In 1951, the International Bartenders Association was established in Torquay, UK on the 24 February by 7 founding members (guilds), Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The first President was Mr Bill Tarling from UKBG, followed George Baker the next year, then by George Sieve of Switzerland, Pietro Grandi of Italy, and Kurt Sorensen of Denmark.

From 1963 to 1976 (14 years) the presidency was in Italy held by Mr Angelo Zola. Angelo Zola was also one of the founding members at the round table meeting for the inception of the IBA.

The IBA flourished and by 1976 it had recruited 23 new members, making the IBA with a membership of 30 countries. To-date the IBA membership stands at 64 with 3 observing countries.