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Orlando Relocation Project Plan
Orlando Relocation Project Plan
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Plan Overview
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is the official global
trade association of the attractions industry. IAAPA has offices in Shanghai, Rio, Brussels, Orlando, and is
headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. The association was founded in 1916 and has a membership of
over 4,000 companies. IAAPA’s membership is made up of zoos, family entertainment centers (FECs),
museums, aquariums, amusement parks, manufacturers, and suppliers located around the world. The
trade association serves its membership through education, advocacy, research, crisis support, trade
shows, networking events, and regulation. IAAPA is best known for its annual trade show, the IAAPA
Attractions Expo, that takes place in Orlando, Florida and is the 5th largest trade show in the United
States. IAAPA’s CEO answers to a board of directors comprised of twenty-four industry executives. A
strong majority of these industry executives are based out of Orlando, which is widely looked to as the
epicenter of the attractions industry. Over the last few years, more and more board members have
begun to voice their belief that IAAPA would function better and serve its membership more efficiently
if it was headquartered in Orlando. Due to this, the IAAPA board approved a business feasibility study to
be conducted. A business feasibility study is defined as “a controlled process for identifying problems
and opportunities, determining objectives, describing situations, defining successful outcomes, and
assessing the range of costs and benefits associated with serval alternatives for solving a problem.
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This paper will go over in detail the project plan established to implement the results of
conducted business feasibility study that IAAPA conducted to determine if the association would
function more efficiently in Orlando opposed to Alexandria. The feasibility study ultimately concluded
the IAAPA would function more efficiently and save a significant amount of money by relocating to
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Zawde, C. (2007). Feasibility study: Preparation and analysis. Newark, Del: Princeton Commercial Holdings.
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Orlando and the feasibility study’s authors recommended the office relocate immediately. This
recommendation by the study’s authors is looked to as informed and trustworthy because a “business
feasibility study is used to support the decision-making process based on a cost-benefit analysis of the
actual business or project viability.
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” After viewing the results of the feasibility study, the IAAPA Board
has approved the headquarters’ relocation to Orlando starting as soon as possible. Upon completion of
the project, the project manager will have executed all the actions that needed to be taken and
overseen the successful and legal relocation of the entire IAAPA HQ office.
Objectives
There are many factors that must be considered, action that must be taken, and a significant
amount information that must be attained in order to properly move IAAPA HQ. The objectives that
must be met in the Orlando Relocation Project Plan are: 1.) The sale of the Alexandria office building and
the purchase and acquisition of a new office building in Orlando 2.) Employee retention i.e. keeping
morale high among HQ staff willing to relocate in order to retain them for the long-term once relocated.
3.) Employee recruitment: i.e. begin employee recruitment in Orlando, while still enticing Washington,
D.C. trade association professionals. 4.) Provide relocation services for the staff, their families, and their
property to Orlando 5.) Afford and legally distribute severance packages and incentive raises for IAAPA
HQ staff 5.) Register and receive tax benefits for associations and businesses in Orlando. 6.) Measure
overall sentiment of IAAPA’s membership regarding the move and quell the growing belief among
smaller non- Orlando based members that the association favors its larger Orlando based members and
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Angel, G. M., Cuevas, J. G., & Ribeiro, D. (2008). Entrepreneurship and business: A regional perspective. Berlin:
Springer.
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the relocation was prompted to better serve them. In order to reach these objectives in time for the set
deadline date of the summer of 2018 and be able to resume normal business operations, the Orlando
Relocation Project Plan must adhere to a strict schedule of tasks and deadlines.
General Approach
The general approach of the Orlando Relocation Project Plan is to be as up front and transparent
with IAAPA HQ employees as possible, informing them as the process progresses, and be receptive and
approachable regarding employee concerns. IAAPA leadership believes that being as honest as possible
yields the highest possibility of keeping employee morale high and retaining the staff for the long term
once in Orlando, which in turn would remove the concern about talent recruitment in Orlando and
sustain long-time working relationships between HQ employees and IAAPA members. The IAAPA board
has faith that as long as the project stays on schedule it will be successfully completed and ready to
