| September 28, 2023
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October 12
Rocky Mountain Chapter Meeting
Three Bear Lodge · West Yellowstone, MT
October 19 - 20
Texas Chapter Meeting and Casino Night
Hilton Dallas Rockwall · Rockwall, TX
October 21
Texas Chapter Golf Tournament
Buffalo Creek Golf Club · Rockwall, TX
Stay up to date with all of AFA's upcoming association, chapter and education events at www.americanfenceassociation.com/events.
Contact AFA staff with questions at memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com.
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The AFA Georgia Chapter has officially re-launched! Thank you to the Chapter’s President, Todd Jefferies of Imperial Fence Supply, and all the Georgia Chapter members for all their hard work in making this happen. We anticipate that this will foster a sense of representation, community, and engagement for our Georgia members.
We look forward to all the accomplishments, growth, and success of this chapter!
Exciting News! We have launched the Online AFA Member Community!
We are excited to announce the launch of our Online AFA Member Community that we hope will be a key benefit that elevates the member experience.
This will be a great resource to connect with all AFA members, share ideas, resources, and ask/ answer questions all in one place.
Primary tools you can use in this community:
- Discussions: The community’s discussions features will enable enhanced communication between all members of your chapter.
- Resource Libraries: Each community has an attached Library. This will be where you can access resources and documents.
- Announcements/ Important communications/Event information.
Be on the lookout for daily digest emails from the @connectedcommunity.org email domain to see what your fellow members are talking about.
Please visit http://community.americanfenceassociation.com to access the Online AFA Member Community and get connected!
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Registration is Now Open!!
Registration is now open for FENCETECH 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee! Saddle up for an unforgettable experience January 22-26, 2024. As the country capital's honky-tonk tunes blend seamlessly with the cutting-edge world of fencing, this ain't your ordinary industry event – it's a southern-style shindig of innovation and networking. With workshops and sessions that'll have you two-stepping your way to success, check out the exhibit floor showcasing state-of-the-art products that'll make you holler "Yeehaw!"
FENCETECH 2024 Registration
NOTE: If you are an exhibitor, you will receive a separate email with instructions on how to register yourself and your booth personnel. The button above is for attendees only. Contact Jim Hawarden for exhibitor information at Jim@AmericanFenceAssociation.com or by calling +1.314.561.6717.
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On September 6, Ameristar Perimeter Security acquired the assets of Atlas Security Products Inc., a leading designer and supplier of perimeter security products and solutions. Founded in 2007, Atlas Security Products Inc. is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland with operations that cover the globe.
They are a respected market leader in design and supply of perimeter security products and solutions, including anti-ram vehicle barriers, bollards, cable fence, and plate barriers.
"Through this product line expansion, we are excited to have security solutions that allow us to venture into new vertical markets and improve customer experience with a more comprehensive barrier and bollard offering,” says Keith Armour, Head of Business Segment Perimeter Security at ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems. More information at https://atlasbarriers.com.
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 AFA members: Watch your mailboxes for the November/December issue of Fencepost. We'll be sharing an exclusive FENCETECH preview with information about:
- Accommodations
- Education sessions
- Board and Chapter meetings
- The show floor
- The awards dinner
- Local dining
- Sightseeing opportunities
- And much more!
If you're a member and are not currently receiving a copy of Fencepost, contact memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com to get on the print mailing list.
Miss an issue (or three)? Click here to access the full Fencepost digital archive.
Have a story you'd like to share in a future issue of Fencepost? Email editor@americanfenceassociation.com.
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You’ve worked hard to earn your credentials – now it’s time to show them off! Share your digital certification badges on social media and tag American Fence Association on Facebook so we can celebrate your accomplishment and continue to raise the bar in the fencing industry! AFA is where you GROW! |
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Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor has unveiled a proposed rule aimed at expanding overtime protections for approximately 3.6 million salaried workers. Under this proposal, most salaried workers earning less than $1,059 per week (approximately $55,000 annually) would be entitled to receive overtime pay. The proposal aims to provide additional pay to workers who work beyond a 40-hour workweek and encourages public input during the comment period to consider the needs of today's workforce.
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Inc.com
"Instead of fighting a losing battle, let the desire to procrastinate be your productivity advantage."
If you're currently putting one (or many) things off, don't feel too bad. As a human species, we're wired to procrastinate, says Jeff Haden in this recent Inc.com article. The limbic system, which helps you manage emotional and behavioral responses, can have a powerful sway over your actions and inactions. So, what to do? Give "structured procrastination" a try.
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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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A major freight carrier, YELLOW (formerly YRC Freight), has ceased all operations. This means that members are no longer able to place pick-ups or deliveries through YELLOW or its subsidiaries. The good news is that your MSP has multiple solutions for your LTL, Truckload and Small Parcel shipping needs.Through Partnership, our 3rd Party Logistics provider (3PL), members can select from many LTL carriers when placing shipments. In addition, Partnership has deeply discounted Group Rates with FEDEX Small Parcel Service.
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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As you may know; your AFA Member Savings Program has partnered with Experian to provide Employee Retention Credit services for our members. We chose Experian for their long standing expertise in working with government on various tax credit programs, expertise and preferred member pricing. As you may have heard; the ERC Program has revised program expectations recently and although the additional processing time is unfortunate; the overall thrust of the changes are understandable and positive.
Unlike Experian; the industry has gotten out of hand with the ‘promoters’ that have been filing claims with no regard for the law or their clients. We are really happy about everything the IRS has said, except the additional delay. This doesn’t change the process that much because the IRS is backlogged already. We suspect they will continue to process claims, but just hold the payments until the end of the year.
The good news is that our process was and still is fundamentally supported by ERC statute and IRS guidance. The IRS is still required by law to receive claims and abide by their own safe harbor notices for processing. That said, it’s going to take them a little longer to process claims.
Background and why apply for the ERC?
As you may already be aware, the Employee Retention Credit program (ERC) is a refundable tax credit based on wages and healthcare costs. Eligible employers may be able to receive up to $5,000 per employee in 2020 and up to $7,000 per employee for each qualifying quarter of 2021. You can qualify based on your W2 employee count, and your participation in the PPP loan program does NOT disqualify you.
Many industries were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the CARES Act, the Employee Retention Credit provides a refundable tax credit for businesses that either experienced a significant reduction in revenue OR whose operations were suspended due to government orders.Even if you do not meet the specific revenue reduction threshold, you may qualify due to temporary shutdowns, modifications, travel restriction or social distancing requirements.
FYI - The deadline to submit the 2020 refund claim is 4/15/24, and the deadline for 2021 is 4/15/25.
We are recommending that members file as soon as possible so as to be in the front of the line when they finally get caught up.
You can have an Experian Representative contact you by registering your interest at https://tinyurl.com/mwrux4de.
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