When the American Fence Association (AFA) gathered for its annual convention and trade show in February at the Salt Palace Convention Center, FENCETECH increased the number of its exhibitors from 310 in 2024 to 343 in 2025, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 10.6%. Of those,103 exhibitors were new.  

After posting record attendance of 7,517 in Nashville last year, the rotating event attracted 5,128 fence industry professionals to Salt Lake City from February 24 to 28. Major sponsors included companies like Ameristar Fence & Security Products, D&D Technologies USA, Master Halco, and VEKA Outdoor Living. 

TSNN attended this year’s FENCETECH, and here’s our recap of the association convention and trade show. 

Industry snapshot: “Statistics for the fence industry can be a challenge because of the significant crossover between adjacent industries like landscaping, security, and access control. Publicly available estimates vary depending on methodology, but experts estimate the industry to be approximately $8-10B,” said AFA Director, Exhibits & Sponsorship Jim Hawarden.  

Deeper dive: “The fence and gate industry is healthy because it cuts across several construction segments, including residential, commercial, and industrial. The residential segment remains the cornerstone, driven by homeowners’ desire for privacy, security, and outdoor living improvements,” said Hawarden. “The commercial and industrial segments form the rest of the market, with demand for security and access controls from businesses and government. The push for more durable, maintenance-free materials and the enduring need for property delineation and security ensure that the fence industry will remain strong and continue to grow.” 

Backstory: What began as a visionary idea among a small group of industry pioneers became the foundation of the International Fence Industry Association (IFIA) in 1962, later evolving into the AFA. From just 22 founding members, AFA rapidly grew—reaching nearly 600 members within 11 years and now proudly serving more than 1,500 member companies worldwide.  

Context: AFA touts itself as the largest professional association representing the fence industry with members in every U.S. state, Canada, and 18 other countries outside of North America. The member companies and 19 chapters represent more than 14,000 employers and employees in the industry. AFA members have the opportunity to participate in peer-to-peer networking and resource sharing through chapter membership and annual events, like FENCETECH. 

Why Salt Lake City: “Salt Lake City is a favorite among our members, offering stunning natural beauty and a perfect setting for our events,” Hawarden said. “After a successful past visit, we’re excited to return—it’s a win-win! We get to host a great business event, and our members can hit the slopes afterward.” 

5 Highlights from FENCETECH 2025 

1. Improved customer experience (CX). “AFA has created a platform and a series of educational experiences to help members improve their entire customer journey from initial call to delivery of product or installation,” Hawarden explained. “The rollout of the program began in the conference component of FENCETECH, where leaders from both installation and supplier companies learned the power of systematically connecting customer experience feedback data to performance improvement. AFA's new platform will also benchmark participants' scores, and ongoing education programs will continue to help members improve their businesses.” 

2. Pickets and Peaks Opening Night Party. "THE party at FENCETECH is always our opening night party, which changes its name, look, and feel every year, depending upon our destination,” Hawarden shared. “This year’s theme was Pickets & Peaks, focusing on the natural beauty and gorgeous mountain views of Salt Lake City, included custom snowboards on the walls, designed by our suppliers and fence contractors. Held the night before the show floor opens, this was an exciting event and got everyone ready for the keynote and the show opening the next day!” 

3. Special Interest Group Sip & Seminar Reception. “This event, at the end of the second day of the show, brought together members who are interested in connecting with the association’s four special interest groups: Hispanic Fence Professionals, Veterans in Fence, Women in Fence, and Young Fence Professionals,” Hawarden said. “It provided a chance for members to meet with like-minded professionals and helped them find new ways to grow in their careers.” 

4. The Park. Located on the FENCETECH show floor, the Park was the central hub where attendees gathered to network, grab a bite, and enjoy the lively Biergarten. “The AFA booth and podcast station kept the energy high, while new additions— the Pro & Association Awards Wall—brought inspiration and recognition to the industry’s finest,” Hawarden said. “From celebrating top-tier craftsmanship with the PRO Awards to honoring leadership and innovation with the AFA Association Awards, The Park was a true showcase of excellence.” 

5. The History of AFA Exhibit. “Attendees had the unique opportunity to step back in time with The History of AFA Exhibit, a special showcase within the American Fence Association's booth,” Hawarden said. “Spearheaded by former AFA President Phillip Doyle, this exhibit highlighted the early years of the association, tracing its roots back to 1962.” 

Looking ahead: FENCETECH 2026 will be held January 31-February 6 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.