EAI’s story begins with founders James Slawny and Joe Lotharius. In 1982, with two staff members, EAI opened its doors in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, and served a single organization – the American College of Allergists, which later changed its name to American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).
Today, nearly four decades later, EAI continues working to fulfill the promise of Mr. Slawny’s vision. Our staff of nearly 40 talented professionals offers growth-focused, best-in-class, flexible resources to 7 national and international health care associations and foundations.
Here’s a look back at some of our milestones:
1982
EAI was founded by James Slawny and Joe Lotharius in Mt. Prospect, Illinois and began serving the American College of Allergists.
1986
EAI acquired its second client, the American Association of Certified Allergists.
1990
EAI’s headquarters moved to a larger facility in Palatine, Illinois to accommodate the growing company and client base.
1991
EAI produced the first of 23 successful fundraisers for ACAAI, which featured such stars over the years as Tony Bennett, Kenny Rogers, Dana Carvey, Willie Nelson, Wayne Brady, Crystal Gayle, the Boston Pops and Jay Leno.
1993
EAI moved to its present location, just 20 miles from downtown Chicago and eight miles from O’Hare International Airport.
1999
EAI helped launch the ACAAI Foundation.
2000
EAI assumed management of the Academy of Osseointegration (AO) and its Foundation.
2005
To accommodate client growth, EAI expanded its office space to more than 12,000 square feet.
2007
EAI established a Corporate Development Department to support increasing client needs to develop non-dues revenue.
2008
Total assets of EAI clients surpassed $60 million.
2009
EAI launched a $7.5 million marketing and public relations campaign for ACAAI – an example of how EAI supports clients by building reserves to fund major initiatives.
2010
EAI grew AO membership from 3,800 in 2000 to over 6,000 in 2010. When AO initially joined EAI in 2000, its membership was declining and the organization was nearly insolvent.
EAI was accredited by the AMC Institute, the global accrediting agency for the association management industry, and became one of the approximately 15 percent of association management companies to achieve such accreditation.
2011
EAI expanded its Continuing Medical Education (CME) Department to assist clients in meeting increasingly stringent requirements of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
2012
EAI led ACAAI to achieve the most prestigious level of recognition from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education – six year accreditation with commendation.
EAI celebrated 30 years of excellence in association management.
2014
EAI assumed management of the American Board of Pain Medicine.
2015
EAI assumed management of the ACAAI Advocacy Council (formerly the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology).
2017
Under EAI’s management, ACAAI was re-accredited with commendation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
EAI launched a new online Practice Management Center for ACAAI, with toolkits designed to make the society’s many member resources more accessible and new interactive tools designed with the needs of practicing allergists in mind.
2019
EAI assumed management of the Society for Clinical Trials.