PRESENTED BY:
Scott Meyers, Principal, Kingdom Storage Holdings LLC

Like it or not, a recession is here. Our presenter will touch on industry lessons learned from the Great Recession of 2008 as well as similarities and differences in today’s market. He’ll share a blueprint on how to navigate this downturn and take advantage of opportunities that will occur, discussing the effects on finance, development and more. 

You’ll learn:

• Statistical data on where we are in the economic cycle
• The effects the recession is having on self-storage compared to 2008
• How the downturn has affected institutional lenders and private-equity markets
• The short- and long-term effects on self-storage development projects
• How to position yourself to take advantage of market opportunities

PRESENTED BY:
Clair Hoover, President and CEO, Freedom Storage Management

As shiny new self-storage facilities crop up in your area, equipped with fancy amenities, advanced technology and attractive services, prospective customers need reasons to keep your facility top of mind and not vote you off their island. Our presenter will share what it takes to compete in an increasingly saturated industry, including operational improvements to boost efficiency and ways to demonstrate your value proposition. Learn how to be the survivor in your market!

You’ll learn:

• How to identify and market valuable points of differentiation
• Strategies to get all staff pulling in the same direction
• Where to direct resources to compete at the highest level
• Must-have site features and amenities to stay ahead of new competition
• How to measure market success and evolve to meet customer expectations
  

MODERATED BY:
Michael Mele, Vice Chairman, The Mele Group of Cushman & Wakefield
Caesar Wright, President, Mako Steel Inc.

Have questions about funding or building a self-storage project? This is the session for you! Ask our hosts your questions about finance, capital markets, rates, real estate, development activity, feasibility, site design, construction materials and methods, and so much more.

PRESENTED BY:
Jon Loftin, Vice President and IoE (Internet of Everything) Product Owner, OpenTech Alliance Inc.

Smart technology has made life more convenient than ever. When you open an app on your phone, you’re using smart technology. We now have access to an array of connected devices that can improve quality of life and optimize business operation. Advances in self-storage technology can help your operation save money, increase security and enhance your customer experience. Our presenter will discuss the why and how.

You’ll learn: 

• An overview of Alexa voice commands to enhance your operation 
• Ways to enhance your existing CCTV cameras with artificial intelligence
• How to use smart sensors to gain insight and actionable data on when customers and prospects visit the office 
• How to leverage hands-free tenant mobile apps to upgrade the tenant-access experience
• How to manage your HVAC with remote thermostat control
  

PRESENTED BY:
Peter Stuhlreyer, Founder and Chief Architect, Designhaus LLC

The zoning and planning process is filled with obstacles and opportunities. Our speaker has appeared before officials in nearly 100 cities and attended more than 1,000 hearings. He’ll teach you how to turn “no” votes into “yes,” and avoid common mistakes that cause towns to deny your ideas. Following his 10 steps will help you get your facility built while your competitors give up on their plans.

You’ll learn:

• How to discover hidden opportunities that bolster the bottom line
• How to persuade a hostile group to be cooperative
• How to save money and time by following a sequence
• How to quickly uncover objections before you’re blindsided
  
• How to walk away before you spend too much time, money and effort

PRESENTED BY:
Susan Haviland, Owner, Haviland Storage Services

The success of any self-storage operation depends largely on the competency and motivation of its management team. Finding talented employees is important, of course; but retaining them is also critical in protecting your multi-million-dollar investment. Our presenter will help you determine the appropriate compensation to keep your team engaged and happy, including salaries and wages, bonus plans, benefits, and other incentives designed to keep them working for the success of your business.

You’ll learn:

• How to determine fair and competitive compensation for staff
• How to structure an effective bonus program
• Considerations for offering benefits such as health insurance and paid time off
• Alternative incentive strategies to consider
• Other ways to motivate managers and keep them loyal
  

MODERATED BY:
M. Anne Ballard, President of Marketing, Training & Developmental Services, and 
Stacie Maxwell, Vice President of Marketing and Training, Universal Storage Group

Have questions about successfully operating a self-storage business? This is the session for you! Ask our hosts your questions about revenue management, sales strategies, customer service and experience, marketing, site maintenance, staff issues, and so much more.

PRESENTED BY:
John Jordan, Co-Founder, Go Local Interactive

Consumers are impatient when they’re searching for a product or service, and if you don’t provide the information they’re seeking quickly, you’ll lose them to a competitor in the blink of an eye. We all know how important online presence is today, and that includes your website. In this session, you’ll learn specific optimization techniques for improving your user experience (UX), from the landing page to the final transaction.

You’ll learn:

• How to use UX testing, heat-mapping, chat features and offline data collection 
• How to integrate content to answer customers questions 
• Why data collection too early in the transaction process can push people away
• How reservations plus rental options can lift website performance
• How the presentation of fees and discounts can confuse (and lose) customers