Day One turned out to be a great one!  We had a great time at the breakfast, learned a lot at the seminars, and we hope you didn’t stay up too late last night!  Day Two is going to be just as great. After morning seminars, we are going to have the honor of hearing from Lt. Col. Oliver North during “Good Morning AFA.”  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to glean wisdom from this influential and fascinating American.  We can’t wait!  In addition to the days events, seminars and exhibits, AFA has some great giveaways that you need to know about.  Here’s how and what you could win:

$500 Cash – Stop by the AFA booth some time before 4PM today and pick up a raffle ticket.  You can pick up as many as three raffle tickets, and therefore get three chances to win.  Return to the booth at 4:30 PM today for the drawing.  YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!  If you are not there when your number is called, the announcer will draw another number, so don’t be late!

One Registration to Fence Installation School and One Registration to FENCETECH/DECKTECH’12 in Miami – When you attend any product theater, leave your business card in order to be entered into a drawing for one of the two registrations.  Attendance to multiple presentations earns you multiple chances to win.  Though you do not have to be present to win, the drawings for both the FIS and FT’12 registrations will be held at 10:45 AM and 11:00 AM respectively.

“Spot a Sponsor” Giveaway – If you have been collecting stamps on your Spot a Sponsor card as you visited sponsor booths during the show, then be sure to drop off your completed card at the AFA booth by noon, Thursday, February 10.  There will be multiple chances to win, but your presence is not required.  Winners will be drawn in the AFA booth at Noon on Thursday.

Good luck everyone!  Have a great Wednesday!

We hope everyone enjoyed the delicious breakfast that was served this morning and seeing both familiar and new faces!  Henry Winkler was a riot!  We want to take this opportunity to give the award winners some additional recognition. Read the rest of this entry »

FENCETECH’11 Chair Lynn Hayworth, CFP Hayworth Fence Co. Altoona, WI

AFA is excited to welcome everyone to unforgettable Las Vegas, NV! For almost 50 years, the American Fence Association has been setting the standard for excellence in the fence, deck and railing industry! This year our theme “Gateway to Success” focuses on four categories to help you, as an AFA contractor, obtain a distinctive competitive edge.  Highlights of the show include: limitless networking possibilities with industry service and product experts; a live deck collapse during the ever popular Deck Demos; Certified Fence Professional and Certified Automated Gate Operator Installer exams; and last but not least, educational seminars that will equip you with the knowledge to succeed in an ever changing marketplace.  And don’t miss our two exciting keynotes, Henry Winkler and Oliver North! If you have any questions or want to learn more about what AFA has to offer, stop by the AFA booth in the exhibit hall. We’re glad you’re here and have a great show!

The first 15 registrants for Deck & Railing University will receive a FREE full convention package to FENCETECH/DECHTECH’11! Did you know that over 180 people have died, and even more have been injured, as a result of a deck or rail collapse in the last ten years? The deaths and injuries are most often caused by faulty construction methods, unsuitable or substandard materials or lack of maintenance. Because deck and railing is such a serious issue, AFA is encouraging both tenured and new deck and railing professionals to attend this year’s Deck and Railing University, to be held Monday, February 7, 2011 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. This powerful seminar will combine classroom instruction with hands-on field instruction to teach participants how to build safe, code compliant decks. What’s more is that this class will enhance your customer satisfaction and expand your business by giving you a competitive edge! Register at www.FENCETECH.com today to get your FREE full convention package, which includes:

• Admission to any seminar and roundtable discussion
• Admission to FENCETECH/DECKTECH exhibition and all Demos
• AFA Annual Meeting & Chapter Breakfast with Keynote Speaker Henry Winkler
• “Good Morning AFA” Day 2 Kickoff with Keynote Speaker Lt. Col. Oliver North
• AFA’s VFDRMA Division session: “PVC Outlook: Trends in the Industry”

Don’t miss this steal of a deal!

Hey FENCETECH/DECKTECH’11 attendees, we’ve got a winner of our Facebook RSVP contest!  Congratulations to Aaron Fowler of Kansas City, Missouri on winning dinner for two at Camelot’s Steakhouse in Las Vegas!  That means it’s time for the next contest.  Click here to post a photo of your most creative fence or deck installation.  Vote on your favorites between December 2 and December 20th.  The participant with the most votes at the end of the contest wins two tickets to the Tournament of Kings Dinner Show at the Excalibur, Las Vegas ($150 value).  The winner will see invading armies, dancing maidens, jousting, all while enjoying a Medieval-style feast!  So dig into your portfolio and show us your most outstanding work.  For complete rules, click here.  All entrants MUST be confirmed registrants of FENCETECH/DECKTECH’11.

Click here to enter our photo contest today!