When I left Phoenix last week to head to Nashville for the ISS Expo, it was a warm 90 degrees. I returned late Friday night to wind and, surprisingly, cooler weather. It seems fall is finally here.
If you live on the East Coast or even the Midwest, you’ve likely already spotted the many faces of fall: cooler weather, changing leaves and shorter daylight hours. Another sign: the onslaught of fall festivals. Schools have them. So do cities and neighborhoods. So why not a self-storage facility?
Hawaii Self Storage, a facility heavily involved in its community, is celebrating the opening of its fifth location in Kapolei, Hawaii, with a family fun festival, Oct. 24-26. The facility will have a spooky trail, games and a costume contest.
Hosting an event like this is a fantastic way to get involved with your community. You can attract new tenants and show existing ones your appreciation. And you don’t have to put on a mini-carnival to attract visitors.
A small fall festival could include face painting, games and activities such as pumpkin carving or coloring contests, or even a pet parade. Invite a local musician or high school band to play. Hawaii Self Storage partnered with a high school drama club to create the spooky trail. You can charge a small fee to cover the costs of the event or ask nearby businesses to co-sponsor the event. Post company banners or posters around the event area or invite your sponsors to participate. Be sure to have a couple of units open so visitors can take a peek. Also have facility info on hand, like rates, move-in specials, security features, hours of operation, etc.
With the holiday season just around the corner, consider hosting a Santa Day or open a unit for gift-wrapping. For more ideas on community involvement, check out this article from the ISS archives.
It's no secret that many facilities are seeing occupency rates drop. Homeowners are tightening up, and competition is soaring. Hosting a community event is a surefire way to ensure your facility is the choice for self-storage. If you've hosted an event or are planning one, hit the leave comment button below to share your story.