By Ben DuBose, News Editor, AMPP Publications

The 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in Houston was a clear success for the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). According to Greg Muha, Director of Conferences, Exhibits, and Sponsorships, the show finished with a record 6,345 total registrants, surpassing the 2024 New Orleans event by over 400 guests.

“It was a home game, and the home team fans really came out for AMPP this week,” Muha said. “We’re grateful for that. But really, it’s our members that won it. The members, exhibitors, sponsors, authors, and all the volunteers who drive this organization, I just couldn't be more thrilled for them.”

Relative to the 2025 Nashville conference, the Houston show exceeded its final figure by more than 800 registrants.

The 2026 show featured approximately 60 new exhibitors and at least 10 new sponsors. An expansive Exhibit Hall inside Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center showcased a range of cutting-edge solutions, with robotics and drone technologies among the clear focal points. With that in mind, a revamped AMPP Education Experience booth helped to visually showcase the training options that AMPP offers to help support the adoption of newer technologies.

Technical program highlights included the Keynote address from John “Gucci” Foley, the former U.S. Blue Angels pilot; the Women of AMPP Breakfast and Forum; the Opening Reception and Expo Grand Opening networking events; and many awards programs, led by Honoree Night and the annual Scholarship Awards and EMERGing Leaders Bash.

Honoree Night took place at Daikin Park, home of the Astros — Houston’s storied Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise. With many members located in the surrounding area, it was a location that clearly resonated with attendees.

Known as the “energy capital of the world,” Houston is home to AMPP’s global headquarters and its largest chapter base.

“The reality is, we hadn’t physically been here since 2011, and I think there was pent-up demand,” Muha said. “People really wanted show off that hometown Houston pride, and I’m so glad that we were able to deliver for them.”

In March 2020, Houston had been scheduled to be the host site for CORROSION — the flagship show of legacy association NACE International — but the event was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Six years later, the time was right to return.

“Our largest chapter is here, a bulk of our members are here, and there are tons of industries here across all the markets that we serve,” Muha said. “Civil infrastructure, oil and gas, maritime, they’re all here. That really does make it special to be here, and have everybody not so spread out.”

AMPP’s new TalentForce initiative emphasized the importance of workforce development, and an exclusive workforce development panel received very positive feedback from attendees, Muha explained. Throughout the show, building up the next generation of the industry’s workforce was at the forefront of discussions.

For specifics, news articles recapping many AMPP 2026 events are accessible through AMPP’s Show Daily website. A photo gallery is available online, as well.

Looking ahead, plans are already underway for the 2027 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in Columbus, Ohio, where scheduling plans include a special hands-on demonstration for contractors. The site should feature unique digital branding opportunities, as well.

As AMPP’s flagship annual event, the next show will take place from April 11-15, 2027, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

“We have a saying in the events industry,” Muha said. “‘You don't get late, late. You get late early.’ There's only (about) 390 days left before we open in Columbus.”