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Secure your spot for AFA University in Arlington, TX before it's too late!
Our incredible instructors will be offering world-class educational and hands-on training sessions throughout the week. Four schools will be offered - find out more and sign up below.
• Gate Automation Installation School (GAIS) SOLD OUT
• Fence Contractor Business School (FCBS) SOLD OUT
• Fence Installation School (FIS)
• Sales Training School (STS)
A very sincere THANK YOU to all our incredible sponsors! Your support makes this event possible, and we're excited to partner with you.
• Ameristar Fence & Security Products
• D&D Technologies USA
• DoorKing, Inc.
• Fence Empire LLC
• Master Halco
• Memphis Tri-State Fence Association
• Siren Operated Sensors
• USAutomatic
• Wood Defender
AFA is Where You Grow!
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Register now for this one-of-a-kind opportunity!
Get ready for an unforgettable experience January 22-26, 2024 at FENCETECH 2024 in Nashville, TN. This epic show will be jam-packed with the latest and greatest innovations in the fence, gate and perimeter security industry. Don't sleep on our new pre-conference workshops and schools starting January 22!
FENCETECH 2024 Registration
NOTE: If you are an exhibitor, we've sent you 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 or questions at Jim@AmericanFenceAssociation.com or by calling +1 (314) 561-6717.
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In October, the AFA Gulf South Chapter helds its annual Clay shoot Tournament and Membership Meeting at Providence Hill in Jackson, MS.
Many thanks to all the attendees and sponsors who made the event a shining success!
Lunch Sponsor:
My Fence Life Podcast
Guide Sponsors:
Ameristar, Cell Gate, Controlled Products, DoorKing
Cart Sponsor:
SAS-Southwest Automated Security
Station Sponsors:
Ameristar, Controlled Products, EMX Industries, CI Fabrics, Master Halco, northstar Controls, Pine River Group, Stephens Pipe & Steel, US Automatic, Viking Access Systems, Fortress Fence Products
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One of the many benefits available to AFA members is participation in our country-wide association chapters. We hope to see you at an upcoming event in your area this winter and next spring!
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December 7, 2023
Colorado Chapter & Meeting Event
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December 7, 2023
Greater Chicago Chapter Meeting
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March 1, 2024
Northeast Regional Tradeshow & Education Seminars
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Sept 5, 2024
CFCA/Pacific Northwest Chapters West Coast Fence Show
We offer learning, networking and community participation opportunities year-round. Stay up to date with all of AFA's upcoming chapter happenings at www.americanfenceassociation.com/events.
Contact AFA staff with questions at memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com.
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 Scott Gamble has been named Business Director for ActiveYards by Barrette Outdoor Living, Inc.®, a premiere brand of high-quality fencing systems within the Oldcastle APG® portfolio. In this role, Gamble will build and execute national strategies and tactics to support the ActiveYards dealer network.
Gamble has been part of Barrette Outdoor Living’s Pro Fence team since 2019, most recently serving as Marketing Director. In addition to ActiveYards dealers, Gamble will work closely with the Pro Fence sales team, product development and marketing teams to continually grow and enhance the ActiveYards program.
“I’m honored to take on this role and to help grow the ActiveYards program,” said Gamble. “Our dealer network is the backbone of the ActiveYards program, and I look forward to supporting them and growing this premiere brand.”
More information at www.activeyards.com and www.oldcastleapg.com.
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Trex Company, Inc. has entered into a scrap supply agreement with Fastenal. Through the partnership, Fastenal is collecting used PE film in its distribution centers, branches, and customer-specific onsite locations and shipping it to Trex to use the material in the manufacture of its composite decking products.
Each year, Trex repurposes in excess of one billion pounds of reclaimed materials in the making of its products, including approximately 400 million pounds of plastic film, making it one of the largest recyclers of PE film in North America.
Through its NexTrex® Recycling Program, Trex partners with commercial businesses and community organizations across the country to collect and transport recycled plastic material to its manufacturing facilities in Winchester, Virginia and Fernley, Nevada. Learn more at www.Trex.com and www.fastenal.com.
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Rio Grande Fence Co. of Tennessee is expanding to Knoxville, Tennessee, in December 2023 with a commercial fence installation facility on Dutchtown Road.
At opening, the site will have the most temporary fence stock of any contractor in East Tennessee and perform permanent fence and gate projects.
The 1.45-acre site housing an office, warehouse, and stock yard will create up to 16 new jobs in the Knoxville economy including administrative, project management, and fence installation crews. For more information, visit www.rgfence.com.
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Catch up on the latest member updates and industry trends in our September/October issue of Fencepost!
In case you missed it...
In our latest issue, AFA professionals in the farm & agricultural fence industry sector shared their insights into successfully scaling up to large projects using the right tools, teams, and organizational strategies.
A little behind on your reading? No worries - you can access the full Fencepost digital edition archives online HERE.
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AFA is Where You Succeed!
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!
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Inc.com
Dive into a world of unexpected wisdom and transformative insights with the Non-Obvious™ Company's curated selection of business books. Moving beyond conventional choices, the company has partnered with Inc. to present the annual Inc. Non-Obvious Book Awards, handpicking the best nonfiction reads that promise to elevate leadership skills and give your business a competitive edge. Read more here.
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IRS.gov
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the indefinite extension of digital signature acceptance, and the use of encrypted email in communications with IRS personnel until October 31, 2025. Initially implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, these digital flexibilities have proven to save time and resources, earning positive feedback from tax professionals, taxpayers, and IRS staff. As the IRS progresses toward a fully digital environment, updates to the Internal Revenue Manual and interim guidance ensure the continued availability of these convenient options while maintaining stringent security measures against identity theft and fraud. Learn More
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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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Since freight carrier YELLOW (formerly YRC Freight), has ceased all operations, 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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Your AFA Member Savings Program has partnered with Experian to provide Employee Retention Credit services for our members. As you may have seen in our September update, the ERC Program recently revised program expectations. 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, even though they will now take a little longer to process claims.
Background and why apply for the ERC?
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.
The deadline to submit the 2020 refund claim is April 15, 2024, and the deadline for 2021 is April 15, 2025. We recommend that members file as soon as possible, in order to be at the front of the line when they finally get caught up.
You can have an Experian Representative contact you by registering your interest HERE.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
