Join CMCFA
Forty years of fabricators making each other better. Membership is open
to marine canvas, auto upholstery, and awning professionals — and to
the suppliers who serve them.
CMCFA is a non-profit trade association run by working fabricators. We exist for one reason: to help the people in this trade get better at it — through hands-on education, an annual conference that's run since 1987, and a network of shops that actually help each other.
What Membership Gets You
Hands-on education
Seminars led by award-winning fabricators who want the next shop to succeed.
Access to the conference
Members only. Registration is separate and priced at cost - CMCFA doesn't profit from it.
Fabricators who show up
Members who answer the phone, answer the email, and come to your shop.
Two printed magazines
Your shop listed in both the conference and mid-year magazines.
Free advertising on our website
Your shop listed in our public fabricator directory - the page boat owners land on when they're looking to hire. No ad fee, no upcharge.
Member portal
Training videos, supplier discount coupons, conference registration, and your renewal in one place. The professionally filmed conference seminars go to members who attended.
What Membership Gets You
Hands-on education
Seminars led by award-winning fabricators who want the next shop to succeed.
Access to the conference
Members only. Registration is separate and priced at cost - CMCFA doesn't profit from it.
Fabricators who show up
Members who answer the phone, answer the email, and come to your shop.
Two printed magazines
Your shop listed in both the conference and mid-year magazines.
Free advertising on our website
Your shop listed in our public fabricator directory - the page boat owners land on when they're looking to hire. No ad fee, no upcharge.
Member portal
Training videos, supplier discount coupons, conference registration, and your renewal in one place. The professionally filmed conference seminars go to members who attended.
THE BIGGEST THING WE DO
The Annual CMCFA Conference
What registration covers
Hotel and meals
Every seminar, all three days
Market Day with our supplier members
The awards banquet
Professionally filmed seminar videos — attendees only
Priced at cost
CMCFA doesn't make money on fabricators at the conference. Registration covers what the conference costs to put on — nothing more. Putting it on well is the point.
Registration is separate from your annual dues, and you must be a member to attend.
What It Costs
FIRST YEAR
$125
Includes your application and a welcome CMCFA plaque for your shop wall
EVERY YEAR AFTER
$100
Renews in July each year
One membership covers every owner and employee at your business — and there's no parent organization to join first.
Dues cover your membership year. Conference registration is billed separately at cost.
How to Join
Fill out the application
Name, shop, contact details, and what kind of work you do. Takes about three minutes.
Send proof of registration
Your business need to be federally registered - attach the documentation with you application.
Pay your first-year dues
$125, payable online (ACH, Credit Card, Paypal or mail a check).
You're in
You'll get portal access, your directory listing, and an invitation to register for the next conference.
Proudly Supported by Our Industry Partners
We’re grateful for the suppliers and industry partners who support CMCFA and help strengthen the
marine canvas, auto upholstery, and awning industries.
Before You Join
Everything below comes from questions fabricators actually ask us — about cost, eligibility, and what you get for the dues. If yours isn't answered here, email [email protected] or call (443) 569-2017 and you'll hear back from a person.
1. Who can join CMCFA?
Marine canvas fabricators, auto upholstery professionals, awning fabricators, and the suppliers who serve those trades. Your business needs to be federally registered — we'll ask for proof of registration with your application.
2. What does membership cost?
$125 your first year, which covers your application and a welcome CMCFA plaque for your shop wall. It's $100 every year after that. You can pay by ACH, credit card, PayPal, or mail us a check.
3. When does my membership expire?
Memberships renew in July each year. You'll get a reminder before then with a link to renew in the member portal.
4. Do I have to be a member to attend the conference?
Yes, the conference is for members. Registration is billed separately from your dues and priced at cost — CMCFA doesn't make money on fabricators at the conference. Once you're a member you can register right in the member portal.
5. Can my employees use the membership too?
Yes. One membership covers every owner and employee at your business — there's no per-person fee and no separate seats to buy.
6. I'm a supplier, not a fabricator. Can I join?
Yes. Supplier members are a core part of CMCFA — they serve on the board, they bring product to Market Day at the conference, and they offer discounts to member shops through the portal.
7. What's in the members portal?
Training videos, supplier discount coupons, conference registration, and your annual renewal. Every member gets those whether or not they make it to the conference. The professionally filmed conference seminars are separate — those are released only to members who attended.
Before You Join
Everything below comes from questions fabricators actually ask us — about cost, eligibility, and what you get for the dues. If yours isn't answered here, email [email protected] or call (443) 569-2017 and you'll hear back from a person.
1. Who can join CMCFA?
Marine canvas fabricators, auto upholstery professionals, awning fabricators, and the suppliers who serve those trades. Your business needs to be federally registered — we'll ask for proof of registration with your application.
2. What does membership cost?
$125 your first year, which covers your application and a welcome CMCFA plaque for your shop wall. It's $100 every year after that. You can pay by ACH, credit card, PayPal, or mail us a check.
3. When does my membership expire?
Memberships renew in July each year. You'll get a reminder before then with a link to renew in the member portal.
4. Do I have to be a member to attend the conference?
Yes, the conference is for members. Registration is billed separately from your dues and priced at cost — CMCFA doesn't make money on fabricators at the conference. Once you're a member you can register right in the member portal.
5. Can my employees use the membership too?
Yes. One membership covers every owner and employee at your business — there's no per-person fee and no separate seats to buy.
6. I'm a supplier, not a fabricator. Can I join?
Yes. Supplier members are a core part of CMCFA — they serve on the board, they bring product to Market Day at the conference, and they offer discounts to member shops through the portal.
7. What's in the members portal?
Training videos, supplier discount coupons, conference registration, and your annual renewal. Every member gets those whether or not they make it to the conference. The professionally filmed conference seminars are separate — those are released only to members who attended.
Ready When You Are
Join today and you'll be eligible to register for the 40th Annual
Conference, February 18–20, 2027
