What's included in this month's newsletter:

🇺🇸 President's letter

📰 Updates from NIFDA manufacturers

✨ Member spotlight: Knot Just Decks

🏛️ Legislative update – H.R. 4137

💻 Upcoming virtual roundtable

💡 Member education resources

🎸 2024 Convention Preview

📖 Online benefits for NIFDA members

Please note: this newsletter may get clipped in your inbox. If this happens, you can simply click "View entire message" at the bottom to view the entire email.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving...

Thank you to all members who attended the 2023 Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona! We squeezed a lot into 2-1/2 days; highlights include a hilarious keynote from Paul Osincup, dining al fresco for all meals, valuable networking among dealers and manufacturers, live music on the lawn, discovering new resources, meeting a beer burro and mini horse, a lively FMAA panel discussion moderated by Kristin Arnold, a paper airplane contest, and a picturesque desert sunset. Thank you to David McGehee, Convention Chair, and the entire Board of Directors who contributed to deliver another memorable conference. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for next year, Oct. 13-15, 2024, in Bristol, Tennessee!

Following Convention, it is once again time for the annual transition of NIFDA leadership. The Board is saying good-bye to Dan Ziegler, who has promoted transparency and information-sharing across the industry and has served as a bridge between NIFDA and the FMAA during his tenure. Dan Z. also participated in the Charleston site visit and helped to shape one of NIFDA’s most successful conventions. Dan Pitcher is also concluding his Board term. As Chair of the Education Committee, Dan P. coordinated virtual roundtables and convention speakers, and the idea to improve flagpole specifications by providing continuing education credits for architects was Dan’s brainchild. Fortunately, he has volunteered to continue leading that project, so while Dan is rolling off the board, he will remain involved in Association activities. Thank you to both Dans for your service to NIFDA!

We are excited to welcome two NIFDA members to the Board, including another Dan. Dan Ebersold brings a wealth of knowledge and more than a decade of experience at Gates Flag and Banner Company, a multi-generational family flag business with a 150-year legacy. Dan is also president of his homeowner’s association, so we know he’s prepared to lead and trust this role will be a lot more fun! We also welcome Jake Wharton from Concord American Flagpole. After just three years with the company, Jake has become one of the industry’s go-to guys for flagpole product knowledge and a YouTube star on Concord’s channel; we appreciate his technical expertise, sense of humor, and outreach to flag dealers nationwide. Thank you both for your willingness to serve our membership!

In a belated recognition of Veterans Day, I’d like to extend a sincere “thank you” to all who have served under our nation’s flag. Many of the businesses that join NIFDA are led by military veterans, lending even more reverence to the deserving symbol at the center of our industry, the U.S. Flag. Thank you for your service and for upholding our flag’s honor!

Finally, in this season of Thanksgiving, I want to thank YOU – our NIFDA members – for your participation, inspiration, contributions, and innovations that have kept the NIFDA community going for 35 years!

With Gratitude,

Stacey Stewart, Board President

AMI Graphics

• We are offering FREE ground shipping on all orders $200+ placed through AMIResellers.com. Visit AMIReseller.com to order your custom or stock design products totaling $200 or more, and your free ground shipping will automatically be applied.

Annin Flagmakers

• Annin's inventory is almost back to pre-covid levels. We have very large inventory on US flags up to 6x10 in Nyl-Glo, Tough-Tex and Bulldog cotton. We have many large US sizes in stock and should be fully stocked by the end of December on all large sizes. We also have ample supplies of all sewn Historical flags like Betsy Ross and Benningtons.
• Custom flags sales are growing and we are shipping most orders in 2 weeks.
• IF you have any questions please reach out to CS and sales. Thank you.

Eagle Mountain Flag & Flagpole

• Eagle Mountain Flag and Flagpole has the ability on our website for dealers to register with a user name and password to see dealer net costing as well as place orders online for StarGazer's, Summit Trucks & Sentinels. Please email info@emflag.com to request your user name and password.

J.C. Schultz Enterprises, Inc. / FlagSource

• Custom flags from 10x15" up to 40x80' – Production times have improved significantly and our on-time delivery is over 99.5%. FlagSource Custom Flags... Custom Flags that will make you shine with your customers.
• All US flags in stock in both Nylon and PolyExtra on sizes up to 40x80'
• FlagSource is now private labeling all flags with sew in labels at no charge. We are also providing heat transfers on Custom flags only for an additional charge.
• FlagSource Blanket order program coming soon. Contact our team to find out more about the best US Flags on the planet! Get your next order with your name on it. Minimums do apply. 
• Contact us for a quote on your next State or Military flag order.

PLP Composites Home of Zeus Flagpoles

• We are fully staffed and operating at capacity with short lead times for most new and existing orders of Zeus Flagpoles.
• We are working hard at expanding our current capacity where we are and expanding in new areas of Fitzwilliam. This is a 6 mo. to 3 year project and we are all excited about the coming changes & growth.

The National Flag Company

• Custom Applique work is at 2-4 week lead time depending on design and quantity
• Sewn Nation Flags are at 1 week lead times
• Attention Flags and Pennants are at 1 week lead times

All members are invited to share relevant news and updates in the monthly newsletter. Participation is optional.

You may submit your news and updates using the button below at any time. Form entries will be accepted until noon on the 14th of every month, unless otherwise noted (example: you can submit entries to be included in next month's newsletter any time between now and the 14th of next month).

Knot Just Decks

Knot Just Decks began in 1987 in Ken and Ann Woodfill's home on the south side of Fort Wayne. Ken and Ann had recently sold another business, called Ajax Yardworks, that manufactured mailbox posts, wooden deck squares and flagpoles. Ken decided to start a deck-building business that continued to sell and install flagpoles. Ken was a Marine, making the U.S. flag near and dear to his heart.

Ken and Ann were no strangers to hard work and were experts at running a business out of their home while raising five children. As the business grew and their children got older, the children started working with their parents. There was always a strong work ethic in the Woodfill household, as well as a strong Christian upbringing. Ken and Ann believed that God and family come first, period. They transferred that way of life into their business and ran their business by "The Book" (the Bible).

As time went on and the business grew, Ken and Ann relocated to their current location at 3753 Lima Road. A few of their children continued to work at the business well after high school. Unfortunately, Ken's health started to decline in 2007. Ken and Ann decided to consider selling the business. In 2008, their second youngest child, Mike, decided to purchase the business to continue the legacy that his parents started. Sadly, in 2009, Ken passed away from a rare blood disease. Mike continues to run the business with his wife, Becca, the way that his parents started it, which is by "The Book" and the Golden Rule: "Treat others as you would have them treat you."

Knot Just Decks has become Fort Wayne's leader in exterior contracting, providing services for decks, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, seamless aluminum gutters, gutter guards, flagpoles and concrete coatings. On average, they install 130+ flagpoles, service/repair 70+ flagpoles, and sell nearly 550 flags per year.

This year, Knot Just Decks had the opportunity to work on the $5.3 million renovation of the Fort Wayne Veterans Memorial Bridge (previously named the Governor Samuel Bigger Memorial Bridge) along Lafayette Street near The Old Fort. Their part of the project was installing a Concord 50' internal halyard flagpole x 12" butt diameter, Xtreme Series, in 3 sections on a shoe base, flying a 10'x15' US flag. Artist Cary Shafer designed the platform & gold ball designs around the flagpole which are made of (6) 6" & (7) 12" gold anodized ball toppers also from Concord. The Beacon sculpture was designed to represent the six main branches of the military. 

Mayor Tom Henry stated, “the renovation of this signature gateway bridge provides motorists and pedestrians, now, with safe and innovative ways to navigate our city. Years from now, I hope we all take time to look at this bridge from time to time and remember why we’re here: to honor our veterans in our community and celebrate this bridge with a new name. To show our respect to those individuals who have served and who are serving now.”

Knot Just Deck's Director of Operations, Julia Newman had the pleasure of attending her first NIFDA Conference this year in Scottsdale, Arizona. The information and advice from NIFDA members and manufacturers will be valuable in increasing the company flag and flagpole revenue in 2024.

One of the most valuable benefits of being a NIFDA member is the gift of having flag friends all the over the U.S.! Help us get to know each other by using the Member Spotlight Form below to share your story:

Previous member spotlights can be found in the newsletter archives on the Members Only website here.

Pictured on Right is Keith Koster, American Legion Adirondack Post 70 Adjutant, accepting the Betsy Ross Flag from Saratoga Flag Company to promote The Make American Flags in America Act of 2023

NIFDA members are working to spread awareness of The Make American Flags in America Act!

Julye Spinelli, of Saratoga Flag, seized the opportunity to discuss HR 4137 with Keith Koster, American Legion Adirondack Post 70 Adjutant, at the 2023 Veterans Ball in Saratoga Springs, New York.  

Keith was proudly featured in the American Legion magazine, for hiking all 46 of the Adirondack Peaks and displaying an American Legion flag at each summit to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The American Legion (the largest veteran organization with 2.5 million members nationwide).

Koster has expanded his hiking route and is reaching new heights at mountain peaks in each state to promote awareness of the American Legion's "Be the One" Peer Support Program, to end veteran suicide. Saratoga Flag Company provided Koster with an American-made Betsy Ross Flag to take on his hiking journey. Each summit will be highlighted on social media with a photo of Old Glory tagged with the hashtag: #MakeAmericanFlagsinAmericaAct.

Koster’s passion for patriotism, a pillar of the American Legion, will certainly garner more awareness for this important legislation. Keep an eye on the NIFDA Members-Only Facebook group to see the American-made USA flag summiting mountaintops nationwide!

TAKE THE FLAG ADVOCACY CHALLENGE:

You, too, can make the American Flag go viral on your personal and business social media channels. Simply snap a photo of yourself with an American-made U.S. Flag, in your favorite locations, to promote The Make American Flags in America Act.

Also consider donating a Betsy Ross flag to someone in your community to photograph at various  locations and actively post to social media accounts with the hashtag #makeamericanflagsinamericaact.

All dealers and manufacturers are encouraged to reach out to your local and state American Legion leaders; brainstorm new ways to promote H.R. 4137 in your community and online. One of the American Legion’s Pillar Objectives is to Protect the American Flag; read more about the Legion’s Legislative Agenda online.

Share your stories of your American Flag Advocacy with NIFDA, and remember to add the hashtag #MakeAmericanFlagsinAmericaAct, to your social media posts!

H.R. 4137 DETAILS:

The Make American Flags in America Act of 2023, (H.R. 4137), is a bipartisan and bicameral bill, requiring American flags displayed on federal property or procured by federal agencies to be manufactured completely in the United States from American materials. 

This legislation also requires the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study on the enforcement and violations of country-of-origin labeling requirements for American flags sold in the U.S. to ensure integrity of American-made products for consumers.

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Watch this short video for a preview of #NIFDA2024:

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