Greeting Card Association Hires New Management Agency
The Greeting Card Association (GCA) has hired Bostrom Corporationas its new association management firm. Bostrom, an 80-year-old professional-services company with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C., will assume management of the GCA this July from GLM, which has managed the Association since 2010.
GLM is relinquishing management of the GCA in order to focus on its core competencies as a producer of events and tradeshows – including the National Stationery Show (NSS) and NY NOW – as well as to resume its longtime role as an active member of the Association.
“The GCA has enjoyed a period of great success under the watch of Executive Vice President Patti Stracher and the GLM management team. While we will miss their active daily management of the Association, we look forward to welcoming them back to the GCA as active members and friends to so many within the industry. We are so lucky to have GLM as good friends and supporters of our Association and our industry, and we will continue to benefit from their professionalism, friendship, commitment and enthusiasm.”
Bostrom’s management role will include oversight over all administrative functions, GCA regulatory and legislative issues, public relations, membership development, meetings and convention planning and execution, and financial matters. Bostrom’s official start date will be June 15, and there will be an active one-month transition between Bostrom and GLM prior to GLM’s end date of July 15 to ensure a seamless transition.
At that time, Bostrom Account Executive Natasha Rankin will assume the role of GCA Executive Director. Stracher will continue in her position at GLM as vice president and NSS show director. “I am honored to become the GCA’s executive director during a dynamic time of opportunity,” says Rankin. “I recognize the value of creating and maintaining personal connections, and I look forward to working with the GCA community to promote the essential role that greeting cards serve in helping express our relationships with the important people in our lives.”
States Stracher: “It has been my great privilege to serve the GCA in this executive role and, in particular, to work so closely with such a talented group of leaders over the years. GCA’s future is in excellent hands with Natasha and the Bostrom team. I am confident that the energy and competence they bring to the table will move GCA forward in very exciting ways.”
About the Greeting Card Association
The Greeting Card Association is the U.S. trade association of the greeting card industry. Established in 1941, the GCA represents greeting card and stationery publishers, as well as suppliers to the industry. Additionally, the GCA’s annual LOUIE Awards competition honors creative excellence in the industry, with winners announced at a gala in New York City each May. For additional information, please visitwww.greetingcard.org.
