After inviting seven people to an on-site project kick-off, a key stakeholder declines because they will be at another location for the rest of the month. What should the project manager do?

The best option is to arrange for the stakeholder to join virtually. This ensures the key stakeholder's participation and input at the scheduled kick-off, which is crucial for project success and buy-in. Changing the kick-off to a virtual meeting for everyone might be an option, but it could diminish the benefits of an in-person meeting for those who can attend. Holding the kick-off without a key stakeholder is risky as it excludes critical input and could lead to rework or lack of support later. Rescheduling for next month would cause an unnecessary delay to the project start.