The Inside Self-Storage World Expo at the Paris Hotel & Resort, March 1-3, is the ideal venue to meet with more than 150 of the industrys top vendors representing a highly diverse range of offerings. Youll have the opportunity to ask questions, demo products and collect valuable information.

January 28, 2010

4 Min Read
Beyond Products and Services, Self-Storage Vendors are a Treasure Trove of Knowledge

In a few short weeks, thousands of professionals will be gathered at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo in Las Vegas, the industry’s largest conference and tradeshow, looking for the information, products and services they need to propel their self-storage business through the year ahead. When it comes to tradeshows, many attendees assume the exhibit hall is all about sales. Not so. Our exhibitors harbor a wealth of industry knowledge, and in a challenging business environment, they can be one of your best sources of ideas and guidance.

It’s true every self-storage business requires certain products and services to operate: security equipment, management software, marketing materials, a website, retail merchandise, insurance and much more. These items are necessary to customer service, corporate branding and a facility’s overall success. But the suppliers who work with managers and operators just like you every day understand the unique challenges you face―and what you need to surmount them. Discussing your goals with experts face to face is a fantastic strategy for gathering insight.

The ISS Expo at the Paris Hotel & Resort, March 1-3, is the ideal venue for this mission. There you can meet with more than 150 of the industry’s top vendors representing a highly diverse range of offerings. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, demo products and collect valuable information. Here’s a sample of the type of knowledge to be gained from exhibitors: 

On Management Software

Allow yourself and your staff several weeks to become familiar with new management software. Many mistakes, negative feelings toward the new software and frustration can be avoided if you take a little time. A good software should be powerful enough to assist with all facets of your self-storage operation and easy to use.  It should not be cumbersome or require a lot of computer experience to operate.

―David Essman, Director of Marketing, Sentinel Systems Corp., Booth #301 

On Facility Sales

Only one out of five employees asks for the order when he answers the phone or deals with customers face to face. Want to make a difference in your gross rented units? Train your employees to ask for the business! Capture every contact name, phone number and e-mail so you can keep in contact cheaply for when customers need rental space the next time.

―Steve Leach, CEO, Shoppers’ View, Booth #629

On Web Design

Time for a website redesign? Be sure to plan ahead. Designing a website from scratch is often easier then redesigning a current one. With the time it takes to get good search position, you don’t want to eliminate URLs that are ranked currently. Before you start, make sure you: create a list of what you have now, decide what you will keep and what you won’t, and finally, create a 301 redirect for anything from anything discontinued to the new page.

―Christopher Baird, CEO, Automatit Inc., Booth #429

On Real Estate

The market for selling self-storage properties is improving. Capitalization rates are range from 8.5 percent to 10 percent, based on a true trailing 12 months of net operating income, with adjustments for a 6 percent management fee and taxes/insurance. Borrowing is still difficult but not impossible, particularly for low-leverage deals. Consider selling before a loan comes due.

―RK Kliebenstein, President, Coast-To-Coast Storage, Booth #501 

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get direction from the industry’s top consultants, builders, software engineers, architects, brokers, insurance agents, marketing specialists, sales trainers, security experts, financiers, attorneys and others. The ISS exhibit hall is an all-encompassing classroom for industry, in-the-trenches know-how.

Created for self-storage industry owners, managers, developers, investors and suppliers, the ISS Expo comprises three days of educational seminars, product and service exhibits, and networking opportunities. It will take place at the Paris Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas, March 1-3. The event focuses on strategies for generating revenue and perfecting business branding in a demanding economic environment. When the going gets tough, the tough turn to the ISS Expo!

For details and to view a complete list of exhibitors, visit www.insideselfstorageworldexpo.com

Save money while you can! 

It’s not too late to take advantage of pre-registration discounts! Register for the ISS Expo today and save up to 22 percent on our education packages and add-on workshops. Offerings include: 

  • Standard Education Package

  • New Premium Package

  • Expo-Hall Package

  • Legal Learning Live

  • Marketing and Sales Boot Camp

  • Management Workshop

  • Developers Seminar

Learn more and register at www.insideselfstorageworldexpo.com.

Related Articles:

Self-Storage Education: Intense Focus on Critical Issues at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo

Compete and Excel in a Challenging Self-Storage Market: ISS Expo Education

ISS Expo: D.C. Show a Success, Vegas Shines Bright on the Horizon

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