More than 25 years have passed since the First Annual Symposium on Captive Propagation and Husbandry of Reptiles and Amphibians was held in July 1976, at Hood College in Fredrick, Maryland. The International Herpetological Symposium (IHS) evolved from this meeting. The primary purpose of the IHS is to provide a forum for the dissemination of information and results of such research pertaining to the natural history, conservation biology, captive management and propagation, of amphibians and reptiles.

Each year the IHS is held in a different location and is hosted by a Zoological, Herpetological, or Herpetocultural institution.

The purpose of the IHS is twofold, (1) to provide a yearly symposium for the dissemination of information and research pertaining to the natural history, conservation biology, captive management, and propagation of amphibians and reptiles, and (2) the publication of such information. Unlike most herpetological societies or associations, IHS does not have a voting membership, but an Electoral Body. That body consists of the members of the Board of Directors, the Advisory Council, Publication Editors, and Chairs of various committees. These individuals are selected from all areas of herpetology and herpetoculture. Zoologists, herpetologists, and private herpetoculturists are all involved in planning and organizing the annual symposia.

Over the years, an increasing number of people with varied interests in herpetology have attended IHS meetings, and this curious mix has allowed IHS to develop its "unique" flavor. While IHS is often visualized as an organization with an interesting blend of academia and herpetoculture, actually the types of people who attend the meetings far exceed those bounds. So whether it's a reptile breeder, a budding herpetologist, a natural historian, a wildlife artist, a commercial importer, a student, a veterinarian, a zoo keeper, an academician, or a dry-goods vendor, IHS usually has something for everyone.