News

The Greeting Card Association (GCA) has hired Bostrom Corporation as 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.

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. Current executive vice president Patti Stracher will continue in her position at GLM as vice president and NSS show director.

“The GCA has enjoyed a period of great success under the watch of Patti Stracher and the GLM management team,” said GCA President Susan January, vice president at Leanin’ Tree. “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.”

“I am honored to become the GCA’s executive director during a dynamic time of opportunity,” Rankin said. “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.”

“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,” Stracher said. “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.”

 For more information, visit www.greetingcard.org.