Across the Fence Newsletter
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February 20, 2020   
Upcoming Events
 
Join AFA for our upcoming events!
Make sure to visit AFA's calendar page to stay current on all our latest news and updates. Further details on times, locations and more are available on the page.
 
• 2/21/20 — Wood Defender Fence & Deck Staining and Business Class Wood Defender HQ - Mansfield, TX
• 2/26/20 — AFA Chapter Presidents Commitee (CPC) Meeting - Onboarding Training - Conference Call
• 3/3/20 3/6/20 — FENCETECH/METALfab 2020 - Salt Lake City, UT
• 3/5/20 — Chapter Meetings at FENCETECH - view the calendar page for details
• 3/18/20 — AFA Chapter Success Committee (CSC) Meeting - Conference Call
 
 
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CHAPTER NEWS
 
The Carolinas Chapter of the American Fence Association has partnered with Purple Heart Homes to connect our membership for another Service Project! We have another deserving veteran in need of a fence to secure his home and family.
 
We are in need of funds or materials, including concrete. We are also looking for crews to donate the labor to have this fence installed. Any and all volunteers are welcome to participate.
 
If you would like to donate materials or labor to this project, please email Jessica McEntire at carolinasfence1@gmail.com.
 
 
   
Join fellow AFA Gulf South Chapter members on April 4, 2020 for the annual Fundraiser 5 Stand Sporting Clay Competition. Our venue this year is Kearney Park Farms Sporting Clay Shooting Range and Lodge: 151 Ergon Road, Flora, MS.
 
Plan to arrive at 10:30 a.m. to participate in the chapter meeting and elections. The sporting clay competition will begin at 11:30 a.m., with meal and prizes to follow. The cost is $125 per person.
 
 
The Board will be sending out more details on the elections if you would like to run for a position. If you need more details you can contact me at your convenience. For further details, contact Jennifer Palmer at jennifer@calhounfenceinc.com.
 
AFA's Education Foundation
 
During the All-conference party on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 there will be a silent auction hosted by the AFA Education Foundation (AFAEF) from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. 100% of the proceeds support the AFAEF and will be tax deductible. All donations need to be accompanied by a completed auction donation form (below) and must be submitted no later than February 21 unless you are bringing the item with you to FENCETECH. If your item is not a physical item, please provide promotional materials including a description, brochure, and/or photo for display during the auction.

Donation suggestions:
• Gift Cards
• Professional sporting events
• Tools/Tool boxes
• Electronics
• Gift Baskets
• Travel vouchers
• Restaurants
• Wine
• Collegiate Events

 
Association News

Do you have some serious cornhole skills? Now is your chance to show them off. Build your team and start practicing for AFA’s first ever cornhole competition happening on the FENCETECH show floor in booth 2655.

Teams of two will compete against other tradeshow attendees, and all ages are welcome to play. Come to booth 2655 to sign up your team!

 
 
The Deck & Rail Institute (DRI) members are invited to attend a special networking opportunity in the AFA booth (#1631) at FENCETECH on Thursday, March 5, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This special meet and greet is generously sponsored by Screw Products, the first Charter Member of DRI.
 
DRI, a division of AFA, is a resource to its members by providing updates on codes and standards and developing relevant education and training. If you aren’t a member yet, you can stop by and complete your application at the AFA booth as well.
 
To learn more about DRI, visit our website at www.deckandrailinstitute.com or call us at 800-822-4342.
 
 
You don’t want to miss out on FENCETECH 2020 in Salt Lake City! Lucky for you, there is still time to register! With 7,000+ attendees from three related industries, a full schedule of AFA schools and seminars, a huge exhibit floor with more than 300 exhibitors, live product demonstrations, major networking and fun at the joint All-Conference Party, AND a friendly competition with our corn hole championship, joining us in SLC will be well worth it.
 
For more information on how to register please visit our website.
 
 
AFA, NOMMA, CLFMI and DASMA (pending) are proud to announce the official launch of the Accreditation and Certification Institute and two new certification programs, the Certified Gate Automation Technician and the Certified Gate Automation Designer.

The ACI website is up to date with certification applications and program details for these new certifications – please visit http://acieducation.org for more information. 

Please note that AFA plans to sponsor certification exams for instructors of Operator Installer School (now rebranded as Gate Automation Technician School) and Automated Gate Systems Design School (now rebranded as Gate Automation Designer School) in advance of AFA University in 2020 – stay tuned for more details on this as they are finalized.

If you have any questions on any of this information, please reach out to Sara Surprenant at sara@americanfenceassociation.com or 314-561-6670 at any time.
 
 

Don’t Miss “Finding Purpose and Passion” at FENCETECH 2020!

This session could save your life. On April 3, 2001, Chad Hymas was involved in a serious accident, leaving him a quadriplegic. One thing has stayed with Chad since that life-altering day in 2001: the importance of job safety.

Chad knew at the time the accident occurred that he had been trained not to take shortcuts and to always perform his tasks with his personal safety and those around him as his top priority. He knew better, but never thought this could happen to him.

Chad Hymas will present “Finding Purpose and Passion” from 2:30PM – 4:00PM on Tuesday, March 3, at the Salt Palace Convention Center. The program is open to all FENCETECH attendees with the Full Package and Education & Events Package. Exhibits Only attendees can add this presentation for $100. Register for FENCETECH www.americanfenceassociation.com/fencetech-2020-registration.

 
 

 

Make plans to stop by the AFA booth (#1631) at FENCETECH in Salt Lake City. Get your membership and education questions answered, meet the AFA staff, talk with our Member Savings Program representatives, turn in your booth bingo card, and more.
 
Another great reason to visit the AFA booth is the opportunity to meet your 2020 Board of Directors. We are hosting a special meet and greet session on Thursday, March 5, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm. Stop by and introduce yourself!

 
 
   
Join us in Music City and be on the list to pick your booth for FENCETECH/DECKTECH 2021 in Nashville! Save the date for the 2021 booth draw April 20 – 23 2020. Information will be sent via email to current exhibitors prior to the official date. Drawing dates and times are based on priority points.

Booth Rates:
$23 per square foot (AFA/DRI members)
$26 per square foot (non-members)
 
Learn more at www.fencetech.com or contact Stephen Dennis at stephen@americanfenceassociation.com or call 314-561-6641.
 
 

Celebrate your accomplishments and toast with your fellow members as we honor the recipients of AFA’s Distinguished Service Award, Ambassador Award, Hall of Fame Award, Fence Contractor of the Year Award, Manufacturer of the Year Award and our newest Outstanding Service Award.

We will also unveil the winners of our second annual AFA PRO Awards for the industry’s best projects in 13 categories.

The Awards Dinner & Annual Meeting will take place Thursday, March 5, from 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM in Ballroom A-B. Register here.

 
 
   

Take home the gold as we bring back the popular Fence Game Olympics! Dust off your skills, gather your best team and compete against your peers.

The fence game Olympics includes a variety of construction-based contests and knowledge-based games to compete for the title of Fence Games Champion. Activities will include:

• Field Routing Vinyl • Chain Link • Agriculture
• Vinyl Installation • Wood Fence • Aluminum Fence
• Farm and Fence

Stop by booth #2655 to play!

 

 

The annual AFA chapter breakfast is back! Show your chapter spirit while you enjoy a delicious breakfast and mix and mingle with other AFA chapters from across the nation all together in one place. We will be celebrating chapter accomplishments and announcing the award for the 2020 Chapter of the Year. We expect the chapters to really show some noise and chapter spirit with us in Salt Lake City!

The Chapter Breakfast will take place on Thursday, March 5 from 8 a.m. – 10a.m. in Ballroom A/C.
Click here to register.

 

Get ahead of the game and pick your booth for FENCETECH 2021! Next year's event will take place in Nashville, TN – one of our FENCETECH hot spots! Be the first to pick your booth by becoming a sponsor.
 
There are still numerous sponsorship opportunities available, including:

• Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship packages
• New education break sessions sponsorship
• Registration bag promotional item of your choosing
• Keynote speaker session where you will be given the opportunity to promote your company in front of two co-locating associations
• The popular Young Fence Professionals Happy Hour sponsorship
 
For more information, contact Stephen Dennis at stephen@americanfenceassociation.com or call 314-561-6641.

 
 
The January/February digital edition of Fencepost magazine is now available! Each issue of  Fencepost is archived online so you can easily access all of the industry features, member news, AFA updates and more, with the click of a mouse.
 
In this issue:
• Can't-Miss AFA Education Opportunities Coming in the New Year
• One Week. Three Schools. Unlimited Potential

Start Reading.
 
International Gate Devices
Foam Supplies, Inc.
Association News
 
 
The official AFA 2020 Member Calendar is available!
Keep track of your schedule and upcoming appointments while representing your association.
 
Chapter News
 
   
AFA extends its thanks to the following members who have recently joined the association as first-time members. Welcome to the AFA family!
 
 
   
AFA extends its thanks to the following members who have recently renewed their existing membership. We're glad you're part of the AFA family!
 
MEMBER SAVINGS PROGRAM PARTNERS
 


 The AFA Member Savings Program, a benefit of membership, connects you to 25+ vendor partner programs to help you reduce operating costs on business expenses you already have, such as payroll, office supplies, fuel, shipping, and so much more.

AFA members have saved thousands of dollars each year by enrolling in the Member Savings Program. You can too! Enrollment is free. Click here to learn more and register.

If you are an AFA member and not currently enrolled in the Member Savings Program, please contact AFA’s dedicated savings consultant Dan Pramis at 603-628-2333, Mark Schiavone at mark@membersavingsprogram.com, or info@savings4members.com.

 
 

 

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