Encourage Your Members to Join You in Houston: Talking Points That Inspire a ‘Yes’ to AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2026

As a chapter leader, you play a unique role in connecting your members to opportunities that help them grow—professionally, technically, and personally. And one of the biggest opportunities of the year is the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, returning March 15–19, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

Many members want to attend but aren’t sure what to expect, how to justify the cost, or even what they’ll get out of the event. That’s where your voice makes all the difference. A quick reminder at a meeting or a personal conversation at an event can be the nudge someone needs to take that next step in their career.

This blog post will give you easy, confident talking points you can use to encourage your members to attend—along with links to tools that help them make a strong business case to their employers.

Why Your Voice Matters

Members trust you. They look to you for recommendations on training, networking, and career development. When you highlight the value of attending AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, they listen—and they’re far more likely to take action.

Plus, chapters that encourage attendance tend to come back stronger: your members return with new ideas, new connections, and new energy for your programming.

The Big Picture: What Makes This Conference Worth Attending

The AMPP Annual Conference + Expo isn’t just another industry event—it’s the largest global coatings and corrosion conference in the world.

6,000+ professionals from 70+ countries
Over 380 exhibiting companies
300,000+ square feet of expo space
1,000+ hours of technical education
50+ technical symposia and forums
500+ technical papers available in the conference proceedings

Attendees come from every major sector—energy (48%), civil and infrastructure (33%), defense (26%), maritime/naval (41%), and more. This is where asset owners, manufacturers, suppliers, government agencies, military branches, engineers, contractors, vendors, and researchers connect to shape the future of the industry.

In short: this is the place to be for anyone serious about corrosion control, protective coatings, materials performance, or advancing their career in this field.

What Your Members Will Get by Attending

When you talk to your members, here are the key benefits you can highlight:

High-Impact Learning

The conference offers:

Technical symposia across 15 industry and technology tracks
PDHs for attendees
Access to hundreds of technical papers
Exposure to emerging research, advanced technologies, and future trends

This is especially valuable for inspectors, engineers, project managers, and anyone pursuing certification maintenance or career advancement.

Real Career Growth

Members can:

Attend personal and professional development sessions
Meet industry leaders who make up 57% of attendees (manager-level and above)
Interact with VPs, directors, and decision-makers from leading global organizations

This is how careers accelerate.

Business + Vendor Connections

If your members work with coatings, materials, equipment, or services, the expo hall alone is worth the trip.

AMPP’s exhibitor list includes companies like:
Chevron, BP, Bechtel, ExxonMobil, Shell, TechnipFMC, Tenaris, DNV, and more.
It’s a unique chance to meet the people behind the technology your members use daily.

Networking That Isn’t Awkward

With more than a dozen networking events—large and small—members can:

Meet new collaborators
Reconnect with industry peers
Engage with AMPP standards committees
Talk with young professionals and students entering the field
Connect with companies they hope to work with

There’s something for everyone.

Something for Every Career Stage

You can remind:

Young professionals: EMERG events, mentorship, networking, job opportunities
Seasoned professionals: committee involvement, advanced technical tracks, leadership connections
Students: exposure to real-world technology and contacts
Contractors and inspectors: hands-on product demos, PDH opportunities, and updates on best practices

How Can You Talk About the Conference at Chapter Meetings

Not sure what to say? Here are simple, practical ways to fold this into your chapter communications.

Add a Quick Conference Update to Every Meeting

Examples you can share:

“The 2026 Technical Program includes more than 1,000 hours of education.”
“There are over 380 exhibitors—representing materials, coatings, inspection equipment, robotics, safety gear, and more.”
“If you need PDHs, this event will help you get them.”

Tailor Your Message to Your Members

Speak to what matters to them:

Engineers → technical symposia + PDHs
Contractors → vendor demos + product evaluation
Asset owners → emerging technologies + corrosion control strategies
Students/YPs → career pathways + EMERG events +Student Poster Session

Share the ROI

Members can build a tentative schedule from the Advanced Program.
They can create a wish list of exhibitors to meet on site.
They can outline how the knowledge gained will support company goals.
They can plan to deliver a short “what I learned” presentation when they return—something many supervisors appreciate.

Use the Conference Justification Toolkit to Help Members Get Employer Approval

Many members want to attend the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo but aren’t sure how to ask their supervisor for permission or funding. The good news is that AMPP has already created a comprehensive Attendee Justification Toolkit that removes the guesswork and helps them present a strong, professional business case.

As a chapter leader, simply letting members know this exists—and showing them how to use it—can dramatically increase the likelihood that they get approval to attend.

What’s Inside the Justification Toolkit

You can highlight these elements during your chapter meetings:

A ready-to-use justification letter that members can personalize and submit to their supervisor
Top 10 reasons to attend, backed by data
Attendee demographics showing the seniority and diversity of professionals present
ROI-focused guidance, including how to plan a schedule and outline benefits to their employer
Links to key conference pages: registration, travel, exhibitor lists, technical program, and more
Tips for building a wish list of exhibitors, partners, or customers to meet onsite
Recommendations for delivering a post-conference report to leadership

These items help members articulate why attending the conference benefits not just them—but also their company.

How Chapter Leaders Can Encourage Members to Use the Toolkit

You might say something like:

“If you want to attend but aren’t sure how to approach your boss, download the Justification Toolkit. It walks you through exactly what to say and gives you a ready-made letter you can customize.”

Then guide them through these simple steps:

Download the Toolkit
-Provide the link and walk them through where to find each resource inside.
Fill in the Justification Letter
-Encourage them to personalize the template by adding:
- Specific sessions they plan to attend
- Exhibitors they want to meet
- How PDHs or new technical knowledge will support their role
- How conference insights will be shared with their team upon return
Build a Tentative Schedule
-Suggest that they use the Advanced Program and exhibitor list to draft a simple plan showing how they’ll make the most of their time.
Connect Attendance to Company Goals
-The toolkit encourages members to explain how conference attendance supports operational efficiency, safety, quality, compliance, cost savings, or innovation.
Plan to Share a Summary Afterward
-Supervisors appreciate accountability. Reassure members that the toolkit includes guidance on delivering a short recap to show the value of the trip.

Why This Matters

Many members mistakenly believe their supervisor will automatically say no. But with the right language and a professional letter, the conversation becomes much easier. The justification letter alone can remove a huge emotional barrier—members no longer feel like they have to “figure out what to say.”

You can summarize it this way:

“You don’t have to start from scratch. AMPP already created the tools you need to ask for approval confidently and professionally.”

Share the Toolkit Link Widely

At the end of your discussion, remind members where to find it and include the link in:

Your chapter slides
Email reminders
Social media posts
Event announcements

The easier you make the process, the more likely they are to attend.

What Members Can Expect at the Event

When directing members to the annual conference website, highlight:

A detailed Technical Program
Full exhibitor list and interactive floorplan
Conference schedule
Networking events
Hotel and travel information
Registration options and pricing
Student and emerging professional opportunities

The website is updated regularly, so encourage members to check it often for new announcements.

How Chapters Can Support Their Members' Attendance

Consider:

Sharing conference info on your chapter website and social channels
Including the registration link in chapter emails
Encouraging members to register early to save money
Helping members coordinate carpools or shared lodging
Inviting past attendees to share stories at meetings

Even small efforts help members feel more confident about attending.

Final Encouragement For Your Members

You can tell them:

“If you work in coatings, corrosion, or materials protection, attending the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo is one of the best investments you can make in your career. You’ll walk away with ideas, tools, contacts, and knowledge you simply can’t get anywhere else.”

And remind them:

“Your chapter is here to help if you have any questions.”

Helpful Links to Share With Your Members

📌 Download the Attendee Justification Toolkit

This includes the ROI tips, attendee demographics, the top 10 reasons to attend, and the customizable justification letter.

📌 Visit the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo Website

Explore sessions, exhibitors, schedules, and travel information.

📌 Register for the 2026 Conference

Have question or need help getting started? Reach out to chapters@ampp.org. We are here to help!

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