David Rosenberg (center) and Hal McEvoy (right) perform ribbon-cutting duties with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings
IAAPA has officially opened its new headquarters building in Orlando, providing the sector with a custom-built facility that it says is uniquely designed to support its members.
As reported by Global Amusements & Play, “The 22,000sq ft (6,700sq m) building, set within seven acres, includes meeting rooms, special event space and workstations. It has been designed to “reflect the diversity of the attractions industry”, the organization said, with an exterior wave pattern and artistic elements such as a colorful mural and varying ceiling heights inside.
Further amenities include a spacious patio, outdoor kitchen and seating overlooking the natural landscape near the headwaters of the Florida Everglades.
The new headquarters is also home to IAAPA’s North America regional office. Around 50 of IAAPA’s 73 employees are based in Orlando
“Orlando is the heart of the attractions industry, and the perfect location for IAAPA,” said IAAPA chair David Rosenberg. “The headquarters will serve as the place for industry professionals to come together, to work and to collaborate. It’s also perfectly positioned to support the association’s global operations.”
Hal McEvoy, president and CEO of IAAPA. added: “We look forward to engaging and collaborating with members when they are in town and continuing to serve the global attractions industry. This building is the result of three years of hard work and teamwork with our members and many community partners and organizations, who came together to create this amazing space.”
What this could mean?
IAAPA’s moving its headquarters from Washington, DC to Orlando makes perfect sense when looking at the ‘Big Picture’. Sure, it was difficult for many of the IAAPA employees who were not able to make the move, but Orlando ‘is’ the home of the attractions industry.
IAAPA now being ‘hands-on’ with many of the industry’s top suppliers who frequently visit Orlando (few have reason to visit Washington, DC other than for lobbying). IAAPA still maintains lobbying connections and efforts, just as our other industry associations do, when it comes to visiting congressional offices and other key government officials. It also makes it much easier for many more IAAPA staff to be at the IAAPA Expo and work closer with both Exhibitors and Attendees. All in all, an increase in operating efficiency across the spectrum.
