It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No … It’s self-storage! Competition has become super fierce in our industry, so failing to maximize your operational powers would be a real crime. The 2017 Inside Storage World Expo is full of experts and resources to arm you with what you need to become your own business hero. Here are some key events and programs that will help you sharpen your senses, master your might, soup up your strengths and conquer your market nemeses.
X-Ray Vision
From the outside looking in, the industry’s largest conference and tradeshow may appear a formidable fortress. To assist new visitors in finding their way, we’ve added an all new Attendee Welcome & Orientation at 8 a.m. on April 11. Longtime expo presenters and respected industry champions Jim Chiswell and Mel Holsinger will help attendees hone their X-ray vision, providing the inside scoop on must-attend events and activities. They’ll share secrets for maximizing show time and uncovering hidden stores of knowledge.
Apprenticeship
There’s no need to head for unchartered territory … The ISS Expo brings the masters to you! You’ll train under dozens of highly qualified experts during our seven-track, 45-seminar education program. You’ll flex your muscle in the areas of building, finance, investing, management, marketing, ownership and technology. With this kind of learning power behind you, you’re sure to fly!
Transform With Technology
This year, we’ve revamped the Technology Track to be a mix of seminars and marketplace sessions. It includes standard presentations on facility automation and security strategies, as well as product insights on security equipment and management software. Each marketplace will feature brief presentations by multiple tech vendors before breaking into roundtable discussions in which attendees can ask specific questions and gather detailed information.
Circling the Globe in a Flash
This year’s International Program has also been expanded to enable greater interaction and networking for those interested in exploring options in foreign lands. The full-day program on April 12 includes six seminars covering a variety of countries. It also features an in-depth panel discussion on the worldwide industry and a series of roundtable discussions organized by region: Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, South America and the United Kingdom.
Gadgets, Gadgets, Gadgets
In addition to their superhuman skills, many heroes use special gadgets to protect their domain.
This is where our expo hall comes in! Featuring nearly 200 exhibitors and hundreds of products and services, our show floor represents all segments of the business including retail products, management software, building components, security equipment, financing, marketing services and much more.
Becoming Master of Your Universe
For those who wish to become true rulers of the self-storage universe, immersive education is available through seven deep-dive workshops, split between April 10 and April 13. Attend these sessions by purchasing them a la carte, or register for the All-Access Pass, which admits you to every available show event.
In addition to the expo’s traditional development, legal, management and owner/operator workshops, this year’s show includes specialized sessions on marketing and sales. The Marketing Workshop, 1-5 p.m. on April 10, will covers the primary pillars of online marketing including search engine optimization, paid search, social media and Web development. The Sales Skills Workshop, 1-5 p.m. on April 13, will focus on a plug-and-play sales system to help operators boost conversions, raise rates, prolong length of stay and bolster their bottom line.
Becoming a self-storage superhero doesn’t require being bitten by a radio-active spider or drinking some crazy concoction. The path to invincibility can be a learned skill from strategies handed down by industry masters. For a full overview of show education, speakers, exhibitors and networking activities, visit www.issworldexpo.com.
