The first ICEC was organized by Dr. Ragnar Holm and Prof. R. E. Armington and held at the University of Maine in 1961. Since then, ICEC has been held in Germany three times (Munich, Berlin, Nuremberg). The purpose of the ICEC 2014 in Dresden is to provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest research and development in the field of electrical contacts and other related fields all while promoting an exchange of scientific and technical knowledge between specialists from all over the world.

Throughout its history, the ICEC has greatly contributed to the development of this field and to the promotion of international collaboration.