The first Institute program was convened in 1921 on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Throughout the 1920s, participants spent two weeks in residence at Institute for three consecutive years, with curriculum topics ranging from fundamental psychology to technical classes in publicity. A second program location was added in 1924 at Stanford University.
In the 1930s, the Institute program was shortened to one week, expanded to four locations, and the breadth of the curriculum became more focused on practical courses such as "Social Security Legislation and Business" as opposed to sessions focused on academic theory.
During the mid-1940s, the program added its fifth and sixth locations, the shift in curriculum continued, and coursework become almost entirely focused on technical instruction, including courses such as "Postwar Problems and Planning".
The 1950s saw the introduction of programs for Institute graduates, a reintroduction of academic theory courses into the curriculum, and the first relocation of Institute regional programs, as the Midwest Institute moved to the campus of Michigan State University.
During the 1960s, the Institute program was administered as two, three-year segments: Principles of Management, and Advanced Management Studies. A comprehensive program at the end of the decade resulted in the combination of the two programs into a single, seven-year program.
In the 1970s, the first Winter Institute was introduced, and the three-day Advanced Managers' Institute (now Institute of Advanced Management -- IAM) became firmly established.
The 1980s saw Institute go international, with a 1985 program in Costa Rica and a 1986 program in India.
In the 1990s, the Institute program expanded to eight Institute sites before rising operation costs led the Board of Trustees to recommend focusing on maintaining five regional Institute sites with a redevotion to quality.
Today, Institute remains a strong and ever-growing program, dedicated to the same principle of quality training for association and chamber leaders in 1921.
