Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the self-storage industry has been abuzz with terms like “contactless,” “touchless,” “virtual,” and “remote.” They’ve been necessary to describe the new customer experience, which aims to deliver our products without forcing people to communicate face-to-face with facility staff. But when it comes time for us professionals to explore the latest knowledge, trends and products in the business, there’s really no substitute for onsite, in-person interaction.

If you’re looking to start, grow, improve, buy or sell a self-storage operation this year, bring yourself on down to the Inside Self-Storage World Expo in Las Vegas, April 11-14, where you’ll find plenty of engaging and even hands-on experiences to discover what you need to know and make critical business connections (and friends) along the way. Our new venue, Caesars Forum Conference Center, is the perfect place for learning, fact finding, information gathering, meeting and networking—all with a healthy dose of live energy, communication and collaboration.

Immersive Education

Every ISS World Expo offers a full slate of education seminars, and this one will continue to deliver, with 42 sessions spread across seven theme-based tracks. (For details about track contents, speakers and more, visit www.issworldexpo.com.) To make this program more interactive and allow attendees quality time with our expert presenters, we’ve bolstered it through Overtime With the Experts, in which you get 30 minutes after each session to ask the speaker questions in a more comfortable roundtable format.

There’s also our robust lineup of eight half-day workshops, which are retooled each year to keep pace with today’s evolving self-storage industry. Here’s an overview:

Development Workshops (Planning Phase and Building Phase). These two events on April 11 provide a comprehensive course for anyone who plans to build. They begin in the morning with an overview of national development activity, feasibility and site selection, team assembly, the zoning process, and site design, then continue in the afternoon with a deep discussion of construction options including ground-up, multi-story, conversions, renovations and more.

Investing Workshops (Critical Essentials and Detailed Strategies). These back-to-back events on April 14 provide an overview of the self-storage market and guidance to enter it successfully. In the morning, presenters will discuss investment vehicles and criteria, realistic returns, potential risk, and more. Later in the day, you’ll settle in to explore specific strategies, pro formas and forecast returns. You’ll also hear case studies of successful and failed investments.

Management Mastery Workshop. Get a full grasp of what it takes to operate a self-storage facility today. This 8 a.m. session on April 11 explores the day-to-day role of the property manager, discussing sales, customer service, marketing, revenue management, maintenance and crisis management. This is a great opportunity to bring new employees up to speed and update the skills of more experienced team members.

Advanced Operation Workshop. This afternoon event is designed for hands-on owners and division or regional managers as well site managers who have greater decision-making authority. Our presenters will cover high-level operational issues including policies and procedures, staffing models and training, performance metrics and reporting, and more.

Intensive Legal Workshop. This high-demand morning session on April 14 addresses the two main legal issues operators grapple with every day: the rental agreement and tenant defaults. Our presenter will cover these lynchpin topics plus many others that greatly impact the success of your business.

Digital Marketing Workshop. Cut through the chatter that can make this part of the business intimidating and walk away with proven strategies you can leverage immediately to improve leads and conversions. Join our presenters at 1 p.m. on April 14 when they demystify digital marketing and make it more manageable for operators of all types.

Engaging Network Events

While education is a cornerstone of this conference, no ISS World Expo is complete without its full slate of interactive networking events. Not only are we bringing back popular favorites, we’re adding several new options in 2023! The below are can’t-miss for attendees who want to explore products, connect with service providers, network with business contacts, socialize with peers and make new friends.

Table Talks (roundtable discussions): Here’s your chance to rub elbows with colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere. Exchange ideas on dozens of industry subjects, with each conversation led by an industry expert.

Q&A Sessions: Choose from Investing & Development, Management & Marketing and Technology & Security. Join these open-forum, no-holds-barred discussions, each guided by two industry experts. This is your chance to ask questions as well as share your own knowledge and experience!

Legal Chat With Jeff Greenberger: It’s a rare thing to get free access to a lawyer, so take full advantage of this opportunity! No industry-related legal quandary is off-base, so ask pertinent questions and get the knowledge you need to minimize your risk exposure.

Exhibits: Our expo hall offers one of the most hands-on experiences of the ISS World Expo, with more than 200 product and service suppliers from every segment of the business just waiting to interact with you. Get facetime with your current and future vendor partners and enjoy demonstrations, giveaways, samples and more.

Buyers & Sellers Meeting: Looking to acquire or sell a property this year? Don’t miss this chance to engage with fellow owners, investors and realtors. Share your listings and wish lists. Complete your exit strategy. Find the property of your dreams!

We’re also unveiling several new events this year including a reimagined cocktail reception called Party on the Plaza, a Women in Storage Education enrichment event, two facility tours, Speed Networking for Facility Operators (a professional take on speed dating!) and a full-day boat/RV-storage workshop hosted by Toy Storage Nation. More details about these offerings to come soon!

The in-person show experience simply can’t be replicated in the self-storage industry! Join us for this year’s ISS World Expo and enjoy the immersion and engagement our agenda has to offer. Get details and register at issworldexpo.com.