With its close proximity to Western Canada, the Inside Self-Storage World Expo in Tacoma, Wash., drew nearly 75 Canadian attendees. The educational component of the show also included a special track for Canadian self-storage operators with seminars on financing, developing self-storage and working with U.S. suppliers.

Robert Madsen (center), president of U-Lock Mini Storage Group and a director for the Canadian Self Storage Association (CSSA), led an exploratory discussion on the differences between the U.S. and Canadian self-storage industries. He also manned the CSSA booth in the exhibit hall, where he talked with potential association members and handed out goodies like ketchup potato chips. It was an ... interesting ... flavor.