International Institute of Forecasters

The International Institute of Forecasters (IIF) is a nonprofit international organization focused on improving the theory, research, communication, and practical application of forecasting. Its activities connect academic researchers, business practitioners, public-sector users, and other specialists who develop or rely on forecasts for decisions involving areas such as demand, finance, economics, operations, technology, and public policy. The institute functions primarily as a professional and scholarly network rather than as a commercial product brand. The IIF is based in Medford, Massachusetts, and operates internationally through publications, conferences, workshops, research support, competitions, membership, and professional recognition. Its publishing activities include the International Journal of Forecasting, produced in collaboration with Elsevier; Foresight: The International Journal of Applied Forecasting; The Oracle; and the Forecasting Impact podcast. Together, these outlets address both the methodological foundations of forecasting and the challenges involved in applying forecasting methods in organizations. The International Journal of Forecasting serves as a scholarly forum, while Foresight emphasizes practical use and communication of forecasting knowledge. A central activity of the institute is the annual International Symposium on Forecasting (ISF). The symposium is held in a different location from year to year and has become a major meeting point for forecasting researchers and practitioners. The event is known for presenting forecasting research and for attracting prominent experts, including Nobel laureates. The IIF has also organized workshops and supported related events, including the Foresight Practitioner Conference. Some conference and workshop initiatives have been conducted with external institutions and companies, including Lancaster University, SAP Switzerland AG, and Amazon. The institute also supports empirical and methodological progress through forecasting competitions. It sponsors the M Competitions, which use comparative forecasting exercises to study how forecasting accuracy can be improved and to advance forecasting theory and practice. In addition, the IIF has collaborated with SAS Institute on research funding. The available reference material records two $5,000 research grants in 2011 and describes a continuing arrangement under which two $10,000 grants are awarded annually to support research on forecasting methods and business forecasting practice. These amounts are reported as program details rather than as the institute’s revenue or financial performance. The IIF recognizes contributions to forecasting through its Fellow designation. The Board of Directors grants the title to distinguished forecasters whose work has contributed to the field, the International Journal of Forecasting, and the institute itself. This recognition complements the organization’s publishing and conference roles by highlighting long-term contributions to forecasting scholarship and professional development. The institute’s documented history reaches back to the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Journal of Forecasting began publication in 1979, the organization was founded in 1981, and membership became available in 1982. The first International Symposium on Forecasting was held in Quebec in 1981. In 1983, the symposium in Philadelphia, chaired by Scott Armstrong, attracted approximately 1,000 attendees after an extensive promotional campaign. The International Journal of Forecasting began publication in 1985, and the practitioner-oriented journal Foresight was established in 2005. The symposium moved online for the first time during the 2020–2021 period. The IIF continues to present itself as an international institution for strengthening forecasting research and its responsible use in practice.

The International Institute of Forecasters developed as an international organization for advancing forecasting research and practice. Reference material places the beginning of its publishing activity in 1979, when the Journal of Forecasting began publication, while the institute itself is identified as founded in 1981. The first International Symposium on Forecasting was held in Quebec in 1981, establishing an event that would become a recurring international forum for forecasting researchers and practitioners. Membership was introduced in 1982, giving the organization a more formal professional-network function. The 1983 symposium in Philadelphia marked an important early expansion in visibility and participation. Scott Armstrong served as general chair, and extensive promotion through newspapers, magazines, radio, and direct mail contributed to attendance of approximately 1,000 people, described in the reference material as the highest in the event’s history. The International Journal of Forecasting began publication in 1985, strengthening the institute’s role as a scholarly publisher and creating a dedicated venue for research on forecasting methods, evaluation, and applications. The IIF later broadened its communications portfolio beyond academic publishing. In 2005, it created Foresight: The International Journal of Applied Forecasting, a practitioner-oriented publication intended to address the use of forecasting in organizational and business settings. The institute also publishes The Oracle and produces the Forecasting Impact podcast, extending its reach across written and audio formats. Conferences have remained a major part of the institute’s work. The annual International Symposium on Forecasting rotates among locations and is recognized for presenting significant forecasting research and bringing together prominent experts. The IIF has also organized workshops and sponsored or supported related events such as the Foresight Practitioner Conference. Collaboration with organizations including Lancaster University, SAP Switzerland AG, and Amazon has supported selected workshops and conference activities. Research advancement is pursued through the M Competitions, which compare forecasting approaches and generate evidence about accuracy and methods. The IIF has also worked with SAS Institute on grants for forecasting research. The available material records two $5,000 grants in 2011 and describes a continuing program awarding two $10,000 grants annually for research on forecasting methods and business forecasting practice. The institute’s Board of Directors additionally honors distinguished contributors through the IIF Fellow designation. The 2020–2021 period brought a change in event delivery: the International Symposium on Forecasting was conducted virtually for the first time. This demonstrated the organization’s ability to maintain its international conference role through remote participation. The IIF is based in Medford, Massachusetts, and continues to combine scholarly publication, professional events, research support, competitions, and recognition in pursuit of better forecasting theory and practice.

• 2020

  International Symposium on Forecasting begins virtual delivery

  [1]International Institute of Forecastersen.wikipedia.org

  The symposium was held virtually for the first time during the 2020–2021 period.

• 2005

  Foresight practitioner journal created

  [1]International Institute of Forecastersen.wikipedia.org

  The IIF created Foresight: The International Journal of Applied Forecasting to serve applied and practitioner audiences.

• 1985

  International Journal of Forecasting begins publication

  [1]International Institute of Forecastersen.wikipedia.org

  The International Journal of Forecasting began publication and later became a central scholarly publication associated with the IIF.

• 1983

  Philadelphia symposium attracts approximately 1,000 attendees

  [1]International Institute of Forecastersen.wikipedia.org

  The Philadelphia symposium, chaired by Scott Armstrong, used extensive promotion and recorded approximately 1,000 attendees.

• 1982

  Membership begins

  [1]International Institute of Forecastersen.wikipedia.org

  The institute began offering membership as part of its professional and international network.

• 1981

  Institute founded and first International Symposium on Forecasting held

  [1]International Institute of Forecastersen.wikipedia.org

  The IIF was founded, and the first International Symposium on Forecasting took place in Quebec.

• 1979

  Journal of Forecasting begins publication

  [1]International Institute of Forecastersen.wikipedia.org

  The Journal of Forecasting began publication, preceding the institute’s formally stated 1981 founding and forming part of the organization’s early publishing history.

An international nonprofit professional and scholarly institute that bridges forecasting research and practical forecasting use through journals, conferences, competitions, grants, workshops, and professional recognition.

• Academic journal · 1985

  International Journal of Forecasting

  A scholarly journal published by the IIF in collaboration with Elsevier. It provides a principal research forum associated with the institute and covers forecasting theory, methods, evaluation, and applications across academic and organizational settings.

• Practitioner journal · 2005

  Foresight: The International Journal of Applied Forecasting

  A practitioner-oriented publication created to address the practical use of forecasting. It complements the institute’s academic journal by focusing on applied forecasting, organizational implementation, communication, and business practice.

• Institute publication

  The Oracle

  An IIF publication included in the institute’s communications portfolio. The available reference material identifies it as an IIF publication but does not provide further detail on its format or publication schedule.

• Podcast

  Forecasting Impact

  A podcast produced by the IIF as part of its effort to communicate forecasting ideas and their practical impact through an audio format.

• Conference · 1981

  International Symposium on Forecasting

  The IIF’s annual international symposium, held in changing locations and focused on forecasting research and professional exchange. The event attracts researchers, practitioners, and prominent experts, and has also included workshops and collaborations with universities and companies.

• Forecasting competition

  M Competitions

  A series of forecasting competitions sponsored by the IIF. These contests compare forecasting approaches, generate evidence about accuracy, and support the development of forecasting theory and practice.

• 1983Philadelphia International Symposium promotion

  United States · International forecasting community

  The IIF used broad promotion for the 1983 Philadelphia symposium, including press, radio, and direct-mail outreach. The campaign helped the event attract approximately 1,000 attendees.

  Outcome. The symposium recorded approximately 1,000 attendees, described in the reference material as the highest attendance in ISF history.

  Source

• 2020

  Move the International Symposium on Forecasting to virtual deliveryStrategy

  Background

  The annual international symposium faced the conditions that disrupted in-person events during the 2020–2021 period.

  Action taken

  The IIF held the symposium virtually for the first time.

  Aftermath

  The event continued in an online format during the period documented by the reference material; longer-term effects are not specified.

  Source

• 2011

  Research-grant collaboration with SAS InstituteOther

  Background

  The IIF sought to support research on forecasting methods and business forecasting practice.

  Action taken

  The IIF and SAS Institute awarded two research grants of $5,000 each in 2011. The reference material also describes a continuing arrangement involving two $10,000 grants annually.

  Aftermath

  The collaboration provided financial support for forecasting research; no broader program results are specified.

  Research grant awards. Two grants of $5,000 each in 2011; later program described as two $10,000 grants annually (2011 and subsequent program period)

  Source

1. 1International Institute of Forecastersen.wikipedia.org
2. 2International Institute of Forecasters official websiteforecasters.org