Memory Lane

If it seems like it was just a few short years ago we gathered in Salt Lake City for the annual FenceTech Show, you are correct. It was a sort of surreal experience for many of us because, at the exact moment that FenceTech was taking place, the U.S. - and, indeed, the entire world - was being told that the covid outbreak was now officially an epidemic, and it was deadly.

Attendance that year was actually not too bad, because many of us had already arrived in Salt Lake City. Also, many precautions (such as masks and social distancing) were already starting to be the norm, and people were not panicking (that would come later), they were just being cautious.

In February the fence industry heads back to Salt Lake City, and I think it is going to be a great show. The beautiful setting is going to help, and the new leadership (?) in Washington, D.C. will be a great conversation starter throughout the week.

I really want to encourage contractors to be there, if it is at all possible. In addition to being able to see every new product, service and technology available to help your business grow, the educational programs will give you some practical, up-to-date information to help you better manage your business, too. Last year we had such great feedback about our CLFMI program on maximizing profitability with chain link systems that CLFMI will be presenting another program this year on Wednesday morning in Salt Lake City. We invite all of you to be with us as we discuss another excellent opportunity to provide added value to your clients in 2025.

Just a quick note on the U.S. elections. When this column is published, the elections will (hopefully) be over. I know that there are many in our industry who will be pleased with the results, many who will be unhappy with the results, and many who are ambivalent about the results.

Regardless of who the winners and losers turn out to be, all of us in the fence industry will be impacted by the final results in 2025, and beyond. My point is that we will get more done for our industry if we find common ground as we go forward. We should put aside political differences and create industry partnerships based on how our industry can best serve our customers and stakeholders.

This next year will, in my opinion, hold a number of tremendous opportunities for our industry. When we gather in Salt Lake City, and throughout the year, let’s keep our focus on doing what we’ve always done best – delivering top quality products and services to the public, protecting people and property at every level, and providing first-class employment and a safe work environment to our team members.

I look forward to seeing many of you at FenceTech.