| March 27, 2023
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Hosted by Security Fence Contractors and partnered with CFCA chapter
AFA U Sacramento will feature 2 schools: FIS and GADS. Plus, arrive a day early for a special one-day Welding School (on April 26). Click ‘Learn More’ below to view details on each school’s topics, and to register online.
Thank you to our sponsors:
D&D, Master Halco and Wood Defender (FIS & Welding School)
D&D, Master Halco and Siren Operated Sensors (GADS)
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Join hundreds of your peers across the country and get certified this year! Self study programs are available for the following certifications:
All testing is done in person at various locations around the country. For the most up to date list of upcoming testing events, please visit https://acieducation.org/events. Check back often as events are added on a regular basis.
Questions on credentialing? Contact Sara Surprenant or (734) 635-8184.
TESTING PROCTORS WANTED
Building a robust proctor network enables AFA and ACI to offer testing events more frequently and in more locations throughout the country. Proctoring requires only a few hours of your time and comes with a $200 stipend for each testing event proctored.
For more details or to apply, please click here.
EDUCATION PROVIDERS – GET CONNECTED WITH US!
Do you or your organization provide seminars, webinars, training, or other education to the fence and access control industry? We are looking for you!
AFA will soon be launching a pilot program to connect industry education providers with certified individuals who need continuing education to maintain their credentials. If your educational training covers topics relating to fence, gate operators/access controls, or running a successful fence business, we want to hear from you! Please contact Sara Surprenant for more details and to get involved.
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 In 2021, Florida law makers passed HB 735 which prevented local jurisdictions from creating and requiring local licenses beyond those already required by state law. This legislation was filed because local jurisdictions began establishing local registration and licensing requirements for fencing contractors and other trades. Contractors were required to hold state business licenses and multiple local licenses to pull permits in each of their service areas.
HB 735 is set to go into effect on July 1, 2023. AFA members report that at least two jurisdictions have acted in anticipation of the new law by requiring contractors doing fence or gate work to secure, carry and hold a Florida General Contractors License. The Florida AFA Chapter, supported by AFA, worked with the FL Home Builders Association to explain to lawmakers the unintended consequences of HB 735.
Because of the AFA’s work with FLHBA, Florida lawmakers have drafted four bills to address how the law is being interpreted at the local level. The legislative session is underway, and AFA continues to advocate for clarifying language for HB 735, and for the benefit of AFA members.
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AFA Volunteers will gather in Nashville to review 2023 action plans, inspire future leaders, and have some fun. Plan to join us to improve your chapter’s board, build your personal leadership abilities, and help AFA plan for the future. Leaders from the board, chapter presidents, committees and special interest groups will all be together to laugh, rejuvenate, and to get a sneak peek of plans for FENCETECH in January 2024. Mark your calendars now, details to come.
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Thank you to all who attended and helped support this year’s FENCETECH! In all, we had over 4,600 in attendance from all 50 states and 30 countries in OKC! It was another fantastic show, and we couldn’t have done it without all of you. Save the date for FENCETECH 2024: January 23-26 in Nashville!
Interested in increasing your year-round visibility to AFA’s members? Contact Jim Hawarden at (314) 561-6717 or jim@americanfenceassociation.com.
Look for a full write-up on FENCETECH events, award winners, and more in our upcoming March/April issue of Fencepost magazine!
 
   
 
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.png) Join our Facebook group, AFA Women in Fence. AFA’s mission is to connect women in the fence industry with others in similar roles and communities.
It’s not too late to join the Women in Fencebook club. We are currently reading “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott, and we’re on chapter 2! Next Zoom meeting is April 4 at 5:00 p.m. MT.
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%20(1).png) Join our Facebook group, AFA Young Fence Professionals. Want to get involved? YFP wants YOU! Interested in being a part of a committee or simply want to be more involved with Young Fence Professionals? Go to the Facebook page and Chair Shelby Kelland will fill you in! Looking for a healthy mix of YFP’s and mentors.
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 Together Everyone Accomplishes More!
The AFA Board of Directors is working to enhance the membership experience at the national and at the local levels. For several years, members in southern California have not had the benefit of a chapter experience. Recently, leaders from both northern and southern California met with the AFA Board and agreed that the best way to engage all California members is to partner with the California Fence Contractors Association (CFCA) to provide a single chapter experience.
This partnership has immediate benefits to all AFA members:
- Enhanced networking opportunities with California’s leading fence and gate contractors.
- A united voice in safety, government affairs, and licensing requirements.
- Expanded education and leadership development opportunities.
California distinguishes itself by having some of the best trained, most innovative, and highly successful companies in our industry. Having a single chapter experience will improve communication, encourage engagement, and increase the value of AFA membership.
Leaders in the CFCA have begun an outreach campaign to invite participation to various education and networking events including an April AFA U event in Sacramento, and the West Coast Fence Show in September 2024. As members get engaged, future chapter events will be planned in southern California.
Perhaps the most exciting result of this partnership is the immediate opportunity to get involved and make a difference in the industry. Members can create an impact in California, and there is now an easy pipeline to support national initiatives.
Your questions can be answered by CFCA President Tim Nordstrom, (916) 793-0737 or AFA Executive Director Michael Reed, (512) 431-5360.
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AFA Chapters are a valuable benefit for members across the country. The chapters actively pursue the association's mission by providing a wide range of educational opportunities, networking events, mission project work, professional development, and industry knowledge for professionals in the fence industry.
To learn more about getting involved with AFA chapters, and to find the one nearest you, visit www.americanfenceassociation.com/membership/chapters.
Contact memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com with questions.
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The January/February issue of Fencepost is ready to read online!
Click here to view the full issue, or follow the links below to jump directly to some of our top features:
Want to check out our past issues? Click here to be directed to the full Fencepost digital archive.
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Akron Better Business Bureau & IRS.gov
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released their report of top 2022 scams earlier this month, revealing that imposter scams claimed the number one spot. According to a recent update from the Akron Better Business Bureau, there are several key areas where taxpayers should to be especially vigilant this spring, as imposters may be posing as legitimate sources: • W2 emails sent from an employer
• Calls from the IRS
• Website URLs
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AFA would like to welcome the new members who have recently joined the association.
We're glad you're part of the family!
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AFA would like to give a shout-out to our members celebrating anniversaries with the association.
We're honored to mark another year in our partnership!
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 FENCETECH 2023 was a huge success - terrific attendence, learning opportunities and meaningful conversations.
For the 10th consecutive year, your AFA Member Savings Program was available in the AFA Booth to talk with members about the many ways to leverage our Group Buying Power.
Members continue to enjoy savings and increased company revenue through our exclusive supplier programs. MSP Supplier representatives from Alliant Insurance, Synchrony Financial and Batteries Plus were also at the show talking with members about their needs and suggestions. Member interest in providing Consumer Financing, Business Insurance and sourcing day to day operational needs at competitive prices were the hot topics.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to talk with us!
New MSP Supplier - GPS Insight
In addition to our Fleet Savings Programs with WEX Gasoline, Discount Tires and Batteries Plus, we have added GPS Insight to better manage your company's vehicle expenses. With GPS Insight your fleet and field employees can get the job done faster, safer, and smarter. GPS Insight offers a variety of innovative solutions for accountability, compliance, efficiency, and safety, such as GPS tracking, smart cameras, field service management, compliance management, and more.
Learn More
CardConnect AIP - Merchant Services
Three important questions: Have you reviewed your true cost of accepting credit cards lately? Are you looking to earn more from every credit card payment? Are you processing in the most optimum environment?
CardConnect AIP (CC AIP) will analyze your set up as well as any potential savings. Most implementations take less than 45 minutes and the average annualized savings exceeds $20,300 per company.
Learn more
Batteries Plus
Local Business. National Presence. Significant Savings on 12 Volt Batteries. Save on your essential operational products and services.
• Over 25,000 battery & power products, including SLI, SLA, Lithium and custom build packs
• More than 15,000 lighting products
• Smartphone and tablet repair
• Recycling services for batteries & bulbs
Learn more
For more information on all MSP savings opportunities, visit our one-stop registration page or contact Mark Schiavone at (303) 963-6441 or mark@membersavingsprogram.com.
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