Rentals and calls have been very slow lately, so I am trying to come up with some fun event that might get us a little attention...

I have quite a few businesses that are currently storing with us and I was thinking about having some sort of holiday sale and allowing any business customer who was interested to set up a booth or tent and sell thier goodies one Saturday. My corporate office is dead set against a yard sale type event, so I would not be able to let everyone participate...I'm not sure if that would cause any hurt feelings...

What have you guys had success with as an inexpensive holiday event?

Doing things for the traditional holidays is fine, and good to do. But, people seem to be short of money around the holidays, at least, that is what they say when we call to collect.

In a previous life at USI, my managers came up with and idea. I may have told about this before, so I apologize in advance if I have. They picked a hoilday in either Australia or New Zealand, I believe. It was Waitangi (sp) Day. Not knowing anything about this hoilday, they decorated their offices in a manner fitting for an unknown hoilday. This was in Lakeland, Fl. They had a little wading pool, and all kind of goofy things. Don't remember if we got any new customers, but it was a lot of fun for my managers.

Why not try celebrating some other holidays from somewhere else, maybe from your heritage, or something that is celebrated in your hometown, or ????

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

Disclaimer: What Gina said....'cause the the cheese fell of my cracker.

You could plan a big collection event, benefitting Toys for Tots, or 2nd Harvest, or something else.

Maybe have some of your businesses donate food or raffle gifts, and everyone that donates would get a special rental price on a unit.

This year, wherever I may be at, I'm going to do an event for Toy's for Tots to benefit the age groups that don't get enough donations....babies to 3 yrs old, and tweens ages 12 to 15!

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What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are small matters compared to what lies within us!

Shannon

I think I might feel silly celebrating some holiday no one has ever heard of in December...but it could be fun in the spring!

I like the idea! Toys for Tots is a big thing around here - lots of military in our area. Thanks!

May I second Shaekirk's point about the kids that are forgotten?

When we plan our toy giveaway party we throw for the Marines each year it's so hard. The Toys For Tots program is for birth to age 16. The infants are forgotten, and the 12-16 year olds are as well.

There is nothing more heart breaking than trying to do a cut off age of 12-13 for children invited to the giveaway knowing that there is a 14 year old in the household. Thankfully, we've always been able to accommodate the older child somehow, but I fear the day may come when we can't.

Even senior citizens enjoy a special gift now and then, what makes a 14, 15, or 16 year old any different?

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Gina 6k
CochraneStorage dot com
Morgan Hill, California
twitter.com/CochraneStorage

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough!
I am not an attorney, just an experienced manager who is willing to share what I have learned. Your thoughts, practices or opinions may vary and neither of us may be right.

We have a program here called Soles for Souls and it is for shoes. I am going to contact them to be a drop off. Another thing we have done in the past is donated our Moving Truck to the local Community Help Center. They drove our truck in the Christmas Parade and collected canned goods from the folks along the parade route. The cans were easily collected in our truck!

You could always do a canned food drive and anyone who brings say 2 - 3 cans could get a discount on a unit.

But BACK to your idea, maybe just hold an Open House for all of your tenants. Serve Cold Drinks and Cookies or something inexpensive. Hand out referral cards and offer referral incentives. Allow your business accounts to hand out business cards.

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By permission from Auto Doc

All arguments can be resolved ... with high explosives and Humor!!!