Elite Stor Capital Partners LLC, an equity investor focused on the self-storage industry, has hired Rob Consalvo as president and chief technology officer. In his role, Consalvo plans to build Elite’s management platform, which includes implementing an automated revenue-management system, advanced digital marketing, inquiry and conversion tracking, and other automated accountability systems, according to a company press release.

“Bringing Consalvo on board not only adds the [information technology] expertise our company has been searching for, but the skills to drive operational efficiency as we scale and strive to further enhance the customer experience and continue to drive outsized returns to our investors,” said Benjamin Macfarland, CEO and co-founder.

Consalvo was formerly the chief operating officer for iStorage, where he managed 70 self-storage locations across 12 states. The iStorage portfolio and property-management platform were acquired last year by National Storage Affiliates Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust specializing in self-storage.

Elite is a real estate investment company focused on the acquisition of self-storage properties as well as direct-equity investments with developers and operators. Operating under the Storage Rentals of America brand, the company doubled its footprint in 2016 to nearly 3 million square feet of storage space, the release stated.

Macritchie Storage LLC, a self-storage developer based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has received approval from the Lake Zurich, Ill., Board of Trustees to build a two-story facility at 650 Church St. The building will comprise 1,062 units as well as a “display space” and office, according to the source.

As part of its decision, the board also approved an ordinance restricting outdoor storage, including a ban for facilities that front state routes 12 and 22. The Macritchie facility will include outdoor storage for vehicles but must have screening around the southern edge of the property to block its visibility from surrounding properties. Trustees also mandated that vehicles stored outdoors must be “in good repair and sightly condition,” and may not be abandoned or left indefinitely. Other stipulations on outdoor storage include a ban on merchandise or equipment, restriction to the side or rear of a property, a height limitation on stored items to equal the principal building, and screening with fencing and landscaping, according to the source.

As part of negotiations, the developer also agreed to add shrubbery along the foundation and install additional landscaping around its primary signage.

Macritchie intends to have self-storage real estate investment trust CubeSmart manage the property, the source reported.

Macritchie typically concentrates on converting abandoned or rundown buildings to self-storage. The developer is currently converting a former SuperValu supermarket in Kenosha, Wis., as well as a former liquor-control warehouse in Lansing, Mich. The projects comprise more than 200,000 square feet of storage space.

Gateway Storage Mall has purchased three self-storage facilities in Belleville, Ill. It’s the second acquisition in the state for the company, which was founded last year by Alex and Todd Erbs.

The facility at 2003 Mascoutah Ave., which serves as the main office for all three properties, comprises 18,000 square feet of storage space in 160 units. The satellite site at 33 Royal Heights Centre contains 9,000 square feet in 100 units. The third location at 101 Tower Plaza includes 6,000 square feet in 42 units as well as 50 outdoor parking spaces and a small office. Property amenities for the portfolio include LED lighting, paved driveways and security cameras.

Gateway seeks to purchase additional storage facilities in Illinois and Missouri, according to a press release. The company acquired Red Shed Moving and Storage in Dupo, Ill., in June, rebranding it under the Gateway name. The property at 715 Falling Springs Road is just off Great River Road and Interstate 255. It comprises 28,000 square feet of storage space in160 units.

Move over Pokémon … It’s time for Expómon! Get ready to hit the hottest Showstop in town: The Inside Self-Storage World Expo, April 10-13, at the Paris Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas. Now in its 26th year, this event is where you’ll capture all the best knowledge and resources in the business. There’s no need to wander the globe—you’ll find everything you need under a single roof.

Go Train

The ISS Expo is the ultimate training ground for new and veteran storage professionals. The first step in your schooling is to get the lay of the land. This year’s show features 45 seminars and seven workshops covering a full range of subjects, from development to operation, finance to marketing. It also includes more new topics and speakers than ever before.

The concurrent education program is divided into seven specialized tracks: building, finance, investing, management, marketing, ownership and technology. Presentations will address a full range of industry-relevant material, with options for everyone. Whether you’re an owner, manager or investor, green or experienced, you’ll find seminars to expand your knowledge base and enrich your skill set.

If you hail from outside the United States or are interested in exploring business opportunities in other lands, don’t miss the International Program on April 12. Open to all registered attendees, this offering includes seminars, roundtables and a panel discussion with expert representatives from storage companies across the globe.

Finally, gain deep-dive insight to essential aspects of the business through our intensive workshop experiences. Returning to the lineup this year are the Development Workshop, Legal Workshops (two options), Management Workshop and Owner/Operator Executive Workshop. We’ve brought back the Marketing Workshop with a new presenter and educational focus, and we’ve added an all new Sales-Skills Workshop, which will make facility managers experts at converting leads and generating more revenue.

Go Unite

No ISS Expo experience would be complete without networking opportunities. Joining forces with like-minded storage professionals can lead to fresh ideas, business ventures and even partnerships.

If this is your first ISS Expo, grab a seat at the new-attendee welcome and orientation, 8 a.m., on April 11. Presented by two respected industry veterans, Jim Chiswell and Mel Holsinger, this session will provide an overview of the show’s events and must-see features. Our hosts will help you map out your agenda and optimize your show experience.

After spending a full day exploring our top-notch seminar-track program, rejoin Jim and Mel at 3 p.m. for one of our most popular happenings: the Self-Storage Q&A. Get your burning questions answered or offer expertise during this interactive event. It’s also your chance to win great prizes! Immediately after, you’ll get access to the exhibit hall and mingle with nearly 200 product and service suppliers during the evening cocktail reception.

On April 12, take advantage of our Roundtable Discussions, a one-hour survey of multiple industry topics in a more interactive, intimate setting than our education seminars. Sit down with experts and get the straight scoop on issues of automation, financing, solar energy and much more.

If you’re interested in acquisitions or looking to sell a property, don’t miss the afternoon Buyers & Sellers Meeting in the expo hall. Organized by region, this event will help you connect with the right professionals to make your real estate dreams come true.

Go Win

Competition in the storage industry is fierce, and it’s going to get tougher as new sites open their doors. Operators will soon find themselves fighting for every customer dollar. Now’s the time to become battle-ready by attending the biggest and best show of the year. Capture the knowledge you need, explore new revenue streams, and team up with those who can help you succeed. To access show details and register, visit www.insideselfstorageworldexpo.com.

One of two small private planes that crashed in a midair collision over McKinney, Texas, on Saturday fell into an Uncle Bob’s Self Storage facility, catching fire. The other crashed into Custer Road. Three passengers were killed in the accident, though no one on the ground was injured. Two of the victims were identified as Gregory and Tim Barber. The third victim hasn’t been identified, according to the source.

Local police and officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spent several hours combing through the wreckage at the self-storage facility, while several tenants waited outside the property to see if their units had been damaged. "The material things can be replaced, but someone has to answer for the people,” tenant Erik Downs told the source.

Custer Road was shut down for most of the night to enable officials to investigate the second plane prior to its removal, the source reported.

Both planes had taken off from Aero Country Airport before colliding. The aircraft were flying under visual flight rules and not in contact with the control tower at the time of the collision, according to NTSB officials.

Gregory Barber was a retired Air Force pilot. His son, Tim, was home for the holidays from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., according to the source.

The incident remains under investigation.

Uncle Bob’s is the operating brand of self-storage real estate investment trust Life Storage Inc. The company has two locations in McKinney.

Beam Storage Pte. Ltd., a startup business specializing in valet self-storage, has launched service in Singapore. The company uses a mobile app and online platform that allows customers to schedule item pickup, maintain a visual catalog of stored items and bins, and schedule delivery of items to their home or business.

Similar to other valet-style storage operators, Beam offers individual item or by-the-bin storage targeted at residents who don’t have adequate home storage. Items are stored in a secure warehouse, according to the company website. Monthly pricing starts at S$0.90 per small item, such as clothing, handbags or toys, and S$5 per larger item, such as bicycles, golf bags or small furniture. Customers who don’t wish to have belongings itemized may also store private bins for S$4 or S$8 per month, depending on size.

Customers can store images of their individual items through a mobile app. When they need a particular item or bin, they can schedule home delivery for a flat fee of S$15.

Beam founders Estelle Gaillard, Jason Giambona, Jason Parke and Kash Patel believe the valet-storage model will be attractive to Singapore customers due to the decreasing size of residences, which don’t provide adequate storage space. The average three-bedroom apartment has shrunk from about 1,500 square feet to 900 to 1,100 square feet, according to the source. A large portion of the population also doesn’t own private transportation, which makes getting back and forth to a traditional self-storage facility challenging.

Beam joins Spaceship and Vault Dragon in the growing Singapore valet-storage market.

Storage Solutions, which operates four self-storage facilities in Massachusetts, has launched a scholarship contest as part of the Nashoba Valley Smart Home Show, March 11-12, at the Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center in Westford, Mass. The “Home of the Future” essay contest will award a $1,000 scholarship to a Massachusetts high-school senior or full-time college student attending an accredited two- or four-year college or university during the 2017-18 school year. The 750- to 1,000-word thesis must reflect on how technology will change homes in the next 10 years. Artistic renderings will also be accepted but aren’t mandatory to enter. Submissions will be accepted on the contest website until 11:59 p.m. EST on Feb. 28.

The winning essay will be judged on creativity, content, style and overall presentation of the applicant’s point of view, according to the contest rules. All entries will be selected by popular vote by attendees and exhibitors of the Smart Home Show or a panel of judges to be determined by the contest sponsors. Depending on the number of entries, the judging may be completed online or during the event. The winner will be required to show proof of enrollment, which can include a college-acceptance letter or transcripts, the rules stated.

Open to the public, the Smart Home Show is hosted by the Littleton Business Association and is designed to raise money for local charities, according to the source. Arenhall Corp., owner of Storage Solutions, is a member of the association.

Founded in 1988, Storage Solutions operates facilities in Chelmsford, Leominster, Littleton and Maynard, Mass. The company is family-owned and -operated.

Spacemaker Self Storage received a variance last week from the zoning-appeals board to expand its facility in Goshen, Ind. Owners Carl and Wayne Schrock plan to demolish a house on the property at 2733 Peddlers Village Road and construct four new storage buildings, according to the source. The parcel currently holds two.

Members of the Goshen Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved the zoning variance on Dec. 27, allowing the property’s frontage to be reduced from the required 320 feet to 238, the source reported. The city planning staff recommended to support the request.

The development will help improve drainage at the site where a low-level area typically collects water, according to Debra Hughes, a project civil engineer for Marbach, Brady & Weaver Inc., a surveying and engineering firm. The improvement won’t affect existing drainage infrastructure at Brookside Manor, a mobile-home park across the street from the storage facility, she added.

Spacemaker operates a second site in Goshen as well as one in North Webster, Ind.

 

Devon Self Storage, a California-based operator that owns or manages 45 facilities nationwide, has promoted Jim Mooney Jr. and Mike Vinciguerra to the position of vice president of operations, albeit from different roles within the company. Mooney was promoted from director of operations, while Vinciguerra was promoted from regional vice president for the Northeast, according to a press release.

Mooney, who has been with Devon for 15 years, has held several positions within the company including property and regional manager. In his most recent role, he was instrumental in the implementation and growth of the storage operator’s online presence, software administration and acquisitions. He also worked with industry vendors and was a speaker for their webinars and conferences. In his new position, Mooney will continue these endeavors. He’ll also contribute articles to industry publications and speak at national and state association conferences.

Vinciguerra joined Devon in 2006 and has also held several positions within the company. He currently oversees operation for all facilities, which includes budgeting; hiring and overseeing five regional managers and a training director; working with the company’s accounting, legal, asset management and human-resources departments; and collaborating with the company’s capital partners. Prior to joining the company, Vinciguerra was a regional director for Shurgard Self Storage.

Devon has maintained a dedicated self-storage operating platform since 1993. Since then, the company has been involved with the acquisition, development, disposition and management of approximately $1 billion in self-storage assets.