Time and time again, I've heard this answer when asking people why they don't attend the annual Inside Self-Storage World Expo in Las Vegas: "It sounds like an amazing event, but I just don't have the money, especially considering the cost of travel and hotel nights." Similarly, I've heard, "I'd love to go, but my owner makes those decisions, and he doesn't think it's worth the travel and hotel costs. There's really nothing I can do about it."

Actually, self-storage managers, there is something you can do about it: Enter the Loving Las Vegas contest, sponsored by Chateau Products Inc.., on Self-Storage Talk (SST). Beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 25, and running through Valentine's Day, managers (or owner-managers) can take a shot at winning a prize package valued at nearly $1,200 that includes:

The key to the contest is submitting up to three ideas that respond to this prompt: "Share a revenue-producing idea for your facility that has not been implemented." Each applicant, identifiable by his/her forum username, may submit up to three responses at any time during the range of the contest. (Multiple usernames for one person are not permitted.) These can be written in one forum post or in separate posts. Though the contest does not have rounds or progressive elimination, all posts are viewable to site members and other applicants, making it more difficult to submit original ideas as the contest progresses. Judges (the ISS editorial team) will review submissions as they are made and select two winning ideas, each from two different contestants.

The thread and contest will close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Feb. 14, 2012. No late posts will be considered. The judges will select two winning responses, each from two different contestants, that best satisfy these criteria:

So, if you want play, here's what you have to do:

ISS and SST are thrilled to be able to give a couple of well-deserving managers a chance to learn in Las Vegas, and we look forward to the great ideas you have in store for us.