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NAREIT to Host Annual Convention

Article-NAREIT to Host Annual Convention

The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) will host its annual convention during Nov. 8-10 at the San Francisco Marriott. The conference brings together real estate executives, investors, financiers and professionals from across the globe to discuss the state of the industry as well as issues related to policies and continued growth.

This year's program includes a who's who of key industry authorities. On Friday morning, Ken Duberstein, former chief of staff for President Reagan, and Mack McLarty, former chief of staff for President Clinton, will provide a post Election Day wrapup and its implications on the real estate market.

NAREIT is the representative voice for U.S. REITs and public traded real estate companies worldwide. Members are businesses that own, operate and finance income-producting real estate, as well as those firms and individuals who advise, study and serve those businesses.

For program information and to register, visit www.nareit.com.

ISS Blog

Two wrongs ...

Article-Two wrongs ...

... don't make a right, right? Self-storage has played the underdog in the saga of eminent domain, but I recently read an article regarding a storage developer who's trying to bully a nursery out of its real estate. The property owner, Southern California Edison, wants Persson's Nursery of Pasadena, Calif., to relocate to a site across the street so it can re-lease the land for self-storage; but the cost of the move would be the death blow to this already struggling business.


Apparently, this fight has been going on almost three years, but recent developments have brought the issue to a head. First, the city has told the nursery it can't keep the business license it's held for 35 years. It must apply for a new one, which requires it to catch up to newer city codes regarding fences, irrigation systems, parking, etc. Second, the site developer offered the Perssons money for the move, but would not disclose the amount. The nursery owners estimate they need $250,000. In the end, they agreed to relinquish the property at the end of the year and close their doors. They're already liquidating their assets.


The city claims it was willing to pay for the moveit just couldn't offer the Perssons anything in writing until the deal was aproved and the money backed by the majority of the city council. And how long are the Perssons supposed to wait for that, I wonder? In the meantime, a group of 65 local residents have formed the Pasadena Open Space Preservation to oppose the storage facility and save the nursery. Talk about complicated.


In all fairness, Edison owns the land and can do what it wants with it. But if the company's going to lease parcels, it needs to understand the consequences of moving businesses around like pieces on a checkerboard: Somebody wins, somebody loses. Seems like there are too many small operations losing these days. Generally, it's the storage company on that end of the equation. It's interesting to see the tide turned here, yet I still can't justify it. What do YOU think?

 

Florida Storage Operators and FSSA Discuss Insurance Issues

Article-Florida Storage Operators and FSSA Discuss Insurance Issues

Last Thursday, approximately 50 facility operators attended a meeting hosted by the Florida Self Storage Association to discuss changes in the local property-insurance market and related financial challenges. According to The Tampa Tribune, storage owners report rising commercial insurance rates as a significant problem they face in addition to not being able to find insurance after having policies cancelled. Some say they are signing on for exceptionally high deductibles just to get or keep coverage.

Meeting attendees left with fewif anysolutions. Property insurance will continue to be elusive, and customers will see further rate increases for as long as several years, according to State Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, chairman of the House Insurance Committee. State regulators and insurance-rating agencies are requiring insurers to front more capital to deal with the risk of hurricanes. Meanwhile, re-insurers, also at risk, have hiked their rates. Those costs are being passed on to customers, Ross said.

Gene Bonina, one of the panelists at Thursday's meeting and an insurance broker, said insurers have written off entire Florida ZIP codes and counties.

PhoneSmart's Jordheim Admitted to Speakers Association

Article-PhoneSmart's Jordheim Admitted to Speakers Association

Tron Jordheim, director of PhoneSmart, has been admitted to the National Speakers Association (NSA), an organization of more than 4,100 professional speakers across 23 countries. Jordheim talks on topics such as sales, customer service, marketing and staff management. To become part of NSA, he had to provide documentation of his professional speaking experience and agree to a strict code of ethics.

NSA speakers are experts in a variety of industries and disciplines who reach audiences as trainers, educators, humorists, motivators, consultants, authors and more. Since 1973, the group has provided resources designed to advance the skills, integrity and value of its members and the speaking profession. For info, visit www.nsaspeaker.org.

PhoneSmart is an off-site sales force that offers sales support to businesses through its call center, sales training and total quality assurance services. For details, visit www.phone-smart.info.

Jordheim is a regular speaker at Inside Self-Storage Expos. He will present a seminar titled "Inside the Renter's Mind" at the upcoming ISS Vegas Expo, Feb. 20-23, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. For more information and to register, visit www.insideselfstorage.com/expo.

U.S. Door Builds 'Houses' for OpenTech Kiosks

Article-U.S. Door Builds 'Houses' for OpenTech Kiosks

U.S. Door & Building Components has created a standalone, outdoor enclosure to house self-storage kiosks produced by OpenTech Alliance Inc. The all-metal structure is made from hot-dipped galvanized steel and can be ordered to fit the INSOMNIAC 500 and 900 models. It has a footprint of approximately 5 by 5 feet, comes fully assembled, and includes an awning to protect customers from the elements as well as a roll-up door in the rear for easy service access. The kiosk is installed through the front wall. Pricing for the enclosure, without the kiosk, starts at $2500.
 
U.S. Door is an international supplier of self-storage roll-up doors, interior hallway systems, stackable storage, wine lockers, mezzanine systems, portable-storage buildings and structural pier-header systems. It also provides site engineering, design, conversion, bid take-off and professional installation. For information, call 877.877.8875; visit www.usdoor.com.
 
For information about OpenTech and its INSOMNIAC kiosks, call 602.749.9370; visit www.opentechalliance.com.

Football Celebrity Switzer to Present at ISS Vegas Expo

Article-Football Celebrity Switzer to Present at ISS Vegas Expo

Renowned ex-football coach Barry Switzer will deliver the keynote address for the upcoming Inside Self-Storage Las Vegas Expo, the industrys largest trade event of the year. The show will be held at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Feb. 20-23. Switzers presentation, sponsored by Switzers Locker Room and ISS magazine, will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 9 to 10:15 a.m.
 
Switzer was the head coach for collegiate and professional football teams, the Oklahoma University Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys. He has one of the highest winning percentages of any college coach in history, and is one of only two head coaches to win both a national collegiate championship and a Super Bowl. Since his football career, Switzer authored a best-selling autobiography, Bootleggers Boy, written with Bud Shrake with a forward by Joe Paterno. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and received the Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. In 2003, he founded Switzers Locker Room, a chain of Midwest self-storage facilities.
 
The ISS Vegas Expo is sponsored by ISS magazine, a monthly publication dedicated to the needs of industry owners, operators, managers, investors, developers and suppliers. The company has provided self-storage education and information for more than 16 years. For details and to view an online edition, visit www.insideselfstorage.com.
 
For show information and to register, visit www.insideselfstorage.com/expo.

ISS Blog

Reading really IS FUNdamental!

Article-Reading really IS FUNdamental!

You remember this public-service slogan from many years ago? Heck, I don't knowmaybe they're still using it. It came to mind while I was dreaming up a catchy way to promote the latest addition to our list of free resources: the new ISS E-Book Series.


This month, to complement the print edition of Inside Self-Storage magazine, we have made available for download an e-book titled "Explore Your Ancillary Options." It focuses on things storage operators and managers can do to boost their bottom line in a competitive environment, from retails sales to boat/RV storage to post and parcel. It's free, so it certainly can't hurt to take a looksee.


Our aim is to provide a new book at least every other month. In November, for example, you'll have access to "Show Me the Funding! Self-Storage Financing." The great thing about these puppies is you can enjoy them anytime, anywhereall you need is a computer with a web connection and a valid e-mail address (the books are e-mailed to you in PDF format).


Check the ISS website regularly to see what new offerings await. For webinars, visit www.insideselfstorage.com/webinars. For e-books, visit www.insideselfstorage.com/ebooks. Enjoy!

 

SMARTBOX Expands Franchise to Baltimore

Article-SMARTBOX Expands Franchise to Baltimore

SMARTBOX, a provider of portable storage for commercial and residential use, is expanding its franchise to the Baltimore market. The new franchise owners, Charley MacKenzie and Matthew Bowry of MackKenzie Equity Partners LLC, expect the venture to be operational by mid-November. They are both seasoned real estate professionals.
 
The demand for affordable and convenient portable self storage is greater than ever, said Michael Lowe, company president and CEO. Residential and commercial customers in Baltimore will find that SMARTBOX can simplify the storage or moving process.
 
SMARTBOX containers are 8 feet long, 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide. They can hold the contents of up to one and a half rooms and are delivered directly to customers doors. Users pack and load the boxes at their convenience. When theyre done, they call the company to pick up the boxes and deliver them to one of its warehouses or another location.
 
Based in Richmond, Va., SMARTBOX has franchises in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and Virginia. For more information, visit www.smartboxusa.com.

SIMI Holds Manager Conference and Awards Banquet

Article-SIMI Holds Manager Conference and Awards Banquet

Storage Investment Management Inc. (SIMI) recently conducted its Managers Conference and Recognition Awards Banquet in Sturbridge, Mass. Every year, the companys managers gather to celebrate their achievements and discuss essential operational topics, such as effective sales techniques, tenant bankruptcy and death, marketing, etc. This year, the following honors were awarded:

  • Manager of the Year: Michele Sealy, Planet Self Storage, Hyde Park, Mass.
  • Most Improved Manager: Peter Seddon Jr., Planet Self Storage, Boston
  • No. 1 Power Rating: Joe Francis, Mt. Kisco (N.Y.) Self Storage

SIMI has been a self-storage owner, operator, manager, consultant and developer since 1988. For details, contact Charlie Fritts, chief operating officer, at [email protected].

The SIMI management team.

 

Michele Sealy, Manager of the Year

 

Peter Seddon Jr., Most Improved Manager

 

Joe Francis, SIMI No. 1 Power Rating

ISS Blog

Construction Webinar Added!

Article-Construction Webinar Added!

It's official: We've added a construction topic to the ISS Editorial Webinar Series. The free event, presented and sponsored by Trachte Building Systems, will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 24th, at 11:30 a.m. ET.


Since the spring, Inside Self-Storage has been hosting a monthly webinar series titled "Legal Learning With Jeffrey Greenberger." This free resource is open to everyone, and focuses on a unique self-storage legal issue each month. The series has been so successful, we decided to create a new webinar offering that would coincide with the monthly editorial focus of the magazine. Not long ago, for example, we hosted a live session on self-storage security; it complemented our June issue.


Riding the recent wave of our Annual Construction Edition, we're proud to announce "Self-Storage Construction: Using Site Layout to Maximize Project Potential." This webinar will be presented by Trachte sales manager Jamie Lindau, who has written for ISS magazine as well as presented seminars and rountable discussions at many ISS expos. Jamie has been building and consulting for this business for more than 20 years, and he knows what he's talking about. I strongly urge you to attend his online session on the 24th.


What does it cover? Basics and alternative methods in self-storage site design. Jamie will cover things like multistory building, climate control, drive-up access and more. His intent is to teach you how to maximize your land use and project features. In fact, I may see if I can get Jamie to submit a guest blog entry sometime in the next couple of weeks and give you a teaser for his full-length presentation.


For info and to register for the event, click HERE or visit our webinar page at www.insideselfstorage.com/webinars.

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