| November 25, 2024
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 The AFA’s Government Relations Committee needs your input! Please take a moment to fill out our government relations survey. Your participation in this survey is extremely important, as we will be using your responses and opinions to form our 2025 policy agenda.
Be sure to fill out the section with your contact information and be automatically entered to win one of three possible prizes!! We will draw the names of the winners in early February when the survey closes.
Take the Survey
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Have you made plans to join us in Salt Lake City, February 24-28? As a fence, gate, or perimeter security professional, FENCETECH is where you belong. Experience unmatched opportunities for learning, networking, and growth. Plus, register before December 17 to lock in early bird pricing.
Check out the education schedule, exhibits floor, and more using the button below.
Register Now
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As we wrap up another successful year of 2024 Women in Fence events, we want to invite you to attend our first Women in Fence Forum of 2025, which will be held in person at FENCETECH in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 24th – February 28th. Attend WIF's in-person forum on Thursday, February 27th at 4:00 p.m. You can sign up for the event through the link below.
Register Now!
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Get ready to be part of THE event of the year at FENCETECH 2025 – Pickets & Peaks!
 Held on Tuesday, February 25 from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM at the Salt Palace Convention Center, this legendary party brings together the Fence Fam for an unforgettable night of networking, entertainment, and fun. Teaming up once again with Magnolia Fence & Patio and APEX Fence & Construction, the American Fence Association is ready to top last year’s excitement and have multiple ways for your company to support this event, with options to sponsor food stations, bars, and games. And this year, all attendees can sponsor a custom branded snowboard that will be displayed outside of the entrance of the party throughout the week!
Secure your spot and take your brand to new heights at FENCETECH 2025 – where business meets celebration in style! Click here for the sponsorship brochure and details. If you know you want a snowboard or two (one to keep in your office and one to use on the slopes), click here.
Reach out to Jim Hawarden, Director of Exhibits and sponsorships with any questions!
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 The Association Awards recognize AFA members who have made significant contributions to the association and the fence industry.
Click on each category for award details and eligibility requirements. Nominate an industry leader for one or all categories at no cost by January 5, 2025.
Submit Association Award Nomination
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 AFA members who created and installed an outstanding project within the last two years can submit for a PRO Award in one or more of the following eight categories:
- Access Control
- Chain Link
- Deck and Railing
- Farm/Ranch/Agriculture
- Multi Use - Projects that encompass 2 or more categories
- Ornamental
- Vinyl
- Wood
New this year, there is no cost to submit a project! Review the eligibility requirements and submit your project by January 5, 2025.
Submit PRO Award
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That’s a wrap! The 2024 edition of AFA University has officially concluded! A huge thank you to our sponsors, supporters, instructors, and students for making this event a success. We truly appreciate each of you and can’t wait to see you all again at FENCETECH 2025 this February!
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AFA University Online, launched this summer, is your go-to hub for comprehensive eLearning on various fencing topics, including fence fundamentals, gate safety, career pathways, and business operations.
As fence contractors seek training and answers, we've created exciting sponsorship opportunities for suppliers. You can showcase your brand in our year-round virtual exhibit hall, sponsor free sessions, webinars, and summits, or even establish your own employee training portal on AFA’s site!
For more details, check out the sponsorship buyer's guide or reach out to Jim Hawarden, Director of Exhibits & Sponsorships, at 314.561.6717. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your visibility in the fencing industry!
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 AFA will award five scholarships of $5,000 for higher education pursuits. A fence and gate professional or the child of an employee in the fence and gate industry are eligible to apply. View the full criteria and application details below.
The deadline to apply is Friday, January 17, 2025.
Scholarship Details
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On December 2nd, Catherine Mills-Reynolds joins Joe Everest, "The Fence Expert," for a legislative update at Thornton Fence Consulting Group’s Annual Fence Business Conference in Branson, MO.
Get the latest insights on what to expect in the upcoming year as we prepare for a new administration in the White House. Don’t miss this essential event!
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 AFA Indiana/Kentucky Chapter President Shane Catton was recently quoted in a Mason Private Locating article on SAFE digging and private location of utilities! They're an amazing partner and active member of the American Fence Association, and Catton was pleased to weigh in on a variety of points, including the importance of utility marking before fence installation.
Read the article on Mason Private Locating's website here.
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AFA is pleased to spotlight a selection of AFA member contractor projects in Fencepost magazine throughout the year. Yours could be in our next issue! Just send photos and a project description to AFA editor Meghan Stetzik at editor@americanfenceassociation.com.
Check out last issue's featured companies in our Sept/Oct issue!
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 Meet Green Forest Wood Products, LLC. This company has been a trusted supplier of premium White Cedar fencing materials since 1960, offering pickets, backrails, posts, and prebuilt panels nationwide. With locations in Duluth, MN, and Oklahoma City, OK, they provide top-quality #1 and #2 rough-cut Northern White Cedar pickets.
As a family-owned business, Green Forest is committed to exceptional service and is expanding to partner with more distributors across the U.S.
Owner Guy Kargl embodies the industry’s resilience, inspired by the saying, “You won’t get rich in the fence business, but you’ll never be without a job.” When not at work, he enjoys flying RC planes, coding, and raising farm animals.
Learn more about this unique company on their website: www.greenforestinc.com.
We’re glad to have Green Forest Wood Products in the AFA family!
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Open PR
"The Fencing Market is poised for significant growth over the next few years, driven by urbanization, technological advancements, and increasing demand for security solutions," according to a recent report from Market Research Future (MRFR).
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Business Wire
ClientFirst Wealth shares six year-end tax planning strategies to reduce 2024 tax liability, including pulling forward expenses, realizing losses, maximizing retirement contributions, and exploring Roth IRA conversions. Don’t miss tips on charitable giving and updates from the Secure Act 2.0.
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Entrepreneur
Discover why business growth plateaus and how to overcome it with four proven strategies: evaluate your systems, refine your marketing, bring in the right talent, and adopt a growth-focused mindset.
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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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Big News – Hotel Engine is becoming Engine!
 We're pleased to offer one stop low prices for our members on business travel through this great turnkey travel solution. You'll see an average of 26% savings off publicly available hotel rates.
Engine gives you the flexibility to change travel plans, visibility into trends, and total control to prevent overspending.Smarter, faster, more powerful tools for business travel all-in-one platform.
Start saving money on your travel needs by completing these 2 simple steps:
STEP 1: Register and Save
Step 2: Be on the lookout for your Engine email invitation to join. Accept the invitation and start saving money right away.
If you have questions or need help, email memberservices@americanfenceassociation.com and we'll connect you with the help you need!
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
