Self-storage has recently emerged as a darling of the real estate sector. Not only has the industry attracted new investors, the attention has helped to elevate its status to that of retail powerhouse. Now, everyone expects more of storage facilities, from the investors who fund them to the owners who oversee them to the tenants who use them to store their goods.
How do you meet and even exceed those expectations to become the “top dog” in your market? One word: knowledge.
Fortunately, the 2015 Inside Self-Storage World Expo, April 7-9, at the Paris Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas, will provide resources and tools professionals need to gain a competitive edge. Whether you’re new to the industry or a veteran … an investor, owner or manager … you’ll learn fresh stuff to immediately improve your business. Our education program is designed to enhance your skills, provide a fresh perspective, and help you connect with peers and experts.
Learning to Invest
If you intend to buy or otherwise invest in a self-storage property, you’ll find specific guidance about getting into the business and making smart financial decisions in the Investment & Finance Track on April 7. These six sessions will address everything from lending options to creative investment strategies to some of the best-kept finance secrets for today's entrepreneurs. They’ll also cover market feasibility and provide tips for buying and selling.
The Development & Construction Track, also on April 7, will delve deep into the building process. First, you’ll learn about factors that affect your decision to launch a new project. From there, our presenters will address hot-button issues including site selection, building codes and facility design. They’ll even teach ways to overcome common development obstacles and share mistakes to avoid during the design and construction phase.
For those who want to participate in a more intensive discussion of facility development, the ISS Expo is pleased to once again offer its popular Development Workshop on April 6. This add-on event will cover new construction, conversion projects, and facility renovations and expansions. Like all of the show’s workshop offerings, it can be purchased a la carte or chosen as part of the Premium Package.
Learning to Own
Depending on your involvement and the strength of your facility managers, self-storage ownership is either blissfully simple or painfully complex. In either case, there are critical elements that must be addressed if the business is to succeed, from curb appeal to staffing to money management and more. To take your business to the next level, you need ideas and inspiration, which is precisely what you’ll find in the Ownership Track on April 7 and the Staffing Track on April 8.
First-time owners will get direction to help them survive their first year in the business, including tips for setting realistic goals and measuring success. Other sessions address topics including operational mistakes (and how to avoid them), ways to compete with larger operators, property taxes and expenses, manager recruitment and hiring, and employment laws.
There’s a workshop specially designed for owners and regional managers as well. On April 9, the Owner/Operator Executive Workshop will provide top-level information on industry best practices, including policies and procedures for hiring, auditing and asset management. You’ll learn proven systems, techniques and concepts that will help your business move beyond survival into prosperity.
Learning to Manage
Self-storage managers are the backbone of every great facility. That’s why it’s crucial they keep up-to-date on the best ways to operate a property. Whether you’ve been on the job for six months or 16 years, the ISS Expo will assist in your professional development. For you, there’s the Management and Marketing Tracks on April 7 and the Sales Track on April 8. Hot topics include communication challenges, customer service, lien sales, career goals, closing techniques, social media, rental agreements and much more.
You can also choose from four workshops that pertain directly to the tasks you manage on a day-to-day basis: Legal Learning Live, the Management Workshop, a new Pricing Workshop and a special workshop titled, “Am I Breaking the Law?” The Management Workshop is designed to help those new to the industry master the fundamentals of running a storage business.
Education for All
Being the “next hot thing” is wonderful, but it comes with higher expectations. Get the knowledge you need to elevate your business and secure your spot as a top dog in your market. With 10 education tracks and six workshops from which to choose, everyone who attends the ISS Expo will walk away with information they can use to get ahead. To access education details and register, visit www.insideselfstorageworldexpo.com.
