We’re thrilled to announce the official opening of Coatings Academy’s third training facility, located in the Portland, Oregon metro area. This expansion has been in planning for over two years, driven by strong demand from the Pacific Northwest coatings market and requests from our growing community of members in Oregon, Washington, and northern California.

Why Portland?

The Pacific Northwest has emerged as one of the most dynamic markets for polyurea coatings in the country, driven by several converging factors:

• Infrastructure Investment: Washington and Oregon have both significantly increased infrastructure maintenance budgets, creating growing demand for polyurea applications on bridges, tunnels, and water infrastructure.
• Strong Construction Market: The continued population growth in metro Portland, Seattle, and surrounding areas drives demand for commercial flooring and waterproofing applications.
• Underserved Training Market: Until now, Pacific Northwest applicators had to travel to Houston or Atlanta for live workshop training. Our Portland facility eliminates that barrier.
• Agricultural Applications: The Columbia River Basin’s agricultural sector is a significant consumer of polyurea for tank linings, secondary containment, and equipment protection.

About the Portland Facility

Our Portland training center spans approximately 5,500 square feet and is equipped with:

• Multiple prepared concrete and steel substrate spray areas
• Environmental control systems for year-round training conditions
• Dedicated spray equipment maintenance training stations
• Classroom space for up to 20 students
• Full equipment inventory including Graco Reactor and PMC proportioners

Derek Nguyen, our Portland Lead Instructor, brings a background in both spray polyurethane foam and polyurea coatings with over 15 years of field experience in the Pacific Northwest. Meet Derek and the rest of our team on our instructor page.

First Portland Workshops Now Scheduled

Our first live workshop at the Portland facility is already sold out — the Advanced Spray Technique Masterclass on July 15 filled within three days of announcement. This response exceeded our expectations and confirms our read on demand in the region.

We’re now scheduling additional Portland workshops for Q3 and Q4 2026, including our flagship Polyurea Applicator Certification and the Certified Bedliner Applicator course. Check the Events page for the latest schedule, and register early — Portland seats are selling faster than any new location we’ve opened previously.

A Note from Our Founder

“Opening in Portland is one of the most exciting milestones in Coatings Academy’s history,” says founder David Hartwell. “The Pacific Northwest has a strong culture of professional craft and quality — exactly the kind of community that values what we do. We’ve been getting requests from applicators in Oregon and Washington for years, and we’re grateful to finally be able to serve them closer to home. This isn’t the last expansion you’ll see from us.”

Stay connected with our growth and all upcoming events through our events calendar and the member community.