The GRA, founded in 1957, is one of the oldest and most valuable non-profit resource organizations in the United States. The association was initially organized by 13 pharmaceutical companies and was first named the Pharmaceutical Industry Tour Directors. At the organizational meeting in Spring Valley, New York, the agenda looked like this: The Why of Tours, Promotional Aspect, The How of Tours-Planning and Conducting, and Problems of Getting Cooperation for the Program. In 2004, 47 years later, the industry is still faced with the same issues.

In its second year of operation, 1958, one of the mainstay events took place for the first time. This event is called the annual conference. Kalamazoo, Michigan was the site of this conference, and the members gathered to share information among themselves on ways to best conduct tour operations and to witness first hand the operations of some of the member attendees in the Kalamazoo region. It was considered so successful, the association members decided to conduct a conference at least once each year.

Since 1957 there has been an annual conference held every year.