The most popular use for the Inside Self-Storage classifieds section has always been to promote self-storage properties for sale or to seek managers and management teams to operate a self-storage facility. When we launched the Self-Storage Talk online community in January 2008, we immediately had inquiries from industry owners, brokers and management companies who wanted to know if it was OK to post these kinds of "wanted" items to the forum.

Within certain perameters, we have allowed this type of posting on SST, but in the case of real estate, it had to occur in a very generalized marketplace forum. Position-related queries were relegated to our Staffing, Education & Training forum, which is really intended for information exchange about human-resources issues. After careful consideration, we've decided to provide dedicated market space to address these specific needs of self-storage buyers, sellers, owners and managers.

We're pleased to introduce two new forums on the SST website: Real Estate Listings and Investment Opportunities and Job Fair. Anyone can use them, and they are absolutely free. There are only two fundamental conditions:

1. You must be a registered Self-Storage Talk member to view or create posts in these sections. Forum membership is absolutely free. (If you're not already registered, you can do so HERE.)

2. Brokers and management companies may post about facilities for sale or positions to be filled, but they may not engage in self-promotion of their companies. We want to provide users with helpful information about things they might need, not bombard them with advertising.

So ... If you're an owner with a facility for sale or an owner/investor looking to buy, even in a specific geographic area, make use of the new real estate forum. If you're a manager looking for job or an owner or management company looking to fill a position, get on board with our job fair. We hope SST can help you make critical connections for the success of your businesses and careers.

On a final note, if you're focused on selling or buying a self-storage property, consider joining us in Las Vegas for the Inside Self-Storage World Expo, March 1-3. The show features a Buyers & Sellers Meeting, an open networking event that allows you to shop or promote facilities based on geographic region. You can even post property listings or queries on our community bulletin board. Read more about this and other events on our expo "Special Events" page.

For expo details, visit www.insideselfstorageworldexpo.com