As APTA approaches its centennial in 2021, the association is charting a course for a series of bold moves, and at least one of those moves will be about as literal as it gets: relocation to a newly constructed headquarters designed to "support the profession's future."
The plans were announced by APTA President Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, during her address to the APTA House of Delegates, the association's primary policymaking body, which is meeting this week in Boston.
Dunn's announcement about APTA's relocation came as she described bold moves the association's Board of Directors would like to make in the coming years.
Dunn said that the workplace and workforce move is "fast becoming a reality," telling the House that "after two years of exhaustive investigation, the [APTA Board of Directors] is confident this move is in the association's best interest. It is both financially sound and advisable and it will be a significant investment in the future of our association, supporting the next generation of members and leaders."
The new headquarters will be in Potomac Yard, a rapidly expanding residential, retail, and office area less than two miles from the current APTA offices near Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The current APTA home was built in 1983, when the association was considerably smaller and workplace needs were different. Construction on the new offices is anticipated to be completed in 2021 in time for the celebration of APTA's centennial.
Dunn described the entire set of bold moves as "ambitious" but within the association's grasp.
"We are in a unique moment in our history to take on these challenges," Dunn said. "Clearly, we have a vision that supports this kind of thinking, and we have developed a culture of engagement and collaboration. We are better together—and together, it's time to act."