A driving force behind the growth and success of the self-storage industry is the willingness by its professionals to constantly challenge the status quo. Self-storage operations have evolved greatly over the last two decades, introducing new facility designs and building materials, enhanced products and services, and a trained staff to meet the needs of its market base. Seeking new markets and new opportunities is kind of a calling card for the industry.

The Inside Self-Storage World Expo will venture into new markets and offer ample new opportunities to attendees at this years fall show, Oct. 4-6, in Tacoma, Wash., at the Hotel Murano and the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. It will be the first time the ISS Expo has been held in the Pacific Northwest in more than 15 years.

The ISS Expos ever-expanding international presence, particularly from Canada, made the Pacific Northwest a natural choice for the fall show. The Pacific Northwest has shown above-average economic health in the past few years, and Inside Self-Storage is excited to head for an area that hasnt seen a national-level conference in 13 years, says Danica Cullins, director of ISS event sales. The ISS team looks forward to serving this region, and a wider North American audience, with relevant and immediately useful industry intelligence.

To uncover the needs of this market, ISS hosted a special meet-and-greet with Canadian operators at the expo in Las Vegas, March 14-16. The 25 people in attendance came from several facets of the Canadian self-storage industry, including developers, facility owners and suppliers of building materials. The consensus from those in attendance was the Canadian self-storage market is in its infancy with plenty of room for growth.

In addition to three education tracks with 30 seminars, the fall expo will also feature a special track dedicated to self-storage development and operation in Canada. Four workshops, multiple peer-to-peer networking events, and an exhibit hall with more than 75 of the industrys leading suppliers round out the three-day event.

Veteran professionals and new speakers will take center stage, and the industrys leading vendors will be at the event to demonstrate the newest and best products and strategies to take your storage business to the next level, Cullins said.

A New Leader

While the expo will feature several new speakers, theres one in particular making news. John Siefert, CEO of ISS parent company VIRGO, will lead a special workshop on online marketing. Siefert has many years of experience in this arena, most recently leading the InformationWeek and Tech Web teams as senior vice president. During his 15-year tenure at United Business Media, Siefert was responsible for the strategic direction, growth strategy and evolution of a multi-faceted online, print, event and services network covering the corporate technology market.

The Online Marketing Workshop will show self-storage operators how to maximize and grow their brands on the Web. Attendees will learn how to create and claim business listings on the major search engines, boost their listing in search results, and optimizing their own websites to draw more customers.

A New Venue

The Hotel Murano, located in the heart of downtown Tacoma, is an attraction like no other. The hotel features a world-class art collection in the lobby, and was voted one of the worlds best hotels in the Condé Nast Travelers Readers Choice poll two years in a row. 

Hotel Murano is close to many downtown hotspots, including popular restaurants, unique boutiques and spas, and the Chambers Bay Golf Course, which will host the 2015 U.S. Open Championship. Art aficionados will also get their fill with the nearby Tacoma Art Museum and Museum of Glass.

ISS attendees can take advantage of a special room rate, $159 per night single/double occupancy. The rate is applicable Oct. 2-7, and based on availability through Sept. 9. To make reservations, call 888.862.3255 and mention the ISS Expo to secure the discount rate. To view hotel details and amenities, visit www.hotelmuranotacoma.com.

For the complete agenda and to register, visit www.insideselfstorageworldexpo.com .