| November 20, 2020
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 The AFA Education Foundation (AFAEF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, brings educational opportunities into reach for individuals and their family members in the fence industry by providing scholarships to highly deserving candidates. Scholarships are funded through donations (individuals and companies, chapter donations, etc.) and proceeds from AFA Education Foundation fundraisers (golf tournaments, drawings, etc.).
Scholarships are awarded each year at FENCETECH. Award recipients are chosen based on need and qualifications, and a total of 5 scholarships are available at $5,000.00 each.
Eligible applicants must either be employed in the fence industry or an immediate family member (i.e. wife/husband, child) of a current industry employee. Applicants must also have achieved a “B” grade point average or higher in the previous three years of schooling and have performed a minimum of 40 hours of community service. Applicants do not have to be members of the American Fence Association (AFA) to qualify.
Submit your 2020 scholarship applications HERE. The deadline to apply is January 5, 2021. Award winners will be notified no later than March 3, 2021.
For any questions, please call (800) 822-4342 or send an email to memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com.
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This week, our AFA team traveled to Nashville to meet with the Music City Center staff to discuss important guidelines and precautions to take to ensure that you are safe come February. Keep an eye out as we post weekly FENCETECH updates on our social media pages.
To learn more about our health and safety precautions, CLICK HERE.
Register today for FENCETECH to secure your space and reserve your hotel room. Registration is no risk, if the situation changes in Nashville.
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Did you miss the Online Gate Automation Designer School (GADS) this week? We are launching our first AFA University: On the Road event, which will feature an in-person GADS session in Tampa, FL, December 3-4, 2020. This school is for individuals who design automated vehicular gate systems for either residential or commercial customers. It is also recommended for sales professionals in the automated gate industry.
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 The last chance to nominate an AFA Superstar is quickly approaching! Submit a nomination for an AFA Association Award. The Association Awards recognize members who are committed to the industry and contribute to the work of the AFA.
Tell us who should be awarded Ambassador, Distinguished Service, Contractor of the Year, Hall of Fame, Manufacturer of the Year and an Outstanding Service Award by submitting a nomination. The information about each Award and the eligibility criteria can be found on our website.
The deadline for nominations is 11:00 PM central time on Friday, December 18, 2020.
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 Take 10 minutes and tell us about the best of the best from your company or your peers! The PRO Awards recognize AFA members who have created and installed outstanding fence projects from the past year. Help us identify the best by nominating your company or your peers for a PRO Award.
The PRO Awards recognize the best commercial and residential jobs for the past year in the following categories: multi-use (combination of 2 or more categories), access control, chain link, deck/rail, farm/ranch/agriculture, ornamental, wood, or vinyl. The deadline is just around the corner so go ahead and submit a nomination. More information about Pro Awards can be found on our website.
Nominees must be AFA members in good standing. There is a $10 submission fee per nomination. The deadline for nominations is 11:00 PM central time on Friday, December 18, 2020.
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The FENCETECH 2021 booth draw was a huge success. More than half the show floor is sold! It's still not too late to score a booth in a great space and get your company seen by thousands of potential customers at one of our most popular FENCETECH locations: Nashville, TN.
Check out the latest floor plan, 2021 exhibitor contract and sponsorship opportunities below. If you have any questions or are ready to secure a booth, contact Stephen Dennis at stephen@americanfenceassociation.com or call 314-561-6641.
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Please provide a warm welcome to two of our newest staff members — Joanna Brown and Daniella Carranza.
 Joanna Brown, Sr. Manager, Professional Development, will lead the AFA staff and work with committees and leadership to curate content and guide subject matter experts, manage online learning platforms, develop education resources and execute delivery methods including webinars, video learning, podcasts, etc. Joanna will also manage education activities for all AFA events. Joanna brings a wealth of knowledge in the continuing education sector, she comes to us from a previous trade organization where she implemented and managed their learning management system; administrated e-learning courses, webinars, and onsite education offerings at events. Joanna recently “retired” from Sweet Adeline, a worldwide organization of women singers, established in 1945, committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances. Joanna can be reached at joanna@americanfenceassociation.com or (314) 561-6716.
 Daniella Carranza, Sr. Manager Membership, will lead the AFA staff on all things membership; focusing on providing top notch communication plans to personalize our touch points with our members and prospects by generating awareness of, participation in, and revenue from membership, events, programs, and business partner programs. This will include website and multi-channel marketing strategies to drive growth and retention; becoming an expert on members’ business needs, challenges, and structure to establish effective marketing goals, plans, and campaigns. Daniella comes to us with expertise in marketing and brand identity to expand AFA’s awareness within the industry, and is looking forward to revamping the Young Fence Professionals program with her emerging professionals training experience. Daniella is tri-lingual in English, Spanish and Italian. Daniella can be reached at daniella@americanfenceassociation.com or (314) 561-6624.
To contact our AFA staff, please visit: http://www.americanfenceassociation.com/afa-staff.
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 AFA’s first ever virtual Sales Training School was a huge success! Over 60 students attended the program to learn consultative selling techniques for the fence industry.
 Fortress Building Products generously sponsored the virtual school, and instructors Pat Bailey and Ken Throckmorton did an incredible job of teaching and motivating the students.
Feedback from students was very positive; here are a few comments made by attendees this year.
“I LOVED IT!!!!!! They have a good time and you learn a lot of information.”
“It was really helpful for customer and vendor engagement.”
“I really enjoyed the course. Timing was good and even though it was virtual I still felt included. Amazing!”
“Having Pat as a supplier/manufacturer and Ken as a contractor provided great information for both sides of sales.”
If you missed this session, the next session of Sales Training School will be held in person at FENCETECH 2021 in Nashville. For more details or to register, please visit www.fencetech.com.
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FENCETECH 2021 at Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee is quickly approaching. Each year we have the pleasure of showcasing our exhibiting companies in our show guide and on-site directory, the VOICE, and it is time to review your listing. If you have a new product, new company description or just an update to your address, please fill out this form. The deadline for approval and/or corrections is December 11, 2020.
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BD Loops is pleased to introduce their new hybrid technology loop sealant to the access control industry: BD-LS "Loop Shield." Features include:
- Self Leveling
- Quick Cure: 45 Min Skin Time
- Does Not Bubble when Exposed to Water
- Can be Applied to Wet/Damp surfaces
- UV and weathering resistant
- Wide range of adhesion
BD-LS is comprised of high performance MS Polymer technology, and is low VOC & California Proposition 65 compliant. Local BD Loops suppliers are available to answer questions.
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 Trex Company has been named to FORTUNE Magazine’s 2020 list of the 100 fastest-growing companies worldwide. A top wood-alternative decking and railing company offering high-performance, low-maintenance outdoor living products, Trex captured spot #57 and was the highest-ranked building materials manufacturer on this year’s list.
“We are honored to be recognized by FORTUNE as one of the fastest-growing public companies in 2020 and inspired to continue enhancing the lives of people by engineering what’s next in outdoor living,” said Bryan Fairbanks, president and CEO of Trex Company.
FORTUNE measures and ranks the top-performing companies over three years based on revenues, profits and stock returns. For more information on the FORTUNE 2020 Fastest-Growing Companies list methodology, visit https://fortune.com/100-fastest-growing-companies.
For more information about Trex Company, visit www.trex.com.
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AFA extends its thanks to the following members who have recently joined the association as first-time members. Welcome to the AFA family!
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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!
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Finish 2020 strong by saving your company money while also entering yourself into the Finish 2020 Strong Member Savings Program Contest!
  
 Register for MSP supplier accounts including Hewlett Packard, Ace Hardware, Sherwin Williams, Batteries Plus Bulbs, our Health Plan, MSP 401K Plan, Alliant Business Insurance and more. Each supplier registration equals 1 entry, so you can have up to 6 entries per person.
Contest Period: November 10 - December 31, 2020
Prizes include:
1st Prize - $250 Hewlett Packard Gift Card
2nd Prize - $100 Verns' Toffee Gift Card - Best stuff ever!
3rd - 5th Prize - $50 Restaurant.Com Gift Cards
Members can register at https://markschiavone.wufoo.com/forms/pagc6yr16ntru0.
Just check the boxes next to the suppliers you want to register with for savings. Each supplier request will count as a single entry. MSP will register an account for you or, if necessary, our suppliers will reach out to you to expain the their program and connect your company to their MSP Group Purchasing Program.
There is no purchase necessary - you even get one entry without registration with any suppliers. Complete details of the contest can be found at https://tinyurl.com/y2kbr9el.
Why not have a chance to win great prizes and also save on goods and services your company is already using?
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AFA's Education Foundation
