Are you a member of a self-storage association in your state? What are the benefits? What do you like about being a part of the association?

If not, why haven't you joined?

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Amy Campbell
Editor
Inside Self-Storage
acampbell@vpico.com

Not only are all the facilities that we manage members but I am also on the Arizona Self Storage Association Board of Directors. The state associations need member support in order to have a voice that will be heard in the state legislature, they help to give our industry credibility with investors, lenders, etc, and they are a great resource for legal tips, marketing, networking and many more benefits.

I feel that everyone should be long to their state association if they are going to be in the business, it benefits all and the helps us all in the long run.

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Mel Holsinger, President
Professional Self Storage Management, LLC
3434 E. Kleindale Ste. E
Tucson, AZ 85716
O: 520.320.9135
F: 520.320.9435
www.proselfstorage.com

I think the classy California SSA sticker on my front door gives customers a level of confidence in our business. It shows we are serious enough about what we do here that we have joined the state association. I also like that by being a member, we are encourging our state legislature to write bills more friendly to the industry.

Sticker? What sticker? We've been a member of CSSA since its' inception. One of our owners is a founding member. Hmmm, I wonder... bet he forgot to pass it along to us. I'll have to check into that sticker Geraldine. Thanks for the heads up.

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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.

I am the past President and current Board Member of the Idaho Self Storage Association.

We have quarterly membership meetings in which we have a guest speaker to talk about storage related topics. Last year we had a great annual conference in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho that Anne Ballard and Michael Scanlen spoke at. We are also an affiliate member of the National Self Storage Assoc. which give our members the opportunity to attend conferences/expos at a discounted price and receive the Globe magazine.

Though I have found it difficult to attract the smaller facility owners (>150 units) as new members. It seems that many of them are happy doing business as they have for the past 15-20 years and being 100% full with the lowest rates in town.

Anyone have ideas how to attract more members?

Michael

In Arizona we have a "small" member catagory, anyone with under 100 units or 10,000 square feet qualifies for a lower membership rate. It has helped us get some of the smaller facilities.

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Mel Holsinger, President
Professional Self Storage Management, LLC
3434 E. Kleindale Ste. E
Tucson, AZ 85716
O: 520.320.9135
F: 520.320.9435
www.proselfstorage.com

I have been a member of the Missouri Self Storage Owners Association since it started 10 years ago. I have been a board member and the past 2 years I have been president of the MSSOA.
There are a lot of benefits to being a member. MSSOA is always watching for regulatory and legislative issues (positive or negative)which could affect self storage owners. We have a Model Rental Agreement Program which is only available for members. All members receive copies of the Missouri Lein Law, the Late Fee law, a late fee kit and new self storage laws as they are passed. We offer dicounts to members to the annual convention and trade show. Each member has access to a online listing of other members in the state. All these things are great but you cannot underestimate the benefits of networking with other owners/operators. These are just a few of the benefits of belonging to the Missouri Association. I am sure there are similar benefits to other state association.

thanks Mel H for the idea of reduced rate for smaller facilities owners