By Sammy Miles, Managing Editor-in-Chief of CORROSION journal
The Exhibit Hall at the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo is now open! The ceremonial ribbon cutting by Alan Thomas, CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), took place on Monday, March 16 inside Houston’s expansive George R. Brown Convention Center.
The ribbon cutting followed a series of opening remarks from the current Chair of the AMPP Board of Directors, Kimberly-Joy Harris, and Kristin Leonard, a past Chair of the AMPP Global Center (2023-2024).
Attendees explored booths throughout the packed hall. From putt-putt golf in Dairyland’s booth to student posters, there were plenty of things to do and see.
TalentForce, AMPP’s new workforce development company, made its debut on Monday with a presence inside AMPP’s main booth. Also found in the AMPP booth is a new media studio, where attendees can watch interviews and discussions taking place throughout the week.
Make sure to take a few minutes to check out this year’s Exhibit Hall! Standard daily hours will continue until 5:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
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AMPP Hosts 2026 Honoree Night at Houston’s Daikin ParkWednesday’s Honoree Night brought the AMPP community together to celebrate individuals whose leadership, research, and service have made lasting contributions to the corrosion control profession. The event was held at Houston’s Daikin Park, home of the Astros.
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Building the Future: Industry Awareness, Workforce Stability Among Top Priorities The corrosion industry’s biggest challenge isn’t just technical — it’s people. With that in mind, improving awareness, hiring, development, and workplace systems often proves essential to attract talent, retain workers, and ensure long-term stability and performance.
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