Self-storage operators do everything they can to ensure their customers’ belongings are protected from the elements. From inspecting and repairing their roofs to replacing them when necessary, the goal is always loss prevention. But even under the greatest diligence, leaks can develop, which can wreak havoc on whatever’s inside the units below and cause a host of problems.

In a recent thread on Self-Storage Talk, the industry’s largest online community, a member has shared a story about a faulty roof and her attempt to make amends with the tenant whose goods were damaged. Others have chimed in with their own accounts. Have you ever dealt with a leak? Get and share advice for this common maintenance problem.

There. In the distance, shimmering like a dream. Can it be? A taste of Polynesian paradise right in the middle of all the Las Vegas hubbub? Yes! It’s The Mirage Hotel & Casino, and the Inside Self-Storage World Expo is delighted to call this wondrous venue its new home.

After many years of being hosted at The Paris, the industry’s largest convention and tradeshow is going tropical in 2019, setting up shop at the well-known Mirage luxury casino and conference center. This gorgeous locale will enable our growing event to enjoy more space for education, exhibits and networking. It also comes with many attendee amenities and perks. Join us April 1-4 and partake in the many pleasures this island-themed retreat has to offer. Whether you’re looking for excitement or serenity, you’ll find it at this exceptional oasis.

Awash in Beauty

While the ocean may be miles away, The Mirage lets us soak up some seaside ambiance. The hotel offers all the conveniences you’d expect from a Las Vegas destination wrapped up in a tranquil atmosphere. You’ll be greeted at the entrance by cascading waterfalls and fountains that pool around the front of the property. The scene is topped off by the hotel’s iconic volcano replica, which erupts nightly.

Once you’re inside, the lobby makes an impressive splash with a 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium showcasing nearly 1,000 marine animals, including eels, puffer fish, sharks and stingrays. The atrium contains an indoor rainforest, complete with sky-high palm trees, under a 100-foot glass dome. Meander along the verdant-lined paths for spectacular views of yet another magnificent waterfall, tranquil lagoons and exotic plants, including more than 300 orchids and 1,000 bromeliads.

The hotel’s 3,000-plus rooms come in a variety of sizes and price points. The modern décor combines luxury and comfort to create a relaxing haven. Guests enjoy amenities such as 42-inch flat-screen TVs, in-room Wi-Fi, mini bars and complimentary toiletries.

A Wave of Entertainment

The Mirage isn’t just ripe with visual inspiration, it’s also rich with entertainment! The venue hosts dozens of high-demand acts including Boyz II Men, Cher, Matt Goss, Postmodern Jukebox and lots of others. Here’s a sample of the many activities and shows you can enjoy during your stay:

• The Aces of Comedy: Bringing in the biggest names in the business, this award-winning series provides an ongoing menu of laughs. Participants include Gabriel Igelsias, Anthony Jeselnik, Bill Maher, Ray Romano, David Spade, Daniel Tosh, Ron White and others.
• The Beatles LOVE: Cirque du Soleil reimagines the Fab Four’s music with a circus-inspired stage performance.
• The Volcano: Just outside the main entrance, facing Vegas Boulevard, this display erupts daily at 8, 9 and 10 p.m. It’s accompanied by a soundtrack from The Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart and Indian tabla sensation Zakir Hussain.
• Terry Fator’s The VOICE of Entertainment: The renowned ventriloquist and “America’s Got Talent” winner combines celebrity impressions, comedy, singing and a cast of characters into one hilarious act.
• Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat: Enjoy up-close views of a variety of animals including dolphins, white tigers, lions, leopards, and more.
• Casino: From POP! Slots and mobile sports wagering to popular staples including poker and table games, The Mirage has all your favorites.
• Pools: Two saltwater pools, one heated year-round, and two spas are surrounded by lovely waterfalls. There’s even the secluded Bare Pool Lounge for adults only.
• Extras: These include The Spa and Salon, a barber shop, a fitness center, golf, cabanas, and plenty of places to shop.

Tastes Like Heaven

The Mirage doesn’t just offer a feast for the eyes; your taste buds will be ecstatic, too! From upscale dining to quick bites, the hotel offers more than a dozen restaurants.

If you’re looking for a juicy filet mignon or fresh seafood, make a reservation at Chef Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak. The open kitchen will tantalize your senses with the sight and smell of food being cooked over open charcoal grills.

If Italian cuisine is more to your liking, stop into Osteria Costa to enjoy handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza and fresh seafood. The bright colors and décor will transport you to the Amalfi Coast while you sip on fresh limoncello.

The Mirage also has several places for those on the go. Grab a craft beer and burger at The Still, which features 27 flat-screen TVs, or stop into Pantry just off the casino floor and enjoy homemade soups and salads, sandwiches, and a variety of desserts. The eatery is open 24 hours.

A bevy of bars and nightclubs provide ample opportunity to enjoy a signature drink, a glass of wine or a cold brew. In addition to lounges in several restaurants, there’s Rhumbar, with its Caribbean-style patio, fabulous views of the Las Vegas Strip, dozens of top-shelf rums and a live DJ. Or drink up handcrafted cocktails created by mixologist Liz Pearce at Center Bar. Those seeking a club atmosphere will find it at 1 Oak, which mimics the New York nightlife with live music acts and avant-garde artwork and design.

Considered one of Las Vegas’ first “mega resorts,” The Mirage offers bountiful entertainment served up with a healthy dose of relaxation. With its tranquil waters, verdant gardens and serene vibes, you might even forget—for a moment—that you’re attending a self-storage conference! Visit issworldexpo.com for event details. Exclusive discounted room rates are available for guests of the ISS World Expo.

Registration is now open for the 2019 Inside Self-Storage World Expo, the industry’s largest conference and tradeshow. The event will take place April 1-4 at The Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Created for self-storage owners, managers, investors, developers and suppliers, the annual expo comprises four days of education, exhibits and networking opportunities.

Early-bird rates, which provide a discount of more than 25 percent on the show’s three registration packages, are available until Jan. 29. Discounted room rates are available through The Mirage and subject to availability. Attendees are encouraged to make reservations early.

The 2019 event will include six education tracks, eight workshops, several networking events, and two days of product and service exhibits. The seminar program includes 42 sessions covering industry construction, development, finance, investing, management, marketing, ownership, risk management, sales, staffing and more. There will also be a full-day International Program focusing on self-storage across the globe, which includes several sessions in Spanish.

To enhance the seminar-track program and give attendees more time with presenters, “Overtime With the Experts” has been added to the show’s list of education offerings. Speakers and their followers can now retire to a designated room upon the completion of each session to ask/answer questions and keep the conversation going.

Attendees can choose from several immersive workshops, including two focused on facility development and construction. The 8 am. Development Workshop on April 1 will cover the planning phase, while the 1 p.m. event will focus on the ins and outs of building. Updates have been made to several show favorites, including the Digital Marketing, Management Mastery and Ownership Excellence Workshops. Both legal workshops (advanced and Legal Learning Live) will return, while a new Staffing Success Workshop will make its program debut. Participants can purchase these options individually or via the All-Access Pass.

Expo networking opportunities, which are open to all attendees, have also been improved for 2019. The traditional Self-Storage Q&A has been expanded to three topic-focused events hosted by hand-picked experts with proficiency in these category verticals: Investing & Development, Management & Marketing and Technology & Innovation. The Legal Q&A With Jeffrey Greenberger will return in its own dedicated timeslot. Roundtable discussions have been increased and rebranded as Table Talks, and the evening cocktail reception will be held as a standalone event right after expo-hall hours on April 2. The Buyers & Sellers Meeting will return in its traditional format on the expo floor, which now includes an attendee lounge and Association Row. Other events include a facility tour, live product demos (new) and vendor presentations.

With the move to The Mirage, the exhibit hall was enlarged and will feature more exhibits than ever before. The floor will be open 3 to 7 p.m. on April 2 and 1 to 5 p.m. on April 3.

For nearly 28 years, ISS has provided informational resources for the self-storage industry. Its educational offerings include ISS magazine, the annual ISS World Expo, an extensive website, the ISS Store, and Self-Storage Talk, the industry’s largest online community.

Update 12/10/18 – In a reversal of its earlier stance, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners has approved CRDP’s zoning request. The move back to a conditional B-2 district paves the way for the developer to build a self-storage facility instead of its originally planned apartment complex.

Though the zoning application listed 10 potential uses for the site, CRDP has been clear about its intent to build self-storage. An April 2017 decision denied a rezoning request to allow a storage facility, as commissioners, including new chair Jonathan Barfield, argued self-storage is inconsistent with the purpose and intent of community mixed-use areas outlined in the county’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan, according to the source.

In a 3-2 vote to approve the rezoning, Barfield’s change of heart made the difference. “The last time we heard this I was in opposition to it, and my big concern was the aesthetic appeal,” he said during the meeting. “And coming back with a modification, making this look like a retail establishment vs. your traditional storage units, has given me a different take on this.”

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9/12/18 – Real estate developer College Road Development Partners (CRDP) intends to build a self-storage facility on an 8-acre lot in Wilmington, N.C. The company originally planned to develop an 88-unit apartment complex in the 2600 block of N. College Road but asked to revoke its previous rezoning request, citing the rising cost of building materials and expected changes in the local flood zone, according to the source.

The New Hanover County, N.C., Board of Commissioners was expected to begin discussing the change during scheduled meetings last week. The developer owns the property, which is near Laney High School. A market study identified self-storage as a potential alternative use. “The market study indicated that a quality temperature-controlled self-storage [facility] would be well-suited for the property,” the company wrote in its change request.

The county granted a special-use permit and the rezoning for the apartments two years ago. The revocation would revert the zoning back to a B-2 and R-15 conditional-zoning district, on which self-storage could be developed, the source reported.

CRDP originally pitched a mixed-use building with residential and commercial space in 2012 but changed those plans to just the apartment complex in 2016. The company tried to rezone the site to a B-2 conditional-zoning district last year. Though the request was recommended for approval by the planning board, commissioners rejected the proposal.

In its latest request, the company indicated the apartment project wasn’t economically feasible.

Source:
Port City Daily, County Commissioners Approve Mini-Storage Warehouse on North College, After Voting Against It in the Past
WilmingtonBiz, Self-Storage Facility Planned Instead of Apartments on North College Road

Compass Self Storage, a member of the Amsdell family of companies, has acquired Stor-All in Acworth, Ga. The company now operates 16 locations in Greater Atlanta and 85 nationwide. The purchase was made by separate affiliates of Amsdell Group LLC and Compass Self Storage LLC. The facility will be branded under the Compass name, according to a press release.

The property at 5745 Bells Ferry Road comprises 50,700 net rentable square feet in climate-controlled and drive-up units as well as vehicle-storage spaces. Compass plans to upgrade the facility with new paving and security measures. It’ll also offer moving and packing supplies, and truck rentals.

“The acquisition of our second storage center in Acworth strengthens our efficiencies in terms of market coverage in this undersupplied segment of Atlanta. We are pleased to further expand our footprint in the Greater Atlanta area, and offer our new customers top-notch product and customer service to ease their moving and storing experience,” said Todd Amsdell, president.

Amsdell was represented in the real estate transaction by J.L. "Chip" Mack III of McWhirter Realty Partners LLC, a commercial real estate firm.

Headquartered in Cleveland, the Amsdell Cos. draws its roots from the family-owned construction company founded in 1928. Since its inception, the company has been active in several billions of dollars of real estate ventures, with a primary focus on self-storage. It has owned and operated more than 500 storage centers under various trade names in more than 27 states. It currently owns and operates properties in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.

 

Real estate developer and owner Ziff Properties Inc. has acquired A Dent in the Attic Self Storage in Tallahassee, Fla. The property at 2420 Monticello Drive will be managed by self-storage real estate investment trust CubeSmart and branded under its name.

The facility comprises 51,000 rentable square feet of climate-controlled and drive-up storage. Ziff plans to add 4,500 square feet of climate-controlled units to the 2.6-acre site, according to a press release.

“We are extremely proud to join the Tallahassee community. Much of our recent company expansion has taken place in strong college markets,” said Christian Chamblee, chief operating officer and director of acquisitions for Ziff.

Ziff recently purchased the former Golden Burley Tobacco Warehouse in downtown Lexington, Ky., which it intends to convert to self-storage. The 3.5-acre property is just over a mile from the University of Kentucky. Once the renovation is complete, the facility will comprise 103,500 square feet of storage space.

Based in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Ziff specializes in the acquisition, development and management of commercial properties in the Southeast. Founded in 1992 by Stephen Ziff, the company owns a portfolio including 3 million square feet of self-storage, shopping centers and office buildings.

This year’s Federation of European Self Storage Associations (FEDESSA) Conference in Paris was a record-breaker. More than 600 people from all over the world converged on the Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center to attend a host of presentations, enjoy breakfast with the stars, visit the tradeshow, and network into the early hours of the morning.

I recently spoke with Paul Whittaker, director of SureStore and ambassador of the Young Leaders Group for the Self Storage Association of the United Kingdom, to gain his perspective on the event. SureStore launched earlier this year and has since secured eight sites in the Midlands and Northwest England. Three have opened in Bolton, Cannock and Northwich, with another three scheduled to open within the next few months.

This is the third time you’ve attended the FEDESSA Conference. Why is it important for you to be here?

Having been in the industry for a number of years, I’ve seen a lot of changes, and the rate of change is now growing exponentially. Demand for self-storage in the United Kingdom has skyrocketed, and customer expectations have become more and more demanding. There’s always something new to see, and being here provides me with a unique opportunity to interact and exchange best practice with industry experts.

Equally important, though, is that I have the opportunity to find the time—all too often in short supply in our day jobs—to meet up with suppliers, other operators and, most of all, friends. Having started my storage career in a store role, I wouldn’t have survived this long in this industry without the support of such a phenomenal community of people, and it’s great to see how others have grown as the European market has taken off.

Why do you think this year’s FEDESSA Conference was particularly popular?

The brilliant thing about this industry is we are all here to learn from one another. The guest speakers have been exceptional and all the hype around them before we came over is totally justified. I couldn’t commit to attending them all, but I thought Bill Hobin, CEO of StorQuest, was exceptional. The other keynote, Lord Mark Price (former U.K. Minister of State for Trade and Investment and former managing director of Waitrose) gave a really lively insight into the current political situation and how that is likely to impact our industry.

I also particularly appreciated the fact that we had more international visitors to the conference than ever before. I believe over 50 countries were represented, sharing through networking their experiences of some more developed and startup markets.

What are your key takeaways from this year’s conference?

Self-storage is still a niche part of the property market in Britain, despite funders having a much clearer understanding of its performance as an asset class. I was surprised to discover that despite solid growth in the industry, recent research from JLL shows that only 10 percent are fourth-generation facilities.

Having recognized this at the beginning of our company journey, we’ve ensured that all our new freehold facilities, ranging from new brown-field developments to retail conversions, are fourth generation. Each one has electric-car charging points for convenience and solar paneling to keep operating costs and, therefore, customer rents as low as possible. We’ve also developed our own sophisticated quick-quote and online-booking system, which is proving incredibly popular.

Although the maxim “location, location, location” still drives the best-performing facilities, the technology hot potato was very much in the spotlight at this year’s conference, with Janus International’s SecurGuard security lock and app taking center stage. Presented with the Innovation Award at this year’s gala dinner, it certainly got everyone talking. I’ve never been a fan of technology for technology’s sake, but anything that saves time, hassle and frustration and adds to the overall customer experience and satisfaction, like this, can only be a good thing.

The conference has reiterated that a deep understanding of customer engagement and customer service is absolutely key for us as front-facing retail operators. Nick Meinertzhagen of Experiential Consulting shared his thoughts on the need for us all to evolve a culture where we cannot just communicate to but engage and share positive and memorable experiences with our customers. He also reminded us that any customer-centric organization is nothing without a team of people who drive the business forward with an authentic, shared vision.

It was really interesting to hear from Christel Land about the importance of a real and sustainable emotional connection in marketing activity. She highlighted that consistent, emotional marketing focus for three years or more is proven to be up to 10 times more effective, while, in the short term, emotional campaigns are twice as effective as rational ones. It’s obvious when you think about it, and this is very much the direction we’re taking.

I’m personally excited to be at the forefront of the industry, working with colleagues to create a Generation 5 blueprint, and cannot wait for next year’s FEDESSA conference, when 800 delegates are predicted to descend upon the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London. We will be there!

Julie Whyman of U.K. public-relations consultancy Progeny PR has been in the communication industry for 30 years. She’s worked with organizations as diverse as British Aerospace Airbus, Grosvenor Estates and Liverpool Football Club. She’s currently working with the Self Storage Association of the United Kingdom, and is the final year studying for a Ph.D. at the University of York. For more information, e-mail [email protected]; visit www.progenypr.co.uk.

During a recent monthly review with one of my self-storage facility managers, the conversation drifted toward the topic of pay and his opportunity for advancement. Since he was “low man on the totem pole,” his concerns were valid and timely. Over the next hour, the discussion revolved around two primary topics. The first was how to be a value creator, and the second was how job titles are labels that inhibit growth and creativity. Both concepts are applicable to pretty much any position. If you fully understand them, not only will you advance your career, you’ll find fulfillment in your work life.

If your professional goal is to get ahead, you’ll never get there by being mediocre. The only way to gain footing is to create more value for your employer than your role requires.

The typical storage manager has several basic responsibilities: answering phones, giving facility tours, collecting rent, serving customers, maintaining the property, etc. (The key word here is “typical.” The term “manager” could be replaced with the role you hold, whether that’s district manager, associate or whatever your position may be.) While the typical manager might do a good job, does he create more value than the role requires? Generally, no.

At the end of the day, your career is a concept of your mind and its development is yours to own. Unless you have a great mentor, supervisor or role model, chances are you’re going to have to put on your grown-up pants and take control.

Create Value

Everyone within a company has a certain role. Most self-storage managers look at the roles and guides others have placed upon them and accept them as hard, unchanging truths. If you think that way, you’re running on an old operating system, which can hold you back. If you want to get ahead, it’s time to upgrade your thinking. Why can’t you rewrite the definition of what a facility manager does?

If your corporate policy manual states that a facility manager does A, B and C, that’s fine. You go and do A, B and C, as well as E, F and G. By doing so, you’ll add company value in three ways:

• You’re making new things happen.
• You’re creating value within yourself, setting yourself apart from what’s “typical.”
• You’ve begun down a path on which many start but few stay the course. You’re doing something more with your station in life.

People frequently live on autopilot because it’s comfortable and easy. If you stick to moving beyond the status quo, it’ll positively impact your professional and personal life. You’ll want to become better, and you’ll rewrite the roles life has written for you.

Start small. On average, companies today provide employees with 32 learning hours per year. Where does your company stack up? If you’re with a small company, what can you do to help provide 15 hours per year? This is how you create value and forge a path to advancement—not because you have to but because you want to. Ask the person above you about his biggest professional problem or struggle. Then, do what you can to make that go away. I’ve never met a boss or employer who devalued problem-solvers.

Stop Labeling Yourself

Don’t let your job title define and cage you. In my career, I’ve met many people who were above me in professional hierarchy, and yet I believed I and other junior associates were more qualified to do their job. As such, I’ve grown to view titles as labels that limit growth and creativity.

During the review with my facility manager, his main concern was he was somehow unable to initiate or try new things because of his junior status. That label was affecting his personal growth. There’s little difference from if he had been labeled fat or anorexic, liberal or conservative. Labels are for files not people.

This is a life lesson it took me years to learn. Achieving a certain label was important to me. My ambition turned negative and self-serving. Rather than look out for the interest of others, I was only in it for myself. My great grandfather used to say, “You meet the same people going up the ladder as you do coming down.” I eventually learned that little is gained by seeking titles. Instead, much is gained in seeking relationships and serving others with no expectation of reward.

If my manager chooses to add value to the company and help others, greater compensation and advancement is a natural next step. Whether he’s a junior or senior manager makes no difference.

Keep Striving

As our conversation unfolded, I asked my manager what prevented him from pursuing some of the things he wanted to do and embracing his development. He said: “I did say something one time, but someone didn’t like the idea.” This was a great learning moment. For whatever reason, he made the conscious decision to allow that incident to change the way he voiced his opinion.

I showed him how that decision had a lasting effect on the course of his career. Because he took that moment as someone not valuing and listening to his opinion, he applied that viewpoint to other aspects of his job. Within a company culture that values innovation and people taking charge of projects, a mindset like his can have extremely negative results.

In the ideal work world, every employee would have an amazing, customized development plan to help in personal and professional improvements. Everyone would say things in the most constructive, edifying manner. Life would be nothing but rainbows and puppy dogs.

However, we know the truth. If you want good career development, much of the legwork needs to be done by you. Talk to your supervisor and let him know you’re interested in growing your skillset. Do more than what your job description requires. Expand the learning in your field to other areas. If you try new things, you’ll find value in yourself as well as your job. When value is found, it’ll be returned to you. Keep trying.

As a self-storage professional, Rick Beal’s goal is to help a historically slow-changing industry embrace new, innovative ideas. His professional motto is, “Storage is a business of inches not miles.” Connect with him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/storagerick or [email protected].

Columbia Storage Group (CSG), which operates 17 self-storage facilities in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, has acquired four facilities in New York’s Rondout Valley. Together, the properties comprise 64,000 square feet in more than 550 units. The purchase includes Rondout Valley Self Storage and Valley Self Storage in Accord, N.Y., and two Ellenville Mini Storage properties in Ellenville and Wawarsing, N.Y.

All four sites were above 98 percent occupancy at the time of acquisition, and two have room for expansion. Each is along a 12-mile stretch of Route 209, according to a press release from Investment Real Estate LLC (IRE), the property-management and consulting firm that helped broker the deal.

The acquisition was somewhat unusual in that it combined two separate portfolios into a single transaction. “I had been talking to Shane Ricks, the owner of Valley Self Storage, for over a year, and we were close to listing the property when I met Todd Polonsky, the owner of Rondout Valley and Ellenville Mini Storage,” recalls George Hatchard, a brokerage adviser with IRE. “Todd was simply looking for an updated valuation of his facilities. When our team studied the region and considered the best way to market each property, we decided listing the package together would benefit not only the sellers, but also open the portfolio up to larger regional buyers. I am so happy for them both, as the plan worked out excellently as we anticipated.”

CSG operates facilities under the Columbia Self Storage brand name. Its portfolio comprises more than 640,000 square feet. The company is actively seeking acquisition opportunities in the Northeast, according to its website.

Since its inception in 1998, IRE has provided brokerage, construction, development and management services to self-storage owners and investors.

Manhattan Mini Storage, which operates 17 self-storage facilities throughout New York City, has launched a valet-storage offering called “Full Service Plus” (FSP). Customers can use the service to have their packed belongings picked up and taken to one of three company locations or arrange for return delivery or in-store pickup, according to a press release.

Tenants can choose between the Extra Small Plan (64 cubic feet) for $99 per month or the Small Plan (120 cubic feet) for $159 per month. FSP customers are required to sign a 90-day lease, according to the company website.

"As the longest standing and most extensive storage provider, we've become a part of New Yorkers' lives, and Full Service Plus has developed a new benchmark of convenience by understanding and responding to their needs," said Jon Dario, president. "We're excited to see the response to this pilot as we continue to tailor offerings for customers across the city."

FSP is available through the company’s Hudson Yards, Lower East Side and Upper East Side locations. Expansion to other facilities is under consideration, the release stated.

Founded in 1978, Manhattan Mini is part of the Edison Properties network of businesses. Edison also operates Edison ParkFast, a network of 40 garages and lots throughout Baltimore, New York City and Northeast New Jersey. Its other properties include workspace offices, executive offices and pre-built suites, The Hippodrome office building, and The Ludlow, a luxury residential high-rise on the Lower East Side.

Source:
PR Newswire, Manhattan Mini Storage Full Service Plus Launches as On-Demand Storage Solution