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The American Fence Association (AFA) hosts one flagship annual trade event, FENCETECH, plus a rolling calendar of chapter-level education and networking events. FENCETECH is the association's "premier annual trade event," and the next edition is scheduled for March 1–5, 2027. If you are looking for local, lower-commitment gatherings, the chapter calendar is where you will find them — recent listings include a Fence Foreman School in Poughkeepsie, NY (Sep 30), a Texas Chapter Golf & Casino Night with Education in Grapevine, TX (Oct 1), an Upstate Apple Picking & Education event in Red Hook, NY (Oct 2), and a Colorado Chapter Topgolf & Education event in Thornton, CO (Oct 7).

FENCETECH: The Annual Trade Show

FENCETECH is the AFA's largest recurring event and the one most relevant if your goal is to see products, take classes, and meet suppliers in one trip. The site describes it as bringing together "innovation, education, and connection," with workshops and expert-led sessions.

What the event covers, based on the AFA site:

• Attend — general attendance at the show
• Exhibit — supplier and manufacturer presence on the show floor
• Learn — workshops and expert-led education sessions
• Network — structured connection with other industry professionals

2027 dates: March 1–5, 2027. The AFA lists this as a "save the date," so treat the dates as announced but check the event page for registration opening, venue, and session schedules before booking travel.

Who FENCETECH Is For

The AFA also sells supplier-facing opportunities around the event, including sponsoring AFA University, exhibiting at FENCETECH, and advertising with AFA.

Chapter Events: Education Plus Networking

Beyond FENCETECH, AFA's 20 chapters run regional events that mix training with social formats. The pattern visible in the current calendar is an education component attached to a recreational activity — a golf night, a casino night, apple picking, or Topgolf — which lowers the barrier for attending compared with a multi-day trade show.

Examples from the AFA calendar:

• NY/LI Chapter — Fence Foreman School, Poughkeepsie, NY (Sep 30)
• Texas Chapter — Golf & Casino Night with Education, Grapevine, TX (Oct 1)
• NY/LI Chapter — Upstate Apple Picking & Education (FFS), Red Hook, NY (Oct 2)
• Colorado Chapter — Topgolf & Education, Thornton, CO (Oct 7)

Because these are chapter-run, the specific content, cost, and registration process vary by chapter. Use the AFA calendar as the entry point and follow the individual listing for details.

How to Find and Register for Events

1. Go to the AFA website and open the Events section or the calendar.
2. Scan upcoming listings — chapter events and FENCETECH appear in the same calendar area.
3. Open the specific event for date, location, and registration details.
4. For FENCETECH specifically, use the event page to choose between attending, exhibiting, or sponsoring.
5. If you want advance notice, use the site's email signup ("Be the first to know") to get event and member-benefit announcements.

Expected result: you should end up on either a registration form for a specific event or a save-the-date page if registration has not opened yet.

Common Snags

• Chapter events are not centrally standardized. A listing may show a date and city without full pricing or agenda, because the chapter handles those details.
• FENCETECH 2027 registration may not be open. The site currently presents it as a save-the-date; do not assume you can register immediately.
• Login may be required for some areas. The site has a "Join / Login / MyAFA Portal" structure, so member-only content or pricing may sit behind an account. The available material does not state which event pages require login.
• Dates can shift. Verify before making travel arrangements, especially for chapter events posted months ahead.

Where Events Fit in the Broader AFA Offering

Events are one of four pillars the AFA presents on its homepage: Join (membership), Grow (education), Lead (volunteering), and Succeed (events). The association reports 1,800+ member companies, 10K employees, 20 chapters, and a presence across 50 states and 15 countries. If your interest is certification rather than events, the AFA's education side includes AFA University, career pathways, schools, certifications, and approved education providers — a separate track from the trade show and chapter calendar.

The American Fence Association (AFA) is a trade association for the fence, gate, and perimeter security industry. It serves fence and gate professionals—contractors, suppliers, and related businesses—by providing education, networking, certification, and industry advocacy. According to the association's own site, it describes itself as "the largest and most comprehensive resource in the fence, gate, and perimeter security industry," with a reach of 15 countries, all 50 U.S. states, 1,800+ member companies, roughly 10,000 employees, and 20 chapters.

If you work in or around the fence and gate trade and want training, credentials, or industry connections, the AFA is the organization to look at. If you're a homeowner just looking for someone to install a fence, the AFA is relevant mainly through its Contractor Locator tool rather than as a direct service provider.

What the AFA actually offers

The association organizes its work around a few core areas:

• Education and certification — AFA University (AFAU) offers online education, career pathways, schools, and certifications, plus a certification testing process and a network of approved education providers.
• Membership and member benefits — Membership includes access to benefits, chapters, special interest groups, volunteer opportunities, and industry awards (including the Pro Awards).
• Events — The flagship annual event is FENCETECH, described as the premier annual trade event for the industry. The next listed dates are FENCETECH 2027, March 1–5. Chapter-level events run throughout the year (for example, a NY/LI Chapter Fence Foreman School, a Texas Chapter golf and education night, and a Colorado Chapter Topgolf and education event).
• Advocacy — AFA runs government relations and advocacy updates, and has publicly applauded the approval of new gate safety standards for 2027 I-Codes.
• Resources — Publications, an online store, the Fence Industry Index®, Fence Pulse®, and a Contractor Locator for finding professionals.
• Supplier opportunities — Businesses can market through AFA by sponsoring, exhibiting at FENCETECH, or advertising.

Who it's for

The AFA also runs an Education Foundation that funds academic and training scholarships and accepts donations.

How to engage

The site's main entry points are Join (membership), Events (calendar and FENCETECH), Education & Certification (AFAU and testing), and Resources (publications and the Contractor Locator). Members log in through the MyAFA Portal. You can also subscribe to email updates for events, member benefits, and FENCETECH news.

Contact details listed on the site: 3751 Main St., Suite 600 #373, The Colony, TX 75056; phone 800-822-4342.

What to keep in mind

• The AFA is an industry association, not a regulator or a consumer protection agency—its standards and advocacy work inform the trade, but membership isn't a government license.
• Specific membership pricing, certification fees, and event costs aren't stated in the available site information, so check the membership and events pages directly before budgeting.
• Chapter activity is regional; what's available to you depends on whether there's an active chapter near you.

The American Fence Association (AFA) is the largest resource in the fence, gate, and perimeter security industry, spanning 15 countries, 50 states, 1,800+ member companies, and 10K employees across 20 chapters. Membership gives you access to education and certification, networking through chapters and special interest groups, volunteer and awards opportunities, and exclusive discounts. You join through the AFA website's Join page or the MyAFA Portal.

Education and Certification

AFA positions education as a core member benefit ("Where You Grow Education"). Members can access:

• AFA University (AFAU) — the association's education arm, with an AFAU Online component
• Career Pathways — structured routes into and through the industry
• Schools — including chapter-hosted events such as the NY/LI Chapter's Fence Foreman School
• Certifications and certification testing
• Approved Education Providers — a vetted network for continuing education

If your goal is credentialing or training your crew, this is the most concrete benefit cluster. Check the AFAU Online and Certification pages for current course and testing details, since specific requirements aren't listed on the homepage.

Networking: Chapters, Groups, and Community

AFA's 20 chapters run local events that combine education with networking. Examples from the AFA calendar include:

Beyond chapters, members can join Special Interest Groups and the AFA Connected Community, an online member forum. If you want local contacts plus a national peer network, these two channels cover both.

Volunteer Opportunities and Industry Awards

AFA frames this as "Where You Lead Volunteer." Members can:

• Take on volunteer opportunities within the association
• Participate in Industry Awards and Pro Awards programs

These matter most if you want visibility, leadership experience, or recognition for your company within the fence and gate trade.

Exclusive Discounts and Supplier Access

The AFA description cites "exclusive discounts" as a membership benefit, though the homepage does not itemize them. Members also get Supplier Opportunities — pathways to market through AFA, sponsor AFA University, exhibit at FENCETECH, or advertise with AFA. If you're a supplier rather than a contractor, this is your main entry point.

Industry Resources and Tools

Membership connects you to resources that support day-to-day business:

• Contractor Locator — a directory that can route customer inquiries to member companies
• Publications and the AFA Online Store
• Fence Industry Index® and Fence Pulse® — industry data products
• Advocacy and Government Relations updates, including AFA's work on gate safety standards for 2027 I-Codes
• Gate Safety Resources and Industry Standards guidance

The advocacy angle is worth noting if regulatory changes affect your installations — AFA publishes updates such as its 2026:Q2 Advocacy Update.

FENCETECH: The Annual Trade Event

FENCETECH is AFA's premier annual trade event, described as bringing together "innovation, education, and connection." The next edition is scheduled for March 1–5, 2027. Members can attend, exhibit, learn, and network. If you join primarily for one event per year, this is likely it.

How to Join

The AFA homepage lists Join as a top-level navigation item, alongside Member Benefits and Chapters. To become a member:

1. Go to the AFA website and select Join.
2. Review Member Benefits and Chapters to confirm which tier or chapter fits your business.
3. Complete the application; existing members manage their accounts through the MyAFA Portal.

For questions before joining, AFA lists a phone line (800-822-4342) and email ([email protected]), with offices at 3751 Main St., Suite 600 #373, The Colony, TX 75056.

Is Membership Worth It for You?

• Contractors who want certification, local chapter contacts, and a directory listing: the education and Contractor Locator benefits align well.
• Suppliers seeking market access: Supplier Opportunities, sponsorship, and FENCETECH exhibiting are the relevant paths.
• Companies focused on advocacy and standards: AFA's government relations work and gate safety standards involvement are a direct fit.

Pricing and membership tiers are not published on the homepage, so confirm current dues and terms through the Join page or by contacting AFA directly before committing.

The American Fence Association (AFA) offers education and certification through AFA University (AFAU), which includes online courses, defined career pathways, schools, certification testing, and a network of approved education providers. If you work in the fence, gate, or perimeter security industry — or want to enter it — these programs are the main way to build credentials through AFA. Training scholarships are also available through the AFA Education Foundation for those who need help covering costs.

AFA University (AFAU)

AFAU is the association's education arm. According to the AFA site, it covers:

• AFAU Online — online education courses you can access through the site.
• Career Pathways — structured routes for progressing through the industry.
• Schools — in-person or organized training events (for example, chapter-hosted "Fence Foreman School" sessions listed on the AFA calendar).
• Certifications — formal credentialing, including Certification Testing.
• Approved Education Providers — a directory of providers whose training AFA recognizes.

The subject matter is specific to the industry: fence, gate, and perimeter security education.

Certification

AFA lists Certifications and Certification Testing as separate sections under Education & Certification. That structure tells you the process has two parts: identifying the certification you're pursuing, then sitting for a test. The site does not publish certification names, exam fees, or eligibility requirements on the pages reviewed here, so confirm those details directly through the AFAU portal or by contacting AFA before you plan around a specific credential.

How to Access the Programs

1. Go to americanfenceassociation.com.
2. Use the Education & Certification menu to reach AFA University, Career Pathways, Schools, Certifications, Certification Testing, and Approved Education Providers.
3. For online coursework, use AFAU Online; for member-specific content and records, the site references a MyAFA Portal and Login.
4. Check the Events calendar for scheduled schools and education sessions — recent listings include chapter events such as the NY/LI Chapter Fence Foreman School and a Texas Chapter education night.

Expected result: you either land in an online course, register for a scheduled school, or reach the certification testing path. A common snag is that some areas (portal, online courses) sit behind a login, so set up or confirm your account access first.

Scholarships and Funding

The AFA Education Foundation offers Academic Scholarships and Training Scholarships, and accepts donations to fund them. If cost is a barrier to a course or certification, this is the route to check. The site does not state award amounts or deadlines in the material reviewed, so verify current terms with the Foundation.

Who This Is For

• Contractors and installers wanting formal training or foreman-level education.
• Companies sending staff through AFAU or chapter schools.
• New entrants following Career Pathways into the trade.
• Anyone seeking an AFA-recognized certification or an approved education provider.

AFA describes itself as the largest resource in the fence, gate, and perimeter security industry, with 1,800+ member companies across 50 states and 15 countries — so the education network is broad, but much of it is organized through membership and chapters. If you're not yet a member, check whether a specific course or certification requires membership before enrolling.

The American Fence Association (AFA) publishes a Contractor Locator on its website, and that is the tool to use when you want to find a fence, gate, or perimeter security contractor. It points you to AFA member companies, which operate in the fence, gate, and perimeter security industry. Use it as a starting list, then verify licensing, insurance, and local requirements yourself before hiring.

What the AFA Contractor Locator Is

The AFA describes itself as the largest and most comprehensive resource in the fence, gate, and perimeter security industry. Its membership footprint gives you a sense of the pool the locator draws from:

The Contractor Locator sits under the site's Resources section, alongside Publications, the AFA Online Store, the Fence Industry Index®, and Fence Pulse®.

How to Use It

1. Go to americanfenceassociation.com.
2. Open the Resources menu and select Contractor Locator.
3. Search by your location to see member companies serving your area.
4. Note the companies that match your project type — fencing, gates, or perimeter security.
5. Contact each one directly to confirm they handle your specific job and service your address.

The locator is a directory, not a booking system. You still reach out to contractors yourself.

Why a Member Listing Is a Starting Point, Not a Guarantee

AFA membership signals that a company participates in an industry association with education, certification, and standards work. The AFA runs AFA University, career pathways, schools, certifications, certification testing, and approved education providers, and it maintains industry standards and gate safety resources.

That context helps you ask better questions, but it does not replace your own checks. Before signing anything, confirm:

• State or local licensing and registration requirements for fence and gate work where you live
• Current liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage
• Whether gate work involves automatic operators, which carry their own safety considerations
• Written scope, materials, timeline, and warranty terms

Where AFA Standards and Safety Information Fit In

The AFA maintains gate safety resources and industry standards, and its news page has covered the approval of new gate safety standards for 2027 I-Codes. If your project includes an automatic or sliding gate, ask contractors how they handle gate safety and which standards they follow. This is a reasonable way to compare bids on more than price.

Other AFA Resources Worth Knowing

• Chapters — 20 chapters run local events and education; a chapter near you can be a source of local contractor contacts.
• FENCETECH — the AFA's annual trade event, with the next one listed as FENCETECH 2027, March 1–5.
• Industry Awards and Pro Awards — recognition programs that can help you spot established companies.
• AFA Online Store and Publications — background material if you want to understand materials and terminology before you buy.

Quick Checklist

• [ ] Search the Contractor Locator for your area
• [ ] Shortlist companies that do your type of work
• [ ] Verify license, insurance, and local permit requirements
• [ ] Ask about gate safety standards if a gate is involved
• [ ] Get written scope, timeline, and warranty
• [ ] Compare at least two or three quotes

If you cannot find a member company nearby, expand your search radius, check the chapter covering your region, or ask the AFA directly — the association lists a phone number (800-822-4342) and an email address on its contact page.