Virginia Beach, VA (December 1, 2025) — Designed for U.S. Navy contractors, asset owners, and coating suppliers, this high-impact gathering will convene 200 to 300 participants focused on the advancement of workforce development, corrosion prevention, and best practices in surface preparation and coatings application throughout the maritime sector.
From February 3-4, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Va., the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is hosting its inaugural Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum. Registration will be opening soon.
Held at The Founders Inn and Spa, the Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum is described by AMPP as an exclusive event bringing together leaders from across the U.S. Navy, shipyards, coating contractors, and industry suppliers. Topics on the agenda include surface preparation, antifouling coatings, marine epoxy systems, corrosion mitigation, and workforce development.
Designed for Navy contractors, asset owners, and coating suppliers, this high-impact gathering is expected to convene 200 to 300 participants focused on the advancement of maritime workforce development, corrosion prevention, and best practices in surface preparation and coatings application.
Attendees and contractors include representatives from the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, Huntington Ingalls Industries—Newport News Shipbuilding, BAE Systems, Vanwin Coatings, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, as well as other key maritime organizations.
“This focused gathering brings together maritime, shipbuilding, and ship-repair professionals dedicated to advancing corrosion control, protective coatings, and workforce excellence,” said Jennifer Merck, vice president of maritime and defense at AMPP. “Whether you work in surface preparation, coating application, inspection, QA/QC, facility management, or cathodic protection — or support the performance of ships, ports, and offshore structures — you’ll find the insights shaping the future of maritime operations and asset protection.”
Participation in the Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum is by application and open at no cost to maritime painting contractors and asset owners. Approved participants will gain access to technical sessions with downloadable presentations, earn up to 10 professional development hours (PDHs), and enjoy exclusive networking opportunities.
Podcast on Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum
On a recent podcast previewing the event, AMPP Media’s Ben DuBose was joined by three distinguished guests, who will all be in attendance. Each panelist is also actively involved in planning the forum.
The panel featured:
- Jennifer Merck, AMPP;
- Anthony Manglona, Precise Systems; and
- Cassandra Frisby, Newport News Shipbuilding.
Discussion topics included the event’s unique value and structure; perspectives from Navy and shipyard entities; sponsorship opportunities; and industry trends related to workforce development and training, process and performance needs, and more.
The conversation also explores the role of quality standards and how leading industry organizations, such as AMPP, can help address many critical challenges for maritime coatings professionals. Tune in!
Event attendees will be comprised of marine coatings contractors, applicators, inspectors, asset owners, consultants, and corrosion-protection professionals who work on ships, ports, and offshore structures. So, what can they expect in Virginia Beach? AMPP offers these bullet points.
Hear Directly From Maritime Decision-Makers
Attendees can engage in candid conversations with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Military Sealift Command, major regional shipyards, and leading contractors.
They can gain firsthand insight into how federal agencies and industry leaders are approaching coating standards, certification requirements, performance expectations, and the evolving needs of maritime readiness.
Stay Ahead of Innovation, Industry Trends
While at the forum, attendees will be able to explore the latest developments in marine coatings, surface preparation and application, and corrosion-resistant materials — along with cutting-edge tools and technologies driving productivity, reliability, and compliance.
“Learn how innovative corrosion-prevention solutions are being deployed to meet today’s toughest maritime challenges,” Merck says.
Build Meaningful Connections
Those in attendance will be able to connect with asset owners, shipyards, contractors, coating manufacturers, equipment suppliers, engineering firms, and federal partners. The event includes an exclusive, invitation-only Contractor Club that will bring together up to 20 AMPP-selected maritime coatings contractors.
“This forum offers unmatched opportunities to collaborate, exchange practical insights, and strengthen relationships across the maritime coatings community,” Merck concludes.
For more information, contact: AMPP, www.ampp.org/events/maritime-coatings-contractor-forum.
About AMPP’s Maritime Resources
Through near misses, incidents, forced shutdowns, outages, and accidents, the maritime industry has come to realize that lack of corrosion management can be very costly.
A corrosion management system (CMS) program addresses the threat of corrosion for existing and future assets across the complete lifecycle of the asset, from design to decommissioning. To achieve the full extent of savings offered through proper corrosion management, it is imperative that an organization’s management implement a CMS.
AMPP is committed to providing solutions to the maritime industry that reduce costs, maximize asset availability, keep personnel safe, and preserve the environment. The association’s resources are solution providers designed to serve a wide range of maritime industry areas including crew training, waterfront facilities, fixed offshore platforms, navigational aids, movable bridges, ship design and construction, and ship operation and maintenance.
AMPP offers the only marine-specific certification recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC) standard.
To learn more, visit www.ampp.org/technical-research/what-is-corrosion/corrosion-reference-library/maritime-industry.
Article by: Ben DuBose, AMPP News Editor. First appeared in CoatingsPro at: For 2026, AMPP Introduces Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum | CoatingsPro | Association for Materials Protection and Performance