I have never been to the self storage expos in Las Vegas and I noticed the upcoming one in Nashville in October. My question is to those of you who have been to the expos, are they very informative and do they have vendors there to demonstrate their products? Is the one in Nashville the same as the Las Vegas one or should I just wait til the next one in Vegas? Any information about this is greatly appreciated.

...and well worth the time and expense. Of course the Vegas one is the biggie, offering a huge variety of information and exposure to new products and ideas. If your travel budget demands a choice between two, I say Las Vegas. If expense is no object- attend 'em all...

Lisa, it's probably a matter of what you are looking for, as to which you would attend. While LasVegas is big, and would have more, a regional expo is quite valuable in that you are more likely to learn more about what works in your state. That might be from a legal prespective or even things like the best building materials and what kinds of issues are specific to your area. For example, I deal with snow removal issues up here in Michigan. I don't have the varmint and mold issues that some of the Southern and Western states do.

I definitely recommend that you attend an expo. You will get a wealth of information, make valuable contacts, have an opportunity to exchange ideas with other facility managers/owners and vendors. My suggestion, though is that when you attend the lectures, take lots of notes. Even though it's tempting to just sit back and listen, you'll get a lot more out of it if you can refer back to your notes when issues arise. Well worth the money, IMO.

Thank You for your replies. I understand what you are saying about the specific issues for the area you live in. I too am from Michigan and deal with the snow issues as well. I Will say I am so happy to finally see Spring around here! I think I will try to get to the Nashville Expo this Fall, I have been in the business 6 years and never attended one. Thanks for the input.

Hey Lisa ... You'll find both shows informative, but they do have a different atmosphere. The ISS Vegas Expo, the industry's largest show, is very fast-paced and high-energy, with a lot happening both on and off the scene. The fall show is more intimate and relaxed. I've been told from people who are new to the industry that the fall show was a more comfortable venue for their "induction," as they could spend more time with speakers and exhibitors on a one-on-one basis. But both shows have phenomenal education and networking opportunities, and attendees are always welcoming and friendly. I highly recommend attending a conference, as it will give you insight to the business that you really can't get anywhere else. If you join us in Nashville, feel free to come by the ISS booth to ask questions and grab some info.