| February 19, 2021
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Mark your calendar! Registration is now open for Fence Contractor Business School (FCBS), Fence Installation School (FIS) and Gate Automation Designer School (GADS).
Due to safety and health guidelines, space is VERY limited for these events. Early registration is highly recommended.
Fence Contractor Business School (FCBS)
Dallas, Texas // April 11-17, 2021
 Fence Contractor Business School is one of AFA’s newest schools, which debuted to the industry in 2018. Attendees are taught, in an intensive one-week classroom format, the business of the fence contracting industry. The school is targeted toward the next generation of fence contractor professionals, or those who are currently in the fence business and plan to take on an ownership or top management role in the near- or long-term future. These students will learn the business side of the operation and gain valuable education on topics that will benefit them for a lifetime.
What will it cover?
- Marketing, Advertising and Sales
- Estimating and Bidding
- Insurance and Legal Issues
- Accounting and Corporate Structure
- OSHA Compliance and Safety Management
- UL 325 and ASTM F2200
Learn More About Attending FCBS Here.
Interested in becoming a sponsor for FCBS? Click here to see our available sponsorship opportunities.
Fence Installation School (FIS)
Wadsworth, Ohio // April 22-23, 2021
 This course is ideal for new hires and installers with less than two years’ experience, although it is open to fence professionals of all levels.
The course is also effective training for individuals in industry support roles, such as inside and outside manufacturer sales representatives with no previous fence installation experience.
What will it cover?
AFA University On The Road offers an abbreviated version of Fence Installation School (FIS) covering two of the five fence disciplines. This 2-day, intensive course includes classroom work and hands on installation training.
On The Road FIS in Wadsworth, OH will cover these two fence disciplines:
- Chain Link
- Ornamental Metal
Classroom training is provided on Core Topics of importance to all fence installers. The subjects covered during the week are:
- Personal Safety
- Equipment and Tools
- Truck/Trailer Safety and Loading
- Introduction to Blueprint Reading
- Site Reading and Layout
- Introduction to Fence Welding
- Post Hole Digging
- Concrete Mixing
- Post Setting
- Resources and References
Learn More About Attending FIS Here.
Interested in becoming a sponsor for FIS? Click here to see our available sponsorship opportunities.
Gate Automation Designer School (GADS)
Wadsworth, Ohio // April 22-23, 2021
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.
What will it cover?
- UL 325 for automated gate systems
- ASTM F2200 and an Introduction to M.U.T.C.D. – Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
- Types of Gates
- Types of Gate Operators
- Introduction to Electrical Wiring
- Access Control Devices
- Vehicular Detection Systems
- Failure Options
- High Security Applications
- Site Considerations
Learn More About Attending GADS Here.
Interested in becoming a sponsor for GADS? Click here to see our available sponsorship opportunties.
Can I Earn a Certification?
The Accreditation and Certification Institute will offer certification testing in person at the conclusion of each school. Certifications are independent from the schools and require a separate application. Applications for the Certified Gate Automation Designer, Certified Gate Automation Technician, and Certified Fence Contractor programs can be downloaded at https://acieducation.org and submitted to info@acieducation.org. For questions about certifications or testing, please contact Sara Surprenant (info@acieducation.org or 734-635-8184).
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ACI is accepting applications for test sites across the country. If you have more than five candidates in your area who wish to test and a facility that meets ACI’s requirements, we encourage you to apply. Test site details and the application are available at https://bit.ly/acitestsite.
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"The Biggest Little Show in the West" returns September 9-11, 2021 at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada.
Featuring two days of education seminars, an exhibitor show, hourly drawings, a golf tournament, and much more, this is an event not to be missed. Plus, take advantage of the WCFS Education Package, which includes 24 hours of expert instruction, gate and access control courses, business courses, and industry certification opportunities. Click here to view the full WCFS schedule, exhibitor floor map, and room reservation group rates, and to access signup forms for exhibitor booths. For more information, visit www.westcoastfenceshow.com.
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Calling all AFA members! Would you like to attend a chapter meeting hosted at the Galt house in Louisville, KY, followed by a day on Millionaire's Row at Churchill downs?
The event will be held the weekend of June 5th, 2021, and the ticket price will include access to the museum, the races and lunch and seating on Millionaire's Row!
This is an exciting event not to be missed!
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February 15-18, 2022 // New Orleans, LA
Mark Your Calendars as AFA and NOMMA Take Over the Big Easy! We’re making big plans to deliver you a one of a kind show in New Orleans February 15-18, 2022. Join us down South in the unique city of New Orleans as we combine culture, Creole cuisine and history for an unforgettable FENCETECH/METALfab tradeshow experience. Booth draw will be held in late April. Be on the lookout for information in the next few weeks.
See You in New Orleans!
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As a member, you may know AFA recently implemented a new system which will improve our invoicing process. Members will now receive initial invoices 90 days prior to their expiration date both, via mail and email. The team will thereafter send automated email reminders 60 days and 30 days in advance, in addition to a final notice at the beginning of the month of their expiration date. These emails will all include a link to download your invoice and a direct link to log into MyAFA Portal where you can pay online. We are always looking for ways to improve and we want to provide the easiest solutions for each one of you. Rest assure our Member Services team is always happy to provide any assistance if needed and to answer any additional questions! You can reach our team via email memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com or by calling 1-800-822-4342.
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Pacific Home Maintenance recently performed a full website redesign and added a few new perks, including a project gallery and a blog. Check out their new look at https://pacifichomewa.com, and view some posts about their recent jobs at https://pacifichomewa.com/blog. Stay tuned for more updates, plus educational content, coming soon.
AFA is pleased to welcome Pacific Home Maintenance as a new association member this year!
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DoorKing introduces  its new model 6006 Swing Gate Actuator: an American-made, low voltage system designed for residential and commercial vehicular swing gate applications. It features an overlap setting for bi-parting gates, magnetic lock power (AC version only), built-in high current warning and much more.
 DoorKing is also pleased to announce that its DKS Cloud Server is now available. The Cloud replaces PC-based software with a hosted cloud solution and can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection. Visit www.doorking.com for more information.
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AFA is saddened to announced the passing of Eddie Howell, past president of the International Fence Industry Association and cherished friend of many AFA members.
Eddie Howell
September 8, 1926 – February 1, 2021
William Edward Howell was born on Sept. 8th, 1926 in Roanoke, VA, to Okey Tell Howell & Lizzie Daniel, the third of five children. He grew up in Huddleston, VA and attended Huddleston High School. Because of WWII, he joined the Navy at age 17 and served in the Atlantic aboard the USS Pope DE-134, a ship that was involved in the capture of the U-505 on June 4th, 1944. After he was discharged from the Navy, he returned home to complete his high school education, graduating in 1947.
He excelled as a catcher for a baseball team and was almost drafted to play for a Major League Team, but decided to go to college instead. He attended Phillips Business College in Lynchburg, VA, and later went to Kansas City, MO for further education. He then went to work for Western Electric, installing telephone office equipment. It was during this time that he met Billie Dulaney, who was an elevator operator in the building where he worked. After 6 weeks of dating, they were married on May 14th, 1948, and were inseparable from that day on.
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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 or celebrated membership anniversaries with the association. We're glad you're part of the AFA family!
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