According to a Department of Defense report, corrosion costs the U.S. military more than $22.5 billion annually, weakening naval shipyards, degrading fleet reliability and threatening the modernization of America’s maritime infrastructure. As global adversaries expand their naval capabilities, U.S. readiness depends on protecting the materials that hold the fleet together.

To address this challenge, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is convening engineers, industry leaders and coatings experts in Washington, D.C., for Advocacy Day 2025, a two-day event focused on advancing science-based policy solutions that support corrosion mitigation, shipyard innovation and protective coatings standards.

Event details:

Dates: July 9–10, 2025

Location: Capitol Hill & federal agencies

Registration now open

Participants will meet with congressional offices and federal agencies to promote policies that strengthen maritime readiness through workforce development, modernization funding and updated coating specifications.

“Corrosion isn’t just an industry problem—it’s a national readiness issue,” said Kern Williams, government relations manager at AMPP. “We’re bringing the voice of materials experts directly to policymakers, so corrosion prevention is embedded into shipbuilding legislation, funding and infrastructure strategy from the start.”

Key Issues on the Hill

• Maritime security at risk: Corrosion shortens the lifespan of ships and critical platforms

• Shipbuilding bottlenecks: Modernization requires preventive coatings and trained personnel

• Workforce gaps: Aging infrastructure demands skilled coatings professionals

• Standards matter: Uniform application of proven technologies ensures safety and cost control

Who Should Attend Advocacy Day is open to AMPP members and professionals in:

• Shipbuilding and naval logistics

• Protective coatings manufacturing and inspection

• Infrastructure engineering and quality assurance

• Government contracting and public policy

• Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)

Participation is free. Attendees are responsible for travel and accommodations.

Podcast: Inside Look at What’s at Stake

Hear from Kristin Leonard (Sherwin-Williams) and D. Terry Greenfield (CONSULEX) as they join AMPP’s Williams and Ben DuBose in a roundtable discussion of key policy issues, from coatings innovation to infrastructure investment.

Listen now: AMPP Advocacy Day 2025: Key Initiatives in Washington, DC

For full details and registration, visit the AMPP Advocacy Day page.