It's the first long weekend in many months, and everywhere, people are planning barbecues, getaways and all those last-minute spring-time projects. With better weather on the horizon for most states (with exception of maybe Arizona, where we brace ourselves for a long season of heat hibernation), folks are breaking out the vacation gear and water toys: coolers, tents, hibachis and swimmies, canoes, boats, RVs and jet skis. The road and the water are beckoning.
Boat and RV storage has long been considered a profitable add-on opportunity for self-storage operations, largely due to the fact that boat and RV purchases are steadily on the rise, and homeowners associations are putting greater limitations on the storage and parking of these vehicles in neighborhoods. More and more consumers are buying boats and RVs, but fewer and fewer of them can keep them at home. Hence, a valuable new profit center for storage owners!
And you don't even need to be near the water or a heavy tourist area. Just be in an easy-to-access location with good security. These consumers are everywhere, and nearly all are looking for storage.
That being said, you can't simply stripe a parking lot or slap up some carports and expect to entice the owners of these luxury vehicles. Oh, no. Like the market for self-storage, the market for boat and RV storage is becoming increasingly competitive, and you'll have to earn that dollar. You'll need to offer covered and fully enclosed spaces for some. And security is imperative, as boats and RVs can be exceedingly pricey. Other customers will insist on amenities like dumping stations, washing bays and gas pumps.
So if you're looking to develop boat and RV storage, either as an add-on to an existing self-storage facility or a standalone venture, you want to make sure you do it right, particularly when it comes to site selection and determining market feasibility. Until now, resources regarding this service were limited to the occasional conference seminar or magazine article. But Inside Self-Storage has just signed on as a sponsor for a special, unprecedented event: a full-day comprehensive seminar titled "Developing Boat & RV Storage: Cruising Into the New Market."
The event is presented by Caesar Wright, president of Mako Steel, and RK Kliebenstein, president of Coast-To-Coast Storage. Both are well-known, seasoned professionals of the storage business. They'll cover all critical aspects of developing a boat and RV storage facility including how to determine if a site can be profitable, defining your target market, building design, site features and marketing. You can read this press release on the ISS website if you'd like more details, or visit the website at www.developingboatrvstorage.com.
The best part is it takes place on a Friday (August 15) in gorgeous San Diego, so you can attend the seminar and then enjoy a couple of days lingering lazily on the beach. Personally, I like to stay on Coronado Island. My husband and I usually get a cheap room at the Best Western but then steal some swank atmosphere by drinking expensive cocktails at the Hotel Del Coronado. For a real treat, try taking a gondola ride through the Coronado Cays at night ... the driver will serenade you, and you can even bring your own wine aboard.
So enjoy this long weekend, and give some thought to joining us in S.D. It'll be good for you and your business, too.
Have a boat/RV storage success story to share? Hit the "Leave comment" link below and bring it to the blog. Thanks!