| July 30, 2024
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In its recent ruling on Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimundo, the Supreme Court shifted power over federal regulations from agencies to judges, overturning a decades-long standard of giving deference to agencies when interpreting ambiguous statutes, referred to as the Chevron defense.
According to Politico, "Now, judges will be freer to impose their own readings of the law, giving them broad leeway to upend regulations on healthcare, the environment, financial regulations, technology and more."
As this ruling goes into effect, the AFA will follow its developments and share any pertinent updates.
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FENCETECH 2025 site visit is officially in the books! The AFA team had the pleasure of collaborating with some of the event's supplier partners, event committee and staff in Salt Lake City, as planning continues for another memorable event.
We can't wait to see you at the Salt Palace on February 24, 2025!
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The Call for Presentations for FENCETECH 2025 has begun. These sessions will be held on Tuesday & Wednesday, February 25 & 26.
Education sessions will be broken into 1 of the following 4 tracks; Business, Sales & Marketing, Install, and Leadership. Please see the link below for more information and to submit your application.
FENCETECH 2025 Call for Presentations
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 Please join us in welcoming Thornton Fence Consulting Group as an AFA Approved Education Provider!
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.
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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:
- 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.
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Are you looking for a way to show your current and future customers that you truly care about their future success and that of the industry? Supporting AFA University schools and the students can be the easiest way to do that!
AFA University consists of six different schools that provide the training industry professionals are looking for. CLICK HERE to see a list of the dates and locations of the schools scheduled in 2024. For more information on sponsoring these schools and other year-round sponsorship opportunities, reach out to Jim Hawarden, Director Exhibits & Sponsorships at jim@americanfenceassociation.com or (314) 561-6717
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AFA is committed to providing you with the tools necessary to achieve your professional goals. We understand that communicating your credentials in an ever-expanding online marketplace can be challenging. That is why we have partnered with Credly to provide you with a digital version of your credentials called a digital badge.
If you have earned your CFC, CGAT, CGAD, or COM designation, or if you have completed FIS, FCBS, GADS, GATS, OMS, or STS, you should have received an email from Credly inviting you to claim your credential. This digital badge contains information describing your credential and allows you to easily share your achievement to LinkedIn and other platforms. There is no fee for this service – only added benefits.
What are the benefits of a digital badge?
- Easily manage, share and verify your learning achievements
- Secure verification adds credibility to your achievement
- Market your skill and expertise to potential customers and grow your business
What happens next?
- Click the button in the email from Credly inviting you to accept your badge
- Create and confirm your Credly account
- Accept your badge and start sharing!
We hope you take advantage of this benefit and enjoy the professional recognition afforded by our badging program. If you have questions, or have not received your badge (check your spam folders), please contact sara@americanfenceassociation.com.
Don’t have your credential yet and don’t want to miss out? We’re here to help! Apply for certification here or register for an upcoming school here!
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 Congratulations to the following individuals who have recently earned certifications through the association!
These professionals earned the Certified Gate Automation Technician credential:
Thomas Day
All Tech Services and Solutions
Jace Glissman
Automatic ACcess Gates LLC
Joe Wegmann
Joe Wegmann Fenceworks
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Our members are the lifeblood of the organization. Your ideas and support for activities and projects are essential to ensure that the work of Committees and the Board of Directors are carried out. And there are direct benefits for you— developing professional management skills, expanding your network, and gaining valuable leadership experience. Most importantly, it gives you the chance to drive and influence decisions, affect governance and policy initiatives, and positively impact the livelihoods of AFA members and their customers.
Give back and help move our industry forward! Volunteer opportunities are open to all members, regardless of industry or volunteer experience. Learn more and apply by August 21 to directly contribute to the future of the fence, gate, and perimeter security industry!
If you’d like to speak to someone or have additional questions, call 800-822-4342 or email memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com.
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The West Coast Fence Show is excited to announce three new classes to the educational lineup:
- Budgeting and Forecasting without a crystal ball
- How to increase profit margins by efficient estimating
- How to transition from residential fencing to commercial fencing effectively
This year's WCFS will be held from September 5-7 at Peppermill Reno Resort and Casino. To view the full schedule, visit www.westcoastfenceshow.com/education.
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The American Fence Association's chapters are a valuable member benefit! Find your local chapter and get involved this summer.
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
SEP 19 - 21
Carolinas Chapter — Carolinas By The Sea
Kiawah Island, SC
SEP 20
Northern Ohio Chapter Meeting & Clay Shoot
Hill 'n Dale Club — Medina, OH
SEP 20
2024 Midwest Chapter Golf Tournament
Shangri-La Resort — Afton, OK
OCT 19
Gulf South Chapter Annual Fundraiser Clay Shoot
Jackson, MS
Questions? Contact memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com.
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Superior Outdoor Products is pleased to announce the hiring of Brandon Ray as Senior Territory Manager based in Columbus, Ohio.
Ray has worked in building materials sales for more than 20 years and in the fencing industry for more than a decade. His territory for Superior includes the Midwest, although he’s serving as a fence leader for the organization.
“Brandon’s knowledge of the fencing market is invaluable to us as a manufacturer,” said Andrew Smucker, Superior’s Director of Sales. “He understands what our fence customers need and is helping the whole team deliver.”
More information at www.superioroutdoors.com.
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Hoover Fence has debute a brand new product: Venus, by Locinox. The plug-and-play motorized gate closer, designed for Pedestrian Gates, is compatible with an assortment of access control devices such as keypads, card readers, and mag locks.
The compact all-in-one gate operator can easily be installed on any type of post and hinge thanks to 3 different arm types. The innovative motor's performance remains unaffected by manual force. When combined with access control, the Venus also works as a low-energy gate opener.
Learn more at www.hooverfence.com
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Thornton Fence Consulting Group officially launched its new website on July 29th.
Sharing the news with followers, the company said, "We’re beyond excited and can’t wait for you to explore all the amazing content and features we’ve added."
Visit the new site at www.FenceConsultingGroup.com.
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This month's member spotlight shines brightly on DFW Fence Pro and owner, Blake Luby.
Based in McKinney, TX, DFW Fence Pro joined AFA in November 2023. They're a full-service contractor, tackling everything from a single picket repair to building an entire ballfield fence! They've been serving the DFW metroplex since 2009, with dedication to quality and customer satisfaction.
For Blake, fencing is more than just a business; it's a passion. He started at a young age, 22 years old to be exact, and it's been his driving force ever since. Whether it's helping his sales team close deals, training his production crew, or being there for his team whenever needed, Blake wears many hats. But his favorite part? Seeing the joy on his client's faces after transforming their outdated fences into something beautiful. That's what truly motivates him!
At DFW Fence Pro, they believe that if you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work. And that's exactly what their company embodies!
When Blake isn't building dream fences, he loves traveling and hitting the golf course.
DFW Fence Pro is on just about every social media platform. Just search for them and get in touch with a team that truly cares.
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Supply Chain Brain
"Streamlining logistics procedures brings various benefits, including increased productivity and cost reduction," notes a recent SCB article. As a result, businesses can plan their inventory levels more accurately, helping them avoid stockout or overstock situations. Additionally, predictive analytics can help identify bottlenecks or disturbances in the supply chain before they impact operations.
Learn More...
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Construction Dive
Whether or not the standard is adopted, legal experts say it can be a helpful tool, providing valuable insight into the agency's views on heat safety.
Learn More...
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HBR
Although it's far from ideal, sometimes vacation isn't 100% relaxation. If you find yourself in this situation, follow these tips to help you get critical work accomplished without losing out on relaxation.
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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Ready to bring the heat this summer? Your AFA Member Savings Program is here to help, offering crucial savings on everything from crew apparel to financial planning. Here are two of our latest offerings exclusively for members.
Save on fuel costs with the WEX Fuel Card from your Member Savings Program ! AFA Members enjoy discounts on fuel, enhanced security features, and simplified expense tracking.
Register and start enjoying the savings today.
Have you conducted a mid year business check up? Now is the perfect time to review your Business Insurance coverages to make sure you have the appropriate coverages and competitive pricing. Coverages include General Liability, Auto, Workmans' Compensation, Property and Casualty and Umbrella.Call Andy Stergiou, who has assisted many NOMMA members over the past 8 years, at 347-330-7792 or astergiou@alliant.com.
Ready to learn more?
See all of our Member Savings Program partners here.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
