The Coblentz Society was founded in 1954 and has as its purpose "to foster the understanding and application of vibrational spectroscopy". For many years the Coblentz Society offered training courses for those new to vibrational spectroscopy.

    In 2006 the Coblentz Society formalized a long-standing relationship with IR Courses, and IR Courses is now affiliated with the Society. This relationship stems from the founding purpose of the Society and the purpose of IR Courses namely to "provide continuing education resources for vibrational spectroscopy." IR Courses offers training courses in several locations including the Annual IR Course at Bowdoin College, New Brunswick, Maine and sponsors the Lord lecture held at this meeting.