On its 50th anniversary, the Calorimetry Conference looks back on a history of accomplishment. Begun in 1946 by the late Hugh M. Huffman, the organization in 1995 provides a forum for members to discuss calorimetry and calorimetry-related subjects. Important activities of the Conference are the development of standards, the organization of symposia, and the recognition of outstanding achievements in calorimetry. The Conference gives three awards to individuals for superior attainments in calorimetry, and one award to aid students in attending the Conference. The Conference reflects changes in the field of calorimetry over the past half-century. During this time, commercial calorimeters and auxiliary equipment have become available, calorimeters have been interfaced with computers making acquisition and analysis of results rapid, and there has been increasing emphasis on the study of chemical interactions in a variety of media. The design and construction of novel calorimeters has enabled scientists to study a variety of reactions where energy or enthalpy changes occur.