Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/213702
84 • DECEMBER 2013 • WORLD FENCE NEWS The Vinyl Manufacturers Association (VMA), a division of the American Fence Association, represents the interests and serves the needs of all vinyl fence, deck and railing related companies. If you represent one of these companies but do not yet belong to VMA, there is no better way to learn more about the association than at FENCETECH2014. In addition to the VMA's Deck & Railing University Boot Camp, the association will hold its annual meeting and Presidential Roundtable on Wednesday, March 5. Full details may be found at www.fencetech.com and in the FENCETECH preview section of this issue of World Fence News. As another example of the VMA's activities, there are currently posted online PDF presentations of recent webinars regarding code compliant vinyl deck and guardrail systems, Vinyl deck boards: Determining code compliance (July 2013 webinar presentation), and Vinyl guards and handrails: Determining code compliance (March 2013 webinar presentation). VMA officers and members will be available at the show to answer any questions you might have, so look them up! In the meantime, here is a brief background on VMA from the AFA Learn more about the Vinyl Manufacturers Association web site: VMA (formerly the Vinyl Fence, Deck & Railing Manufacturers Association (VFDRMA) is pursuing strategies to assure a bright future for vinyl fence, deck and railing. VMA is working for widespread support from all levels of the industry to ensure that all levels of membership have a voice in the advancement of its strategic objectives. Deck & Railing Boot Camp This training is held in conjunction with FENCETECH/DECKTECH. Work side by side with some of the nation's top deck designers and builders and get hands-on personal knowledge from an experience that doesn't exist anywhere else. Experience the industry guidelines and specifications first-hand by actually building a deck from the ground up. Learn the details of deck framing, including the spans and connections of posts and beams, and various joist framing techniques. Explore current decking and fastening options. Install railings and even cut some stair jacks. Conclude the training by constructing roof structures over the decks. This special industry-specific BOOTH NO. 539! training session will set you on the path to the profitable outdoor living market. Registration is handled through the FENCETECH site. VMA strategic objectives The VMA was formed with a mandate to advance the following strategic objectives: • Develop product performance standards to govern manufacturers and establish a comprehensive accreditation program to ensure ongoing compliance with established standards. • Collectively influence the development of product code requirements for fence deck and railing products. • Develop a marketing campaign to promote the use of vinyl fence, deck and railing products. • Develop a third party market intelligence collection program to solicit, assemble and disseminate market statistics and intelligence. • Monitor the activities of consumer and environmental advocacy groups and deploy counter measures to advance the public perception of vinyl fence deck and railing products. • Develop trade and consumer educational programs to demonstrate the engineered performance of vinyl fence, deck and railing products. • Formation of strategic alliances. Membership benefits Membership in the VMA will ensure the advancement of these noteworthy objectives and position your firm to be recipient of the following benefits: • Contribute to the development of industry performance standards that will ensure the positioning of vinyl fence, deck and railing programs to the design and consumer communities at large. • Develop an effective network of industry peers, vendors and potential customers to support and advance your individual business units. • Participate in an educational platform to advance the VMA strategic objectives and collectively lobby for needed building code and trade reforms. • Advance your firm's reputation through the promotion of your active participation in the association in all market communications. • Benefit by the listing of your firm as a member in good standing in the association directory and web site. • The VMA web site will provide links to active member sites to continued on page 86