provide a visual representation of Pennsylvania tourism.  About a dozen artists representing the local art community will demonstrate their craft and display their works of art.

The public is invited to join in the celebration of the state’s tourism industry by attending the rally and expo at the Capitol from 10-4pm on Monday, April 30.

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