Houston, AMPP Has Arrived!

We’re excited to welcome everyone to Houston—from our longtime attendees and exhibitors to the many new faces joining us for the first time. Before you arrive, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your time at the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo. Plan ahead so you don’t miss the engaging technical sessions, networking opportunities, and industry events happening throughout the week.

Event Location

 George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida De Las Americas
Houston, TX 77010

Download the Official Conference App

The Conference app is your essential onsite planning tool. With the app, you can: 

• Build your personalized schedule
• Sync sessions with your calendar
• Find key locations using the maps
• Connect with attendees and schedule meetings
• Receive real-time event updates
• Access the official Final Program
• NEW This Year – Download your Professional Development Hours. Click here to view how.

If you registered in advance, your app login credentials have been emailed to you. Use those credentials to access the app and start planning your conference experience.

Need help? Stop by the Mobile App Help Desk on level 3 during the conference. 

Pro Tip: If you bookmark a session on the schedule website, it will automatically appear in the My Event section of the mobile app.

First-Time Attendee?

New to AMPP Annual Conference + Expo this year? Welcome!

Stop by the First-Time Attendee Kiosk on Level 1 near registration to get connected and start your conference experience with confidence. Our team will help you navigate the event, answer questions, and share tips for making the most of your time in Houston.

While you're at registration, be sure to pick up your First-Time Attendee ribbon so fellow attendees know it’s your first year and can help welcome you into the AMPP community.

Don’t forget to grab your First-Time Attendee brochure, filled with helpful resources, networking tips, and can’t-miss events to help you get started.

Prefer a Printed Guide?

Your On-site Guide will be available at registration and includes:

• Daily program highlights
• Technical session schedules
• Standards Committee (SC), Technical Committee (TC), and Technical Communities of Interest (TCI) meeting schedules
• Convention center maps
• Exhibit Hall floorplan and exhibitor list
• A welcome letter from AMPP Board Chair Kimberly-Joy Harris, Ph.D.
• Helpful information to help you navigate the conference

Be sure to pick up your copy at registration.

Featured Events to Check Out

Sunday, March 15:

Opening Reception – 5:30-7 p.m. | Marriott Marquis – Houston Ballroom

The Opening Night Reception kicks off AMPP’s Annual Conference + Expo, as attendees and exhibitors interact over drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

Sponsored by: Proxxima & AMPP

Monday, March 16:

Coffee with Congressman Wesley Hunt – 8-10 a.m. | General Assembly ABC

This special event is free for all conference attendees and offers the opportunity to hear directly from Congressman Hunt as he shares insights on federal priorities impacting energy policy, infrastructure resilience, and the industries we serve. 

RSVP

Keynote Presentation – 3-5 p.m. | General Assembly ABC
AMPP welcomes John “Gucci” Foley, former lead solo pilot of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, as the 2026 keynote speaker. His keynote, Ignite a Culture of Excellence, will deliver powerful, real-world insights on leadership, teamwork, and performance under pressure.

Sponsored by: RETEGO

Exhibit Hall Grand Opening – 5-7:30 p.m. | Exhibit Hall

Be there for the ribbon cutting and join attendees and exhibitors as we officially open the exhibit hall floor.

Sponsored by: Sherwin-Williams

Tuesday, March 17:

Women of AMPP Breakfast and Panel 8-10 a.m. | Price for Breakfast: $35

Join us for the Women of AMPP Breakfast to connect with peers across the materials protection and performance industries. Then stay for the Women of AMPP Panel, where industry leaders will share insights on leadership, career growth, and advancing women in the field. Panel is free to attend. 

Coffee & Conversation: Connecting Contractors with AMPP Leadership – 9-11 a.m. | Room 360 DE

Hear from AMPP CEO Alan Thomas and Chief Product and Operations Officer Cindy O’Malley as well as the QP Team, and AMPP Market Leaders.

Workforce Development Panel: The Future Builds Here – 1-2:30 p.m. | Room 371 C

This focused, solutions-driven discussion brings together leaders from industry, higher education, the Texas Workforce Commission, and regional workforce partners to address workforce challenges shaping the corrosion and materials protection industries and share practical, real-time solutions.

CoatingsPro Magazine Contractor Awards – 3-3:30 p.m. – Exhibit Hall, Student Poster Stage

Join us in celebrating the best in the coatings industry. CoatingsPro’s Contractor Awards Program recognizes the projects and crews that demonstrate excellence in the field of high-performance commercial and industrial coatings.

Master Painters Institute Champion Awards – 3-3:30 p.m. – Exhibit Hall, Student Poster Stage

Join us in celebrating the MPI Champions, paint and coatings manufacturers recognized for their leadership in product performance, sustainability, education, and industry advancement. These award recipients set the standard for excellence and innovation across the coatings community.

Scholarship Awards Ceremony – 6:30-7:30 p.m. | House of Blues, Music Hall

Students, event Sponsors, and Scholarship donors come together for an evening of celebration and recognition in support of our 2026 Scholarship Recipients.    Sponsored by: bp

EMERGing Leaders Bash: Shamrock Social – 8-10 p.m. | House of Blues, Music Hall

All AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2026 attendees and their guests are invited to join us on St. Patrick’s Day at House of Blues Houston as we raise funds to support the future of the materials protection industry.

Sponsored by: Sherwin-Williams, IUPAT, & AMPP Arizona Chapter

Wednesday, March 18:

Student Poster Session Awards Ceremony - 12-1 p.m. | Exhibit Hall, Student Poster Area

Join us as we recognize the outstanding student researchers whose work is shaping the future of corrosion science and materials protection. During the Student Poster Session Awards Ceremony, we’ll celebrate the top posters across several distinguished categories, including the Marcel Pourbaix Award for corrosion science, the Mars Fontana Award for corrosion engineering, the Herro-Appleman Award for applied materials protection technology, and the David Shifler Undergraduate Award. Come support the next generation of innovators and help us honor their achievements.

Honoree Night - 6-10 p.m. | Daikin Park, Union Station Lobby

AMPP invites you to an evening of celebration as the association’s awards are presented in recognition of members who have made outstanding contributions to AMPP and the corrosion control industry. Guests will enjoy a relaxing evening of networking, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment.

Helpful Locations Around the Conference

AMPP Booth – Booth #1140

AMPP Sales Office – Booth #1147
AMPP Media – Booth #1143
Master Painters Institute (MPI) – Booth #1141
AMPP Education Experience – Booth #2441

AMPP Certification Hospitality Suite – Room 320 , Level 3

AMPP QP Accreditation Hospitality Suite – Room 320, Level 3

Corporate Lounge – Room 332, Level 3
AMPP Business Center – Level 3

Information Kiosk – Level 2

First-Aid Office – Hall E Concourse, Level 1

Lost and Found – Registration, Level 1

Luggage Check – Level 2

Mother’s Room – North & South sides of Mezzanine, Level 2

Publication Bins – Registration, Level 1

Speaker Ready Room – Room 352 DEF, Level 3

Prayer Room & Suhoor Pickup – Room 380A, Level 3

Make the AMPP Booth Your Command Center

Make the AMPP Booth (#1140) your central stop during the conference—the place to reconnect with the AMPP community, meet the team behind the organization, and discover new ways to get involved.

✓ Connect with AMPP Staff

Meet the people behind AMPP programs, membership, education, and certification. Our team will be there all week to answer questions and help you make the most of your conference experience.

✓ Take the AMPP Hidden Heroes Quiz and discover your hero type

Find out which Hidden Hero role reflects your strengths in protecting assets and advancing our industry.

✓ Pick up your exclusive lapel pin for updating your profile and communication preferences (available only at the AMPP booth)

After completing the quiz, take a moment to confirm or update your profile and communication preferences, then claim your matching AMPP Hero lapel pin.

✓ Snap a selfie or group photo in the booth

Capture the moment with colleagues, new connections, or your fellow Hidden Heroes. Once you’ve claimed your hero pin, keep an eye out around conference for your "pin twin" — someone who shares the same hero type. Spot someone wearing the same hero badge? Snap a photo together at the booth and celebrate the hidden heroes powering our industry.

✓ Grab a shot glass and stress reliever

Pick up a little AMPP swag while supplies last.

✓ Pick up the latest AMPP collateral

Explore new publications, resources, and updates about programs supporting the materials protection and performance community.

Conference Proceedings

If you purchased a Full Conference Registration or Student Registration, your complimentary online access to conference papers will be available through the new AMPP Knowledge Hub. You will receive an email with instructions to access the papers.

For those who did not purchase a Full Conference Registration pass, online proceedings may be purchased at:

Member Rate: $349
Non-Member Rate: $449

Browse the Exhibit Hall

Start planning your path through the Exhibit Hall. Explore the floorplan to see which companies, technologies, and solutions you want to visit first. With hundreds of exhibitors and innovations to discover, mapping out your stops ahead of time will help you make the most of your time on-site.

Visit the AMPP Bookstore

Stop by the AMPP Bookstore to receive special conference discounts on the industry's most extensive collection of publications dedicated to corrosion control and performance coatings.

If you prefer not to carry books home, Print-On-Demand shipping is available so your books can be shipped directly to your home or office.

Sunday, March 15 | 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Monday, March 16 | 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 17 | 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18 | 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 19 - 8 a.m. | 12 p.m.

Wi-Fi Access

Free Wi-Fi is available to all attendees in the exhibit hall and most common areas of the convention center.

Wi-Fi Name: AMPP_2026
Password (case sensitive): IUPAT-FTI

Special thanks to our Wi-Fi sponsor, IUPAT.

Registration Hours

Registration takes place on Level 1.

Early Bird – Saturday, March 14
2:00-5:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 15
7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Monday, March 16
7:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 17
7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 18
7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 19
7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Registration sponsored by IUPAT.

Be Ready for a Great Week

Arrive ready to learn, connect, and collaborate with colleagues from across the globe.

We look forward to welcoming you to AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in Houston.

We can’t wait to see you in Houston!

Thank you to our Sponsors!