IAAPA shows off design for Orlando headquarters
21,375 square feet on about seven acres near the Darden headquarters.
IAAPA has long been an annual visitor to Orlando, throwing a massive expo at Orange County Convention Center. But as of this summer, IAAPA is a permanent, year-round resident, leaving behind its space-squeezed headquarters in suburban Washington, D.C.
The association is entering its 100th year.
The draw of Orlando was not only because of its attractionmanufacturer-vendor base, Paul Noland, IAAPA’s president and CEO, previously told the Sentinel. The number of members visiting Florida during the year also was attractive, visiting Disney World, Universal Orlando, International Drive, the convention center and other attractions.
IAAPA’s first expo in Orlando was in 2003. More than 36,000 attendees and 1,100 exhibitors are on hand for this year’s event, which isn’t open to the public. Membership comes from 104 countries.
IAAPA is temporarily housed in an office complex in south Orlando. The association has previously said it plans to move in to the new HQ in summer 2019.
The project is seeking incentives. The state would provide $192,000. Orange County would pay $48,000 over a five-year period.
IAAPA says it would create 40 new jobs in Orange County with an average annual salary of $65,834. That's 150 percent of the average Orange County salary of $43,889.
Thirty people would work here by the end of 2017. Ten more would be here by late 2018.
IAAPA said it would employ 27 people in administrative positions and six in management. There would also be seven communications jobs.