The International Society of Arachnology (ISA) promotes the study of arachnids and the exchange of information among researchers in this field.
A second meeting, again associated with the German Zoological Society, followed in Saarbrücken in 1961 organised by Otto Kraus, and attracted additional international participation.
During preparations for the Frankfurt meeting, Otto Kraus and the French zoologist Max Vachon discussed the establishment of a formal organisation to improve international cooperation among arachnologists.
Following her retirement from the post in 1998, administration of the society moved to Washington, D.C., with Jon Coddington at the United States National Museum taking over as Secretary.
The society is headed by an executive committee which includes a President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer and Webmaster; plus a number of ordinary council members.
Recipients are: Named after Paolo Marcello Brignoli, this award is given for a single piece or body of outstanding work.