AMPP’s annual conference reflects the connectedness, passion, and strength of its members and constituents. This year, 6,000 attendees came together to showcase the industry’s technical acumen, innovation, product development capabilities, and comradery.

Significant changes are expected for U.S. federal hazard communications and for lead standards in California, and industrial painters should be vigilant regarding the potentially significant effects, a regulatory expert said at this week’s AMPP conference.

The unprecedented growth in video content is necessitating a shift in digital marketing strategies. In turn, this requires prioritizing video to engage effectively with industry customers, according to AMPP’s marketing leaders.

In a joint workshop, leaders from AMPP and AWWA explored common approaches and synergies to achieve shared goals for water/wastewater infrastructure asset management and sustainability. This can be done by optimizing life-cycle costs through proper corrosion control.

On Wednesday in the Exhibit Hall, a special ceremony was held to recognize the best student posters presented at this week’s conference. The poster session, sponsored by BP, featured research projects from undergraduate and graduate students around the world.

Plural component intumescent coatings often serve in harsh and demanding environments and must be able to perform while subjected to fire and explosions. As a result, attention to detail during application and inspection processes is critical.

AMPP’s Quality Procedure (QP) accreditation program is continuously improving — and for the coming year, program leaders are working to make noteworthy updates while setting goals for 2025 and beyond.

AMPP’s new Industrial Coating Application (ICA) training program is an instructor-led, subscription-based, globally offered program built around the NACE No. 13/SSPC-ACS-1 standard. It was formally introduced last fall, and AMPP representatives hosted a presentation to showcase it to the conference audience.

Dr. Sannakaisa Virtanen presented her 2024 Whitney Lecture, “Corrosion Under Control? Challenges for Materials Performance Towards a Safe and Sustainable Society.” She discussed aspects of corrosion and protection related to transportation, energy technologies, and health.

Aaron Williams, non-executive director, provided the latest project details in “Heavy Minerals Limited: Port Gregory Garnet Update.” In that conversation, he emphasized efforts to ensure responsible and ethical mining practices.

Confined space safety training is about more than federal compliance. It is a matter of life and death, as explained in a presentation this week by Charles Brown of Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI).

Jorge Reyna, a certified coatings and welding inspector with JRSA Inspections, walked his audience through how infrared thermography can be used to detect early signs of corrosion in a non-invasive way.

AMPP’s 2024 Scholarship Awards Ceremony, held as part of Tuesday’s EMERGing Leaders Bash, recognized this year’s student scholarship and award recipients. Then, the evening of celebration transitioned to a live concert with a dance floor.

AI will lead to a promising future and is not to be feared, renowned physicist Dr. Michio Kaku said in his keynote address. Targeting his message with references to corrosion and the future of construction, the professor of theoretical physics presented his vision of a future paved by AI and nanotechnology.

CoatingsPro Magazine, AMPP’s publication for contractors working on high-performance coating projects in the field, celebrated its 2024 Contractor Awards Program winners in Monday’s ceremony at the annual conference.

In Monday’s “Defending Against Corrosion in the Military” forum, speakers addressed corrosion as a significant maintenance cost driver, which can affect an asset’s readiness for mission support while contributing to a reduction in usable service life.

Proving that surface preparation or coating application did not meet requirements is not enough. One must show that the deficiency directly caused or contributed to a failure, as explained in Monday’s “Coating Failure Investigations—Causes and Repairs” forum.

In Monday’s “Implementing Successful Material Sustainability and Material Stewardship Practices” panel discussion and forum, a range of international experts offered perspective on incorporating sustainable practices within the corrosion control and protective coatings industries.

The 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo commenced with gusto at Sunday’s Opening Night Reception. The theme, Mardi Gras Mambo, showed up throughout the hall with colorful lights and decorations.

The High Rollin' For a Harley contest is back! To play, Exhibit Hall attendees can visit the booths of each sponsor, where they will collect a playing card at each booth. Once all cards have been collected, head to the Harley on the Exhibit Hall floor and complete an entry card.

In one of the first presentations at this week’s conference, GPI’s Chris Farschon, PCS, and Charles Brown, PCS, offered an overview of protection strategies against steel corrosion during Sunday’s Coatings 101 Workshop.

Monday’s forums feature “Inspection of Intumescent Coatings” and “Case History from Four Viewpoints,” along with panel discussions on “AC & DC Interference” and “Implementing Successful Material Sustainability and Material Stewardship Practices.”

The AMPP Valuing Voices Forum provides an opportunity for members to learn about topics such as the importance of diversity in growing our industry; the power of inclusion; and the role of leadership in creating a people-first environment.

As part of the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, the Corrosion and Coatings Political Action Committee (PAC) is hosting a breakfast featuring esteemed guest speaker Rep. Troy Carter, Sr. (D-LA).

As part of the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in New Orleans, a series of interactive presentations will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday at various AMPPiTheater locations within the Exhibit Hall.

“Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion,” the “Modernization of Corrosion and Coating Research,” and “Corrosion of Reinforced Concrete Structures: Coatings and Concrete” are among the symposia options on Thursday’s closing day of AMPP’s 2024 show.

On Thursday, Robert Dahlstrom of Apellix presents “Using Industrial Tethered Power Wash Drones for Corrosion Prevention and Extension of Coating Life for Industrial Assets,” in which he will discuss using drones to spray chemicals, take measurements, power wash, and maybe even spray paint.

AMPP is proud to host its much-anticipated 2024 Honoree Night from 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday. While at the World War II Museum, honorees and guests will enjoy a relaxing evening of networking, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment.

Winners of this year’s Student Poster Session will be recognized in Wednesday’s 2024 Student Poster Awards ceremony. These posters showcase student research on a variety of topics in corrosion science, corrosion engineering, and applied corrosion technology.

During this day-long event, local students will participate in hands-on coatings and corrosion activities. Using AMPP corrosion toolkits known as cKits, students will learn basic scientific principles of corrosion such as oxidation, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry.

Wednesday’s AMPPiTheater highlights include sessions such as “My Brain Made Me Do It,” “New Industrial Coating Application (ICA) Training Program,” and “Video-Driven Success: Unleashing the Power of Video in Your Marketing Strategy.”

Symposia on coatings failures, machine learning for corrosion management, and understanding alkalinity for use in corrosion prediction are among Wednesday's offerings during the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo.

A range of learning opportunities are being offered in Wednesday’s forums at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in New Orleans. These include sessions on water/wastewater infrastructure and bridge coatings.

If you have a few minutes to spare while on-site during the 2024 conference, consider putting your volunteer spirit to use Tuesday by helping out AMPPCares in the Exhibit Hall — where Corrosion Toolkits are being built to benefit New Orleans-area students.

AMPP is excited to present its annual Scholarship Awards and EMERGing Leaders Bash, which celebrates the future of our industry. Guests of all ages are welcome to attend this evening of recognition and celebration, which takes place Tuesday at Republic NOLA.

Dr. Sanna Virtanen is the 2024 recipient of AMPP’s prestigious Wilis Whitney Technical Achievement Award. In Tuesday’s lecture, she will discuss current and possible future challenges for materials behavior, especially corrosion resistance, under challenging or harsh conditions.

To ensure that your digital profile is putting your personal brand in the best possible light, be sure to stop by the headshot station on Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a free photo. Sponsored by Tinker & Rasor, the station is located on the second floor (226).

Tuesday’s technical sessions at AMPP’s annual conference include dozens of symposia covering topics such as assessing DC stray current interference without potential interruption; geothermal scaling and corrosion; and shortcomings in testing oil and gas corrosion inhibitors.

Attendees can take in one or more of Tuesday’s AMPP forums, which include sessions on pipeline safety, corrosion under insulation, and asset protection using zinc coatings.

Celebrate CoatingsPro’s 2024 Contractor Awards winners before the Exhibit Hall ribbon cutting! Kristin Leonard, board chair of the AMPP Global Center and North American energy market director at Monday’s announcements.

We look forward to seeing you at Monday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Expo Grand Opening, sponsored by Sherwin-Williams! The Exhibit Hall will then be open from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. local time.

AMPP is thrilled to present Dr. Michio Kaku as the featured keynote speaker at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo. A world-renowned physicist and author, Dr. Kaku will lead an enlightening session entitled “The Impact of AI on the Workplace.”

After a long day of attending sessions and networking with peers, SYP Unplugged is there to provide students and young professionals under the age of 30 with a chance to unwind with peers and select industry professionals in a casual atmosphere.

“Implementing Successful Material Sustainability and Material Stewardship Practices,” “Mechanisms of Localized Corrosion,” and “Facilities Integrity and Process Safety” are among Monday's symposium opportunities.

The setup for the AMPP Bookstore aims to make all book purchases smooth and seamless. This year, the store offers a selection of best-selling books for on-site purchases, along with the option to shop and buy from AMPP’s entire catalog via an interactive kiosk.

Join AMPP and co-sponsor Carboline in welcoming everyone to the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in the Big Easy. This year's show takes place at Great Hall A with a theme that’s sure to impress: Mardi Gras Mambo!

Attendees can enjoy a relaxing day of golf to kick off their week at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, all while networking with other guests and taking in the New Orleans scenery.

Some exciting learning opportunities are being offered on Sunday's opening day at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo. Several interactive forums will be available for attendees to choose from.

Sunday's interactive workshops at AMPP's 2024 show will feature topics such as coatings, fall protection, and water hammer.

The chairs of the AMPP Board of Directors and AMPP Global Center Board of Directors welcome you to this year’s annual conference.