AMPPlify Update DECEMBER 2025

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In this AMPPlify Update: 

• AMPP News: AMPP Announces Keynote Speaker
• AMPP Member Moments: Highlights from AMPP’s Global Community
• AMPP Tech: This Month's Technical Content 
  
• AMPP Events: Join AMPP at One of Our Featured Events
  
• AMPP Career Center: This Month's Job Opportunities
• AMPP Standards: Newly Published, Revised, and Reaffirmed Standards
  
• AMPP Store: Your Source for Industry Essentials

AMPP NEWS

Blue Angel Pilot John “Gucci” Foley Announced as AMPP 2026 Keynote Speaker

Get ready for high performance and inspiration at the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2026, March 15–19, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Former U.S. Navy Blue Angel John “Gucci” Foley, renowned for his “Glad To Be Here®” mindset, will deliver the keynote address on Monday, March 16. This year’s keynote is proudly sponsored by RETEGO.

“John 'Gucci' Foley embodies the pursuit of excellence through teamwork, precision, and purpose,” said AMPP CEO Alan Thomas. “We’re honored to welcome him to Houston for what promises to be an inspiring session.”

Read the full release. Learn more or register at ace.ampp.org.

AMPP to Launch Inaugural Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum in 2026

AMPP is introducing a new, sector-specific event designed to advance coatings performance and workforce capability across the U.S. maritime community. The inaugural Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum will be held February 3–4, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Va., bringing together 200–300 participants from the U.S. Navy, major shipyards, coatings contractors, and key industry suppliers.

Hosted at The Founders Inn and Spa, the forum will focus on surface preparation, antifouling technologies, corrosion mitigation, marine epoxy systems, and workforce development. Participation is application-based and offered at no cost to maritime painting contractors and asset owners. Attendees can earn up to 10 PDHs, attend technical sessions, and participate in exclusive networking opportunities.

Want to be part of the Contractor Club? This is an invitation-only part of the event: You’ll be one of 15 contractors/asset owners meeting with 15 leading suppliers in a structured, “speed dating”–style format. Each meeting will last 15 minutes, giving you direct access to explore new products, technologies, and business relationships over the two days. Reach out to Jennifer Merck at jennifer.merck@ampp.org for more details.

In a recent AMPP Media podcast previewing the event, Jennifer Merck (AMPP), Anthony Manglona (Precise Systems), and Cassandra Frisby (Newport News Shipbuilding) discussed the forum’s value, industry needs, and how AMPP’s standards and certification programs support maritime readiness.

The full article, published in CoatingsPro, explores why this event matters now, how it supports naval and commercial fleets, and what attendees can expect on-site. Read it now!

Thank You to Our 2025 AMPP Ambassadors

As we wrap up 2025, we extend our sincere appreciation to our inaugural AMPP Ambassador cohort - Ahmed Asad, Sam Conner, Nooshin Galati, Dylan Goddard, Arthur “Art” MacKinnon, Nonye Nketa, and Dr. John Watkins.

As the first-ever group to hold this role, each of you helped shape what the AMPP Ambassador Program stands for: elevating member voices, strengthening global connections, and advancing our mission across industries and regions. Your leadership has set a strong foundation for all future ambassadors to follow.

Thank you for your dedication, your insight, and the meaningful impact you’ve made on our community throughout the year.

AMPP MEMBER MOMENTS

Important Improvement Update: Changes to Downloading AMPP Standards

We heard you. Based on direct feedback from AMPP members, users, and board-level leadership, we are rolling out important improvements to how AMPP Standards are viewed and downloaded within the Knowledge Hub.

These updates are designed to deliver a simpler, faster, and more intuitive standards download experience, reducing unnecessary steps and improving usability across devices.

What’s Changing

Beginning December 18, 2025 (estimated), the current multi-step download process will be replaced with a more streamlined experience. The existing “Access Standard File” workflow will be updated to allow quicker access to standards with fewer clicks.

To support this improvement, in-platform annotations will no longer be available.

If you have previously added annotations to any AMPP Standards, those annotations will not carry over once the new experience goes live.

Important Action Required: Save Your Annotated Standards

If you wish to retain your annotations, please download your annotated standards before December 18, 2025.

How to Download Annotated Standards

Log in at https://content.ampp.org/:

Locate the standard you have annotated

Click Access Standard File

Select the printer icon

Click Print and allow the file to process

Set the destination to Save as PDF

Click Save

Your annotated PDF will be saved to your computer’s Downloads folder

We appreciate your continued feedback as we enhance the Knowledge Hub and improve access to AMPP Standards. These updates reflect our ongoing commitment to creating a more seamless, user-friendly experience for the AMPP community.

FAQ: AMPP Standards Download Updates

Why is AMPP changing the standards download process?
These updates are based on direct user feedback and are intended to simplify access, reduce clicks, and improve the overall experience in the Knowledge Hub.

When do the changes take effect?
The new download experience is expected to launch on December 18, 2025.

Will I still be able to download AMPP Standards as PDFs?
Yes. Standards will continue to be available for download as PDF files.

What happens to my existing annotations?
Annotations will no longer be accessible once the update goes live. If you wish to keep them, please download your annotated files before December 18, 2025.

Will annotations be supported again in the future?
At this time, in-platform annotation will not be available. The focus of this update is improving access and usability.

Who can I contact with questions?
Please reach out to AMPP support through the Knowledge Hub for assistance.

A December Message to Our Members

As we wrap up this year, we want to thank you for the impact you’ve made across our community. Every conversation, every insight, and every effort you contribute helps shape where we’re headed next.

“As the new year approaches, we celebrate your dedication to the future we’re building together.”
— AMPP Membership Department

Your commitment is already influencing the work we’re planning for 2026, and we’re grateful to have you with us as we continue moving forward.

If you’re not yet a member, this season is the perfect time to give yourself the gift of an AMPP membership and start the new year empowered and connected.

The AMPP New England Chapter hosted our annual holiday party and winter meeting on December 4th at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, MA!

Tell Us Your Generational Story!

As part of AMPP’s anniversary celebration, we’re honoring members whose families have helped shape the corrosion and coatings industry across multiple generations. If your family has a legacy in this field, we want to hear from you!  Share how this shared passion has influenced your career, strengthened our community, and contributed to the industry over time. You can also upload a photo to help bring your story to life.

AMPP TECH

In Global Coatings Merger, AkzoNobel and Axalta to Combine

FBE Application and Inspection: How to Avoid Common Pitfalls

2025 W.R. Whitney Award Lecture: Life Prediction of Aging Systems Subject to Corrosion

Supporting the Next Generation of Maritime Coatings Professionals

AMPP Accelerates Its Plans for 2026 Flagship Event

Sustainable Corrosion Protection Systems for Steel Bridges Using LCA

 

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AMPP EVENTS

	Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum February 3-4, 2026 | Virginia Beach, VA
	AMPP Annual Conference + Expo March 15 - 19, 2026 | Houston, TX
	AMPP Central Conference 2026 Q3 2026 | Twin Cities
	AMPP Eastern Conference 2026 Q4 2026 | The Carolinas
	AMPP Western Conference 2026 Q4 2026 | Seattle, WA

 

AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2026 Updates

Registration for the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2026  is now open. Join thousands of materials protection and performance professionals in Houston, TX, March 15–19, 2026 for the industry’s largest global event. The Technical Program is now live and features hundreds of expert-led sessions spanning corrosion, coatings, materials performance, sustainability, inspection, and emerging research, and more. Attendees will gain practical insights, explore real-world case studies, and hear directly from industry leaders shaping the future of the profession—all while enjoying hands-on solutions and unmatched networking opportunities.

Register Now

 

Student Poster Sessions Extended to January 20

The deadline for Student Poster Sessions abstracts has been extended to January 20. Students still have time to showcase their research, receive expert feedback, and engage with leaders in materials protection and performance.

Encourage students, colleagues, and peers to submit before the final deadline.

Submit Your Abstract

 

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AMPP CAREER CENTER