Bostrom
Bostrom is a 90+ year-old, privately held association management firm in Chicago providing full-service management, modular outsourcing, and consulting to roughly 30 U.S. professional societies, trade associations, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1932
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Bostrom does
Bostrom is a privately held association management company (AMC) headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a second office in Washington, DC. Founded in 1932 as Storms & Wescott and rebranded under Glenn Bostrom in 1963, the firm has operated continuously for over 90 years serving professional societies, trade associations, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations. Its service portfolio is organized into three core lines: Full Service Association Management (day-to-day operational management across membership, finance, technology, meetings, and marketing), Outsourcing Services (modular access to meetings, marketing, IT, HR, membership, education/certification, and finance), and Consulting Services (a la carte strategic advisory such as business model analysis, revenue diversification, and value proposition development). Differentiated delivery is anchored by "Agile Association Management," a trademarked methodology registered in 2012 that emphasizes iterative planning, cross-functional collaboration, and data-informed decision-making.
Bostrom serves roughly 30 client associations across diverse verticals including real estate (Missouri REALTORS, ~25,000 members), higher education (NACADA, 13,000+ members; ACUA), science (National Academy of Sciences, ASLO), entertainment (Casting Society), and numerous certified professional bodies (NAB, BCEN, ISHA). The business model is managed services: each engagement is customized and quote-based rather than tier-priced, with revenue tied to dedicated account teams and shared back-office, finance, and IT infrastructure across multiple clients. The firm holds AMC Institute accreditation, was the first AMC to achieve ASAE Alliance Partner status (renewed through 2028), and publishes the "AI Agile" guides and the b.cast podcast for thought leadership.
There is no software product, public API, or proprietary AI model; Bostrom is a pure professional services firm. Marketing is sales-led and consultative, relying on content marketing, the Knowledge Center, social media, ASAE event participation, partner referrals, and direct outreach to association boards and executives. Recent strategic activity in 2024-2025 includes an international strategic alliance with Kenes Group, multiple new client wins, expansion of the consulting division, and the launch of AI readiness advisory guides, executed while transitioning to a new executive leadership team under CEO John Dee (appointed 2023).
Bostrom firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bostrom
- Legal name
- Bostrom
- Website
- https://bostrom.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1932
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Bostrom is a 90+ year-old, privately held association management firm in Chicago providing full-service management, modular outsourcing, and consulting to roughly 30 U.S. professional societies, trade associations, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Bostrom is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Bostrom business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Association Management Services: Bostrom generates revenue through comprehensive management services provided to professional societies, trade associations, foundations, and not-for-profits. Services include full management, consulting, and outsourcing solutions with scalability and efficiency.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Bostrom product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bostrom is an association management company that provides comprehensive day-to-day management, customized outsourcing, and a la carte consulting to professional societies, trade associations, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations. Services span membership growth and engagement, financial management, technology solutions, meetings and event management, marketing, human resources, and education/certification, all delivered through its proprietary Agile Association Management© methodology.
Product overview
Bostrom is an association management company that provides consulting, outsourcing, and comprehensive management services to professional societies, trade associations, foundations, and not-for-profits. With over 90 years of experience, the company operates through three core service offerings: Full Service Association Management (providing day-to-day operational management), Outsourcing Services (allowing clients to customize specific service packages), and Consulting Services (a la carte strategic advisory). These services are delivered through the company's proprietary Agile Association Management© methodology. Supporting offerings include AI Readiness Guides (AI Guide 1.0 and 2.0), a Knowledge Center with articles and case studies, and the b.cast podcast series. Bostrom does not offer a software product with technical integrations but rather provides professional services across areas including membership services, meetings, marketing, IT, HR, financial management, and education/certification.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Agile Association Management: Bostrom's trademarked agile approach to serving the association market, providing flexible, integrated environment using industry standard frameworks.
- AI Agile
Products and services
- Full Service Association Management Comprehensive day-to-day and ongoing management for professional societies, trade associations, foundations, and not-for-profits. Includes membership growth and engagement, financial management, technology solutions, meetings and event management, and marketing support. Target buyers: association boards and executive leadership seeking to outsource operations.
- Outsourcing Services Customizable outsourcing solutions allowing associations to access specific Bostrom functions without full-service management. Service areas include Meetings, Marketing, IT, Human Resources, Membership Services, Education & Certification, and Financial Management. Target buyers: not-for-profit organizations with targeted operational gaps.
- Consulting Services A la carte consulting services led by thought leaders for targeted project support. Offerings include enterprise-wide organizational analysis, business model analysis and strategic planning, membership model analysis, education and credentialing program analysis, revenue diversification, and customer persona, journey mapping, and value proposition development. Target buyers: association executives seeking strategic advisory.
- AI Readiness Guides (AI Guide 1.0 and AI Guide 2.0) Educational guides (AI Guide 1.0 released January 2025, AI Guide 2.0 released October 2025) helping associations understand and implement AI. Includes governance frameworks, guardrails, training roadmaps, prompts, and oversight frameworks for embedding AI into daily work safely and ethically. Target audience: association executives considering AI adoption.
Quantifiable outcome
- Average net asset growth from 2021 to 2022 across managed associations
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Bostrom
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Bostrom technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Bostrom partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and flagship.
- NACADA: The Global Community for Academic AdvisingstrategicNACADA selected Bostrom to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study exploring two major initiatives aimed at advancing the profession of academic advising: certification and institutional recognition programs.
- American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)coreBostrom was selected by ASHI for comprehensive event management services. ASHI, founded in 1976, sets the standard for home inspection excellence.
- ASAE (American Society of Association Executives)coreBostrom renewed its three-year Alliance Partnership with ASAE through 2028. This partnership reaffirms Bostrom's commitment to helping associations achieve their missions through insight, innovation, and professional development. Bostrom was the first AMC to become an Alliance Partner with ASAE.
- Kenes GroupstrategicBostrom and Kenes Group formed a strategic alliance combining 150+ years of expertise and serving 220,000+ members annually. The partnership focuses on global association growth and conference innovation, including joint webinars on global revenue growth for associations.
- Casting Society and Casting Society CarescoreBostrom selected for comprehensive association and executive office management for Casting Society and Casting Society Cares.
- National Academy of SciencesflagshipThe National Academy of Sciences selected Bostrom as its consulting partner to conduct a business structure and process review.
- Tennis Industry AssociationstrategicBostrom selected by Tennis Industry Association for nonprofit management services.
- Association of College & University AuditorsstrategicBostrom selected by ACUA for management services supporting higher education internal auditors.
- Association for the Sciences of Limnology and OceanographystrategicBostrom selected for business management services for ASLO, supporting aquatic science professionals.
- National Association for Catering and Events (NACE)strategicBostrom expanded management services for NACE to support catering and events professionals.
- CFA Society BostonstrategicBostrom Consulting selected for transformation engagement with CFA Society Boston.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bostrom competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SmithBucklin: The largest Association Management Company (AMC) in the United States, serving hundreds of trade associations, professional societies, and membership organizations across all major verticals. Directly comparable to Bostrom as both offer full-service AMC outsourcing with the same portfolio of services (membership, meetings, marketing, finance, advocacy), but SmithBucklin operates at materially greater scale and geographic reach.
- Virtual Inc. A mid-sized accredited AMC providing full-service association management to technology and standards-focused organizations. Directly comparable to Bostrom in focused full-service AMC model, similar client roster of professional societies and trade associations, and parallel service offerings across membership, meetings, and operations.
- Kellen Company: A global AMC providing management, consulting, and event services to trade associations and professional societies. Directly comparable to Bostrom across all three service lines (full management, outsourcing, consulting) and similar client roster of professional and industry associations, with broader international presence.
- Association Headquarters (AH): A full-service AMC providing management services to professional and trade associations, primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. Comparable to Bostrom in service model, AMC accreditation status, and target client type, with similar focus on small to mid-sized associations that need a full operating partner.
- Management Solutions Plus (MSP): An AMC accredited by the AMC Institute providing association management, outsourcing, and consulting services to professional societies and trade associations. Directly comparable to Bostrom in accreditation standing, service portfolio, and target client segment, with similar mid-sized operating profile.
- Kenes Group: A global Association Management Company and Professional Conference Organizer (PCO) with which Bostrom formed a 2024 strategic alliance. Directly comparable as a peer in international association management, with particular strength in conference and event management for medical and scientific associations, complementing Bostrom's US-centric association management portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- MCI Group: A large global events, association management, and consulting firm with significantly broader service portfolio than Bostrom. Comparable as an association management and meetings competitor at a much larger scale, with deeper international reach but less specialization in the small-to-mid-sized US association niche Bostrom serves.
Others
- AMC Institute: The industry trade association for Association Management Companies, of which Bostrom is an accredited member and whose chairmanship Bostrom executives have held multiple times. Not a direct competitor but a relevant industry body whose accreditation standards, peer recognition, and Best Practices framework shape the competitive environment in which Bostrom operates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bostrom social profiles
Digital presenceBostrom financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bostrom leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Bostrom funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bostrom M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bostrom
What does Bostrom do?
Bostrom is an association management company that provides comprehensive day-to-day management, customized outsourcing, and a la carte consulting to professional societies, trade associations, foundations, and not-for-profit organizations. Services span membership growth and engagement, financial management, technology solutions, meetings and event management, marketing, human resources, and education/certification, all delivered through its proprietary Agile Association Management© methodology.
Is Bostrom a public or private company?
Bostrom is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Bostrom founded?
Bostrom was founded in 1932. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Bostrom based?
Bostrom is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bostrom make money?
One revenue line is on record: association Management Services.
Who are Bostrom's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SmithBucklin, Virtual Inc., Kellen Company, Association Headquarters (AH), Management Solutions Plus (MSP) and Kenes Group. MCI Group is listed as a broad incumbent. AMC Institute is listed as an others.
Does Bostrom have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bostrom.