Before everyone starts singing Auld Lang Syne on New Years Eve and gearing up for 2015, the CSSA would like to present a wrap-up for what has been a most successful 2014. Based, as always, on the premise that it exists to help members in particular and the California self storage industry in general, the CSSA came through with flying colors.
Here’s a list of just some of the top accomplishments of 2014: the passage of AB 983 by the California legislature; co-hosting the initial Tri-States Conference with Nevada and Arizona’s state associations; yet another successful Napa gathering; the 10th anniversary of the Owner’s Summit in Newport; offering free webinars to members; selection by Inside Self Storage as the top state association in the country and top-notch educational opportunities across the entire state.
Working out of its headquarters in Newport Beach, the staff of the CSSA (Erin King – Executive Director; Brenda Lafontaine -- Online Business Development & Marketing Manager and Amaris Burkel -- Manager of Operations & Member Relations) reached new heights in 2014 in the amount of meetings held across the state as well as benefits offered to members.
“We knew going into this past January that 2014 was going to be an important year for the CSSA,” said King. “Whether it was legislation, conferences, educational opportunities or benefits, we had a great deal on the table. I feel that we not only met our expectations but exceeded them. That said, once January 1 rolls around all our attention bumps forward to a new year and we likewise expect 2015 to be a great year for the CSSA and our members!”
Here is a quick look at the 2014 highlights:
If at First You Don’t Succeed, Pass AB 983
The CSSA thought it was on the right track in 2013 with legislation designed to help self storage operators dealing with delinquent tenants, was derailed by a handful of legislators. Wording was changed for legislative initiative AB 983 and the measure passed the California legislature in late summer and then signed into law by Governor Brown on September 29.
The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2015 and will provide self storage operators with an additional remedy when delinquent tenants store vehicles, boats or trailers. The bill also makes a technical change to the Declaration in Opposition to Lien Sale form. The current form requires the occupant to provide an “address” where he or she may be served. The revised form states that the occupant must provide a “Physical Address.” And the bill also makes it clear that self storage operators may include a provision in the rental agreement that limits the value of the property that customers store. Such provisions have proven very effective at limiting damages when tenants bring suits for loss of or damage to stored property.
King was pleased with the passage of the bill, but feels that more work needs to be done to address the issue of e-mailing lien notices. She hopes to build momentum in that direction in 2015.
Making a Splash at Laughlin
It had never been done before, and defying the concept that too many cooks spoil the cake, three state associations put their heads together to present the first-ever Tri-States Self Storage Conference from October 16-17 at The Golden Nugget in Laughlin, Nevada. The California Self Storage Association (CSSA), Arizona Self Storage Association (AZSA) and Nevada Self Storage Association (NVSSA) combined forces to host the “See You at the River” event that featured speakers like Jeff Greenberger, Esq. and Carol Krendl, roundtable sessions and breakout gatherings for each state association. 125 people from the three states attended the event.
Napa Know How
Building on the success of its initial West Coast Self Storage Owner’s Meeting, the second annual gathering at the Westin Verasa this past spring was equally well attended. The highlights included a West Coast Economic Forecast with Dr. Christopher Thornberg of Beacon Economics, The Threat of Repealing Prop 13 with Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, great networking and a fabulous bocce ball event to raise money for Kure It Cancer Research. As one might expect of any event in Napa, guests enjoyed the best in California wine and good company. The event returns to Napa for a third time from May 13-15 in 2015.
Happy Anniversary Owner’s Summit
10th anniversaries normally indicate that something must be working really well, and for those who have attended the CSSA’s annual Summit in Newport Beach over the past 10 years, it has become one of the top gatherings of self storage owners in the state. This past July 17 the 10th Owner’s Summit took place thanks in great part to the generosity of Talvonest Capital. This past year’s gathering featured great speakers, panels and presentations, as well as great networking opportunities, a cocktail party and the opportunity to support Kure It Cancer Research.
Meet Me at the Webinar
Technology marches on and the CSSA is right in step, making sure to offer members great opportunities to expand their knowledge. Starting this past May 1, the CSSA started offering free webinars to its members. The webinars are made available courtesy of Skilcheck Services. Among the topics available to CSSA members were: Security Issues: Help Protect Your Company’s Goods; California ADA Appliance; and Making More Money at Your Auctions. CSSA members must log in at the CSSA website to view the videos.
It is Nice to be Recognized
The CSSA puts a premium on being well-organized and available to help all its members. Sometimes, however, it is nice to be honored for your efforts, however, and the CSSA was tabbed by Inside Self-Storage (ISS) as the winner of the Best State Association category in the 2014 Inside Self-Storage readers poll. It represents the third time in the last four years that the CSSA has won the award. And Erin King was placed on the cover of the October SSA Globe magazine in conjunction with a story about top state association directors.
More Bootcamps, More Coffee, More Meetings
Manager Bootcamps continued this year and the CSSA plans to continue the program in 2015. The “Bootcamps” were created to offer members affordable, relevant content at half-day gatherings in cities and suburbs outside the major metropolitan cities. In 2014 the CSSA worked with Jeffrey Greenberger on its Legal Bootcamps. Examples of this past year’s topics have included vehicle storage nest practices, tenant bankruptcy, lease agreement requirements, eviction and rental agreement “rules” vs. “regulations.”
The CSSA will continue to host coffee meetings throughout the state that are free for anyone to attend. The meetings are typically led by Erin King or Mark Beck, take place from 7-9 a.m., and are very informal with the agenda often dictated by the group on hand. It serves as a terrific opportunity to meet people, catch up with members and see what is happening in the field.
Finally, in the holiday spirit, the CSSA is hosting gatherings in both Northern and Southern California. The 2014 Northern California Annual Meeting and Holiday Reception takes on December 4, from 6-9 p.m. at Il Fornaio in Walnut Creek, CA. The
Southern California Annual Meeting and Holiday Reception will occur on December 11 from 6-9 p.m.
Those are just some of the things that have happened at the CSSA. No doubt, 2015 will prove to be another banner year. In the meantime, Happy Holidays from everyone at the CSSA!
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