Shae, that about says it all. We are keeping all of the fun to ourselves. We need to be nice and share, just like we teach our children to do!

Everyone call your top two favorite competitors and see if they'd be interested in joining us.

Secondly, Tuesday/Wednesday evenings usually worked out well, on the third week of the month when business is slow.

Can you poll your competitors when you call to say "Hey I found this great resource it's called SST and we're all getting together for dinner 3rd week of March, wanna come?"

Of course this time around, the 3rd Wed. falls on St. Patrick's Day so we'd have to opt for Tuesday or Thursday or ??? Let's see what you learn when you invite people along. All I can tell you is booking a restaurant for a Friday or Saturday night just does NOT happen for a group.

Any & all feedback is appreciated. And I am reading this thread I'm just trying so hard (someone quick take away Gina's keyboard) to not hog all of the posts on here.

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Gina 6k
CochraneStorage dot com
Morgan Hill, California
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!

1. Shae, obviosly, if they didn't know about SST, they aren't competutirs, just people in the same industry. Now, you will have strong competition from these new SSTers.

2. I have been in favor of small local groups of managers meeting to discull business and make new friends. I have, also, consistently been cautioned about the possiblity of being accused of price fixing. You may want to avoid talking rates.

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Bob Taylor (Astro)
Blue Ridge Self Storage
Cashiers, NC

Astro- no price fixing discussions ever occurred, although we did trade rate sheets a time or two. What the owners do with any info gleaned is up to them. We're always within $5-10 of each other on each size regardless of whether a comp survey is done or not. Everyone I think goes with whatever the market will bear.

James, can you identify the people in this photo?

Attached Images

SSM.jpg (19.5 KB, 13 views)

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Gina 6k
CochraneStorage dot com
Morgan Hill, California
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!

Hi Gina,

I don't know who the cutie flashing the peace sign is, but isn't that Guy Denos, and Mary, who are flanking you? Was Jerry (RIP) taking that picture?

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James A Mathews
Facility Manager
CBD Indoor Mini Storage

That little one is Michelle, Mary & Jerry's granddaughter who is now a grown woman. Yes, Jerry took the picture. It's been a few years, dang I've aged. At least you can hide your aging with facial hair. Yes you're right, that's Mary & Guy.

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Gina 6k
CochraneStorage dot com
Morgan Hill, California
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!

Whew! I was worried I might flunk that test...

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James A Mathews
Facility Manager
CBD Indoor Mini Storage

You are close to me Wayne, maybe we should start something in So Cal Inland Empire area. I am in Hemet/San Jacinto and you are on the other side of the mountain...

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Jeanne Rittenhouse
Valley Wide Self Storage
Trainer and Manager
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

I've organized a small manager's meeting for the lower penninsula area of San mateo County, if anyone is interested....

Lemme know and I'll email the details!

Informal...get to know eachother...recession-bashing kind of thing...lol

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Never put limits on yourself!

Shannon

Okay gang, we have an offer of a fabulous speaker to kick off the inaugural restart of the Bay Area Self Storage Managers Group. You'll be stoked when you hear who but just to keep you in suspense, I won't share just yet. Stinker aren't I?

I just wanted to let you know things are progressing along and we'll firm up a place, date & time as soon as possible and post it here. At that time, you can invite other facility managers but please be prepared to send me their email address so we can keep them in the loop also.

Please chime in and let me know what area works best for those of you interested. If I don't hear otherwise, I'm aiming for some place in the area of Santa Clara/Sunnyvale area or as far north as maybe Palo Alto, and around 7 p.m. on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

Once we get a core group going, we'll firm up future plans, frequency of get togethers, average costs you/owners are willing to spend on a monthly or quarterly basis, things like that. I'm excited and looking forward to meeting more of you in person!

In case you're not aware of how to locate my email address, it is simply;
Gina AT CochraneStorage DOT com

Oh, and to the two ladies who stopped by the ISS booth last week in Las Vegas... I don't know who you are but you picked up Cochrane Storage smiley pens and spoke with Teri Lanza. You mentioned to her you were 'competitors' of mine. I didn't get a chance to meet you then, but I'd love to meet you also! I'll even share my source with you for great marketing items. Or give me a call if you prefer over emailing me.

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Gina 6k
CochraneStorage dot com
Morgan Hill, California
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!

Of course Palo Alto would work better for me...aren't I terrible?

Both locations are good...the time is good, depending on traffic, and...

I'M SOOOO EXCITED!!!!

If you like any help with anything let me know, Gina!!!

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Never put limits on yourself!

Shannon