Cohen and Hartung accept awards from Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association
Jack Cohen, Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau president, and Mars Mayor Gregg Hartung received awards from the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association for their contributions to the Butler community.
Cohen received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Hartung received the Spot On Innovation Award during the association’s annual conference Oct. 23 in Bedford.
Each year the event recognizes outstanding individuals and businesses for their service, community involvement and achievements in the hospitality and tourism industry.
Cohen said he has worked in the hospitality industry since he was a teenager. His career includes high level positions at Wendy’s, Chuck E. Cheese and various hotels.
He also was the former owner of the Safari Sam’s family entertainment center in Cranberry Township from 1994 to 2004.
Amy Pack, executive director at the Tourism Bureau, accepted the award on Cohen’s behalf.
“For me it was kind of a shock to be honored like that,” Cohen said. “I have been working with these folks (the association) for over 20 years now. They recognize the things we do here in Butler County and they want people to know, which is really nice.”
After facing the COVID-19 pandemic’s initial economic blows, Cohen feels the hospitality industry is primed to be better than ever moving forward.
“It looks like it could be our busiest year to date,” Cohen said. “Things are picking back up for other companies and they're bringing their people out again.”
Hartung has played a role in the design and organization of the Mars New Year festival, which celebrates the fascination with and curiosity of outer space and its exploration, which he feels made him a good candidate for the award.
“It was an honor, but I was also surprised,” Hartung said. “It was neat to be nominated because being nominated doesn't mean you get the award.”
Hartung said plans for the 2025 Mars New Year festival will begin in November, and he will work closely with the committee that helps put it together.
“It has my name on the award, but I feel like it should not be just my name, but all the volunteers and sponsors that help make that happen,” Hartung said.
