The First International Masonry Conference was organized by the British Masonry Society and held in November 1986 in London in order to exchange experiences, meaning and needs of masonry and its constituents in the UK, Europe and the whole world. This Conference series, now organized by the International Masonry Society, has become one of the most important international events in the masonry world and it takes place every four years.

Most historic buildings are invariably built of masonry, a material as old as the Civilization and with a 10,000 years record of success and lasting qualities. The future is limited only by the designer, constructor or industry inability to consider a masonry perspective on a building challenge. The conference is open to professional architects and engineers, building officials, educators, researchers, students, masonry industry and masonry construction professionals, and everyone else interested in the art and science of masonry. The objective is to make the conference the best forum for dissemination of the latest scientific and technical developments and for exchange of new ideas in emerging topics.