Dear IAAPA Members:
We’re drawing to the end of an important—albeit hectic—year for IAAPA. Our global headquarters is now relocated and established in Orlando, so I’d like to thank the entire IAAPA staff, as well as the numerous IAAPA members who helped make this transition happen as seamlessly as possible.
While I’ve lived in Orlando for a good chunk of my life, I’ve been reminded anew since returning how important IAAPA is to this community. When I’m asked about my job, saying “IAAPA” means a lot to people here, whether they work in the attractions industry or know us from IAAPA Attractions Expo, held here at the Orange County Convention Center every November. We’ve also felt a large amount of support from public officials and other community leaders, which just helps make the transition even easier.
Now that we’re here, though, we are already looking to the future—both short-term and long-term. In the coming months, you’ll be hearing more about how the association will honor our centennial in 2018. Spending our first full year in Orlando during this celebration is perfect timing, because this move is about setting IAAPA up to grow and succeed for the next 100 years. We are currently in a temporary office space not far from the convention center, but we are deep into plans for a new, permanent headquarters building located nearby that is set to open in 2019. Our goal is to create a place where you, our members, will want to visit while you’re in town—a comfortable, versatile structure that will allow us to expand our programming and enrich the content we deliver to you throughout the year. We want to become as fundamental to your stay in Orlando as a business meeting or a trip to an attraction.
Thank you for your support during this time of transition. We are so excited about the future of our organization and the future of this industry we love and serve. Next time you’re in Orlando, stop by and say hello!
Sincerely,
Paul Noland
IAAPA President and CEO