ANNOUNCEMENTS

Deadline to apply for Education Scholarships: December 1, 2008

The deadline to apply for an American Fence Association Education Foundation Scholarship is fast approaching!  Employees of fence, deck or railing companies and their children are eligible to apply for a $1,500 scholarship for the 2009-2010 school year. 

Scholarships can be used for any level of education beyond high school, including college, junior college, graduate, or trade school.   Recipients are chosen based solely on need, and do not have to be AFA members to qualify.  Scholarship recipients must have achieved a “B” grade point average or better in the previous three years of schooling and have performed a minimum of 40 hours of community service.

Click here for an application.  To be considered for the scholarship, the application must be submitted by December 1, 2008.  Winners will be announced at the Annual Industry Update at FENCETECH’09 in New Orleans on January 14, 2009.  Please feel free to contact Sara Wilson (800-822-4342, saraw@cmservices.com) with questions.

Register now for Sales Training School - February 15-18, 2009 - Anaheim, CA

In these challenging economic times, the better, more professional sales people have an edge. AFA can provide you with training to be one of the best sales people in the industry!

Fence, deck and railing industry sales people, managers and owners who want better skills, to raise their closing percentage and to sell value rather than price should attend AFA Consultative Selling Techniques - Sales Training School, to be held next in a very convenient location on the west coast, at the Anaheim Crowne Plaza Hotel in Anaheim, CA on February 15-18.

Attendees will learn proven techniques from top industry sales experts. The school will teach how to determine customers’ needs and deliver the products and services to best meet and exceed those needs – with practical tools they can put to use immediately.  Student will also complete the DiSC personality profile and learn how to use the results to increase sales results.

Click here for more information and an application. Tuition is $1549 for AFA members and $2399 for nonmembers. Contact Sara Wilson (800-822-4342, saraw@cmservices.com) with questions.

FENCETECH'09 Attendee Registration Notice

ONLINE ATTENDEE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE YOUR ON-LINE REGISTRATION TO VISIT FENCETECH 2009.

EXHIBITORS, PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS LINK. YOU WILL BE EMAILED YOUR PERSONALIZED EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION LINK WHEN EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE.

Dues Renewal Cycle Complete!

AFA has completed the dues renewal period for FY2008-2009. If you are having trouble logging in to the website, contact Leslie Monahan (800-822-4342, lesliem@cmservices.com) to verify that your dues have been paid.

Register Now For Field Training School 2009!

Registration is now open for Field Training School 2009, scheduled for February 27-March 7, 2009 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

AFA’s Field Training School puts it all together for foremen, superintendents, salesman and future leaders. The School teaches innovative installation techniques, provides in-depth knowledge of new technologies and a new pride in fencing. A combination of classroom and hands-on field instruction are provided in eight critical areas of fencing: PVC fence products; Bias Cutting; Chain-Link; Farm and Ranch; Gate Operators; Welding; Wood Fence; and Ornamental Metals.

Click here for more information. Click here for the application. Tuition is $2,399 for members and $3,099 for nonmembers. Application deadline is January 18, 2009. Contact Sara Wilson (800-822-4342, saraw@cmservices.com) with questions.

Don't miss the opportunity to become a Certified Gate Operator Installer!

Registration for the new Automatic Gate Operator Installer Certification program is open at www.dooreducation.com.  If you or an employee are a gate operator installer, please consider sitting for the exam in the near future.

Exam applicants will be charged a $250 fee by IDEA, which administers the certification.  AFA members registering and submitting the required payment to IDEA will receive a Self Study Guide from IDEA and a $50 rebate check from AFA.

Please contact Sara Wilson (saraw@cmservices.com, 800-822-4342) if you have questions about the certification or the exam.