Women in Fence needs your input! Please help us out by taking the brief survey below:

TAKE THE SURVEY

Also, as we gear up for our next events, we want to make sure that you are getting the latest information.  So, if you have not already, please officially join the AFA Women in Fence Special Interest Group (it’s free with your AFA membership!). To join just click here and select Women in Fence from the list of available individual memberships.

If you have not logged into AFA’s online portal before or can’t remember your password, simply click the Forgot Password button on the login page and enter the email address AFA has on file for you, then follow the prompts.  If you need assistance logging in, we are happy to help you at memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com or 1-800-822-4342. 

Once you’ve joined the Women in Fence group, you’ll automatically receive access to the Women in Fence Connected Community page.  Here you can contribute your knowledge to an ongoing discussion or post a question to get feedback from your peers!  You can also find upcoming event information posted in the community. 

Finally, are you active on Facebook?  Join the AFA Women in Fence Facebook page for even more conversation and connection. 

Do you want to get your brand and message in front of AFA’s fence contractors year-round? We offer a variety of ways for you to reach them.

• AFA Membership: Get involved in the industry association that’s made specifically for your customers! Whether you’re accessing the Member Directory, participating in the online member-only community where contractors and suppliers connect, networking at chapter events, giving of your knowledge and time on committees and education, or taking advantage of reduced rates for exhibiting over your non-member competitors, membership gives you the access to reach your target market!
• AFA University Online: The new educational hub of the American Fence Association offers comprehensive education and training to fence, gate & perimeter security professionals. Here, you can sponsor featured courses, display a year-round virtual exhibit booth, have your logo or commercials included in summits and webinars, participate in online panel discussions or even create your own learning management system for your company. You can find more information on sponsorships here.
• AFA University In-Person Courses: Give back to those industry professionals who are looking to improve their skills, advance their careers and gain recognition for their commitment to personal growth. AFA offers several opportunities around the country for those interested in Gate Automation, Fence Installation, Sales Training, Operations Management and more!
• AFA Industry Partner Program: AFA wants to partner with you. That’s why we’ve created the Industry Partner Program. This program allows you to increase your year-round visibility by sponsoring the events and items that get you in front of your prospects and customers. The more you invest, the more visibility you get! Don’t turn down free exposure! Reach out today.

For more information, contact Jim Hawarden, Director, Exhibits & Sponsorships at (314) 561-6717.

An AFA Approved Education Provider is a member organization that has registered with AFA to provide education that meets the recertification standards for AFA’s credentialing programs. 

There are many benefits related to this new program, designed to connect education providers with certificants looking for continuing education opportunities.

Benefits to Education Provider:

• Promotion of Education Provider’s approved courses to all certified individuals on a regular basis
• Listing of Education Provider’s approved courses on AFA’s website with links to register

Benefits to Certificants:

• Provides continuing education opportunities in one central location, with easy-to-find hours for recertification
• Reduces reporting burden on certificants – all hours earned through Approved Education Providers will be directly reported to AFA and applied to certificants’ online profiles for use in recertification applications

If you are part of an organization that provides education and/or training on topics related to fence (installation, materials, standards, etc.), gate operators/access control (installation, design, standards, etc.), or business (sales, leadership, operations, efficiencies, etc.) and would like more information on this program, please contact sara@americanfenceassociation.com.

If you are a current CFC, CGAD, CGAT, or COM, please watch your email in the coming weeks as we begin listing available continuing education opportunities through this program.

Are you ready to join hundreds of your peers and level up your career? Sign up today and start working toward your Certified Fence Contractor, Certified Gate Automation Designer, Certified Gate Automation Technician, and Certified Operations Manager designations. More and more testing events are being added to our 2024 calendar and we invite you to join us!

Upcoming testing events include:

• Salt Lake City, UT - July 26
• Pennsylvania/New Jersey Area - September 2024 (dates TBD)
• Reno, NV – September 6-7, 2024
• Hawaii – October (city and date TBD)
• Tulsa, OK - November 8-9, 2024 (AFA University)
• Dallas, TX – November 9, 2024 (AFA University)
• Salt Lake City, UT - February 26-27, 2025 (FENCETECH)

To submit your application and reserve your seat, please click here.

Questions? Contact Sara Surprenant at sara@americanfenceassociation.com. 

One of the most valuable benefits available to AFA members is participation in our country-wide association chapters.  We offer learning, networking and community participation opportunities year-round. Find the chapter closest to you at www.americanfenceassociation.com/membership/chapters.

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.

The American Fence Association's chapters are a valuable member benefit! Find your local chapter and get involved this spring and summer.

JUNE 8
Colorado Chapter Sporting Clay Shoot
Longmeadow Game Resort & Event Center — Wiggins, CO

JUNE 29
Golf South Chapter Meeting
Top Golf — Baton Rouge, LA

AUG 15
North Central Chapter Golf Outing & Chapter Meeting
White Eagle Golf Club — Hudson, WI

SEP 5 – 8
CFCA/Pacific Northwest/ Rocky Mountain Chapters West Coast Fence Show
Peppermill Hotel & Casino — Reno, NV

Questions? Contact memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com.

AFA is eager to spotlight member company Safeguard Solutions, based in Indianapolis, Indiana! They specialize in cutting-edge perimeter security solutions for a wide range of industries.

President and Director of Operations Ted Brown tells AFA: “We are dedicated to providing robust, reliable, and technologically advanced systems to ensure the utmost safety and protection of critical assets."

Describing what he likes most about being in the perimeter security industry, Ted reflects on the ability to revolutionize and change the perimeter security industry to help push and adapt the commercial and industrial clients into the new age with perimeter security solutions.

Connect with Safeguard Solutions via LinkedIn.

We’re happy to spotlight AFA member company Mayser USA Inc. out of Belleville, Michigan! Mayser produces UL 325 compliant safety edges, and sells wireless transmitters and safety relays.

The company was originally founded in the year 1800 in Germany, and as their manager Ian Nissen states, “We are pioneers of safety."

Nissen believes that the industry is very closely connected, which leads to valuable, long-lasting relationships. The company is excited to meet other members, promote safety in the industry, and develop trust in their product.

Make sure to connect with Mayser USA Inc on LinkedIn.

As you jump into late spring and early summer fence jobs, you're likely already encountering a variety of fence decor themes cropping up just about as quickly as the flowers.

Your clients will appreciate your creative knowledge when it comes to the types of fences and fence designs that will bring their outdoor space to life.

Some great examples:

• Bamboo garden trellis fence
• Alternating slat fence
• Lattice privacy fence
• Vinyl fence with flower pot hangers

Skim some of the fence decor styles in this feature for inspiration.

Photo and article courtesy of Yahoo/Hearst & Garden Therapy.

HBR.org
Do your employees understand what the words and sentences in your company's strategy or mission statement really mean? Do they know how to express the strategy to clients effectively? As a leader, it's essential to make sure your employees are equipped with the knowledge they need to be an effective team member and brand ambassador. Here are three recommendations to help you do just that.

Read More...

Did you catch the feature in our March/April edition of Fencepost magazine about high-security fences for public venues? AFA member O. Jay Fence Company shares some pointers – and unique experiences – that offer new insight into the world of fencing for public spaces such as airports, stadiums, zoos, and more.

Read the article here.

Check out the full issue, as well as our past issues, in the digital edition archives here.

Turn up the energy at your company with some fantastic Batteries Plus deals through your AFA Member Savings Program. Take advantage of these and many other savings opportunities to help you keep more money in your pocket this summer.

Batteries Plus is offering significant price reductions on a wide variety of products. That means you can stock up on key battery items this spring at a steep discount. For example, BP Sealed Lead Acid 12-volt 5AH Battery now starts at $12.54.

Just email Batteries Plus at member@batteriesplus.com to learn more about the MSP discounts available to you as an AFA member.

Remember, be sure the local store rings up your order using your special AFA Member Savings GPO account.  If you don't know your account code via the GPO, ask the associates to look it up for you.

See all of our Member Savings Program partners here.