The International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions developed as a result of the success of the biennial symposium series. These began in Bielefeld in 1982 when Alf Puhler organized a meeting to bring together scientists interested in applying molecular genetics to problems of interactions of microbes with plants. Our area of science grew rapidly, shown by the increase in numbers of
participants at successive symposia, and informal discussions were held about the founding of a society to promote the advancement of the science. An Interim Board was established following a ballot of the participants at the 1988 Acapulco symposium. Much of the work of negotiating and drafting the Bylaws was undertaken by Desh Pal Verma, the founding President of the Society. The Board approved the Bylaws at its meeting in Interlaken in 1990, and the Society was formally inaugurated on 7th September 1990. The administration of the Society is carried out by the Business Executive, Steven C. Nelson, who is also Executive Vice-President of the American Phytopathological Society (APS).
