The Inside Self-Storage World Expo wraps up today in the beautiful city of New Orleans. Hundreds of self-storage owners, operators, investors, builders and vendors from around the countryand dozens from around the worlddescended upon the Crescent City for three days of education, exhibits, workshops and more.

We had an amazing turnout for our fall show, said Troy Bix, publisher of Inside Self-Storage magazine. The mentality in the industry is shifting. Operators are no longer focused on surviving the current economic climate, but are now looking forward. Theyre focusing on growing their businesses, training employees and implementing new marketing strategies. ISS Expo attendees found solutions they can take home and implement today to achieve greater success.

The wide range of seminars offered at this years show, Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the New Orleans Marriott, included marketing, financing, construction, development, legal issues, and day-to-day facility management. But it was technology that generated the most buzz. I really enjoyed the online marketing workshops, said Brad Poe, chief operating officer of Stockade Storage in Charleston, S.C. The expo featured several seminars focused on a variety of tech topics, including measuring Web-marketing performance, secrets of search-engine optimization and online branding.

In addition to two days of education, expo attendees enjoyed a lively Q&A session with industry experts Mel Holsinger of Professional Self Storage Management LLC and Jim Chiswell of Chiswell & Associates LLC. The interactive Q&A enabled operators, investors, builders and other industry professionals to discuss the issues they face today. The show also featured five add-on workshops, a Buyers & Sellers Meeting and roundtable discussions.

The exhibit hall opened on Sept. 29 with more than 70 exhibitors displaying self-storage products and services. Companies included developers and builders, brokers, financiers, insurance experts, door manufacturers, software vendors and many others. The opening of the exhibit hall coincided with the ISS Expo cocktail reception, allowing attendees and vendors to meet and greet in a relaxed setting. The cocktail reception was just one of several networking events.

Marc Johnson, an investor looking to purchase his first self-storage facility, was awed by the shows many networking opportunities. The openness and willingness of so many people to share their experiences and knowledge was amazing, said Johnson of Green Cove Springs, Fla.

This industry includes so many welcoming individuals who are willing to share what they know so the industry will thrive and grow. Were extremely grateful to all our speakers, attendees and the exhibitors who joined us in New Orleans, Bix said. Theres a lot of viability in this industry, as evidenced by the success of this show.

The annual ISS Expo in Las Vegas, the industry's largest conference and tradeshow, is slated for March 14-16, 2011, at the Paris Hotel and Resort. The education program will feature the industrys top consultants, developers, marketers and online experts addressing topics such as management, marketing, financing and more. The show will also feature two days of exhibits, add-on workshops, a Technology Marketplace and more. Details about the show will be available in the coming weeks at  www.insideselfstorageworldexpo.com.