[2][3] The society holds a large annual meeting, typically in late May or early June as well as other topical conferences and workshops.

The Society recognizes achievements and promotes academic research through four annual awards.

The Biemann Medal and the John B. Fenn Award for a Distinguished Contribution in Mass Spectrometry both are awarded in recognition of singular achievements or contributions in fundamental or applied mass spectrometry, with the Biemann Medal being focused on individuals who are early in their careers.

The past presidents of ASMS are:[6] The Society holds an annual conference in late May or early June as well as topical conferences (at Asilomar State Beach in California and Sanibel Island, Florida) and a fall workshop, which is also focused on a single topic.

Conferences on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics have been held yearly since 1953.