QRCA was born from an idea Judy Langer had to gather New York City qualitative researchers together to share their stories. What followed was that a group of 26 NYC based qualitative consultants got together at Dresner’s restaurant, 88th St. & 2nd Ave., early in 1983. The culmination of that get-together was the belief that the interaction and feedback they were getting was worth formalizing into an organization with a structure and a purpose. During these early days they would have periodic general meetings for the membership, chaired by a rotation of moderators, which continued even after the official Board of Directors was formed.

The organization was officially announced on October 19, 1983 at an AMA Qualitative Research panel discussion at the NYC Grand Hyatt Hotel and via press release. The first Board of Directors were elected on October 15, 1983 and was lead by Judy Langer as President, Frank Kennedy as Vice President, Elizabeth Hardwick as Secretary and Elizabeth Donovan as Treasurer. Directors were Annette Bamundo, J.R. Harris, Hy Mariampolski, Leon Schiffman and Bill Weylock. The meeting was held at Judy’s Manhattan apartment on the Upper East Side and like all good qualitative researchers, food was served.