The Greeting Card Association (GCA) has hired Bostrom Corp. 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 GCA in July from GLM, which has managed GCA since 2010.

GLM is relinquishing management of 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—and to resume its longtime role as an active member of GCA.

"The GCA has enjoyed a period of great success under the watch of Executive Vice President 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.”

Bostrom's management role will include oversight of 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.

At that time, Bostrom Account Executive Natasha Rankin will assume the role of GCA Executive Director. Stracher will continue in her position as GLM vice president and NSS show director.

"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."

Stracher said it has been her “great privilege” to serve the GCA and work with its leaders.

“GCA's future is in excellent hands with Natasha and the Bostrom team,” Stracher added. “I am confident that the energy and competence they bring to the table will move GCA forward in very exciting ways."

The Greeting Card Association is the U.S. trade association of the greeting card industry. For more information, visit www.greetingcard.org.

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