SelfStorageAuction.com and iBid4Storage.com Join OpenTech Portfolio

Thursday, November 21, 2024 11:10 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

PRESS RELEASE

OpenTech Alliance Acquires SelfStorageAuction.com and iBid4Storage.com

For Immediate Release

(November 18, 2024) - Phoenix, AZ. OpenTech Alliance, the PropTech leader in self storage and owner of StorageTreasures.com, announced today it has completed the acquisition of SelfStorageAuction.com, a U.S.-based online auction platform, and iBid4Storage.com, the leading online auction website in Canada. This acquisition follows OpenTech’s earlier purchase of StorageStuff.Bid, another U.S.-based auction website, in 2018.

The deal also includes licensed versions of iBidOnStorage in the UK, Europe, South Africa, and Australia, supporting over 150 self storage brands in the UK alone. These platforms will continue to operate independently, with OpenTech expanding its support of these partnerships. The company will also explore opportunities to leverage its resources in these regions to drive further growth for the iBidOnStorage businesses.

“We’re excited to grow our online auction footprint in the US and around the globe,” said Robert A. Chiti, Chief Executive Officer at OpenTech Alliance. “Over the next 12–24 months, we’ll work closely with our customers to identify the best ways to enhance auction performance, while also introducing innovative tools and services that will create added value for both buyers and sellers.”

Users of all platforms can expect a seamless transition, with no immediate changes to their experience. OpenTech plans to integrate existing customer service teams into its robust auction operations to significantly expand the number of representatives supporting customers of the new sites, increase marketing efforts to improve average sale prices, and leverage the combined resources of its engineering, accounting and sales teams.

As part of the acquisition, OpenTech will ensure continuity for users while working to introduce new tools that enhance the auction experience. Leveraging OpenTech’s advanced data insights and marketing expertise, the goal is to attract more bidders and boost auction visibility on both SelfStorageAuction.com and iBid4Storage.com.

User feedback will guide the development of new services and features to benefit both sellers and buyers, ensuring that its platforms continue to evolve to meet the demands of the growing online auction market.

For more information about this acquisition, please contact OpenTech Alliance today.

OpenTech Alliance, Inc.

2101 W. Peoria Ave, # 100

Phoenix, AZ 85029

602.749.9370

opentechalliance.com

Media Contact:

Kimberly Robinson

VP of Marketing

OpenTech Alliance, Inc.

Direct: 602.324.8698

krobinson@opentechalliance.com

StorageTreasures Partners with StoragePug

Monday, August 12, 2024 9:10 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

PRESS RELEASE

StoragePug First Website Developer to Join StorageTreasures Referral Program

For Immediate Release

(August 8, 2024) — OpenTech Alliance, the PropTech leader in self storage, is pleased to announce that StoragePug, an industry-leading digital marketing company, is the first website developer to join their new marketing referral program. The program benefits self storage operators using the StorageTreasures online auction platform by helping boost both their auction results and online ranking. This unique program gives operators a strategy to grow their online presence and authority while significantly improving their storage auction recovery rates.

Key benefits of the marketing referral program include:

Improved Storage Auction Recovery Rates: This marketing strategy leverages technical SEO to help operators increase the visibility of their storage auctions to secure improved financial outcomes and higher recovery rates.

Enhanced Website Searchability and Authority: Operators that have implemented this program subsequently ranked higher in search engine results, driving more traffic and potential renters to their primary self storage domains.

Operators can take advantage of a recent collaboration with StoragePug and add this feature to their website in a few simple steps or contact StorageTreasures directly to integrate the referral API into their existing website.

"We are always looking for creative ways to bring our customers even more value," stated Tommy Nguyen, Co-Founder and COO at StoragePug. "The partnership with StorageTreasures to help operators leverage these marketing strategies was a no-brainer. Customers can easily implement the referral program through their StoragePug Client Success Specialist for a smooth and efficient process."

Amanda Holt, Senior Vice President at StorageTreasures, commented:

“We have seen large operators increase their average sale price by 28% in year one with a 15% consistent lift YOY post-implementation and are thrilled to give self storage operators another tool to control their online visibility and auction success. Our collaboration with StoragePug ensures that operators using our online auction platform can effortlessly integrate these powerful marketing tactics into their operational strategies.”

Reach out to your StoragePug representative for support or contact StorageTreasures customer support or your strategic account manager today to learn how to implement the referral API on your website.

OpenTech Alliance, Inc.

2101 W. Peoria Ave, # 100

Phoenix, AZ 85029

602.749.9370

opentechalliance.com

Media Contact:

Kimberly Robinson

OpenTech Alliance, Inc.

Direct: 602.324.8698

krobinson@opentechalliance.com

OpenTech Alliance Announces C-Suite Promotions

Friday, June 28, 2024 1:56 PM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

PRESS RELEASE

OpenTech Alliance Announces C-Suite Promotions

For Immediate Release

(June 28th, 2024) – Phoenix, AZ, OpenTech Alliance, the PropTech leader in self storage, has expanded its leadership team and today announced the promotion of four leaders responsible for finance, marketing and support operations. This announcement comes just one year after the company announced its official international business expansion, supporting the company’s rapid growth and vision to become a worldwide provider of innovative, high-quality self storage technology solutions.

“We have amazing leaders at OpenTech and we are happy to be promoting a few. I am eager to make some room in the C-Suite for Tania, Kristi and Dan Scaman, recently promoted to COO, and support them as they usher in a new era at OpenTech,” said Robert A. Chiti, Founder and CEO at OpenTech Alliance. “They are already setting higher bars for both the customer and employee experience and driving phenomenal outcomes for our organization. I am confident our customers and employees will enjoy the fresh ideas and positive vibes from all of these leaders.”

Today’s C-level promotions include:

Tania Miaoulis, Chief Financial Officer – Miaoulis, a licensed CPA in Arizona since 2009, brings a wealth of experience to OpenTech, having previously served as Controller for a $400M organization and Finance Director for a company that grew from $50M to $200M. She joined OpenTech as Vice President of Accounting & Finance in 2023 and led the implementation of new processes, systems, and internal controls to improve company efficiency and risk mitigation, and payment processing for its customers. As the Chief Financial Officer, Miaoulis will lead financial operations, drive strategic financial planning and analysis, develop strategies for capital allocation, optimize working capital to minimize costs and risks and provide insights for decision-making and growth strategies.
Kristi Adams, Chief Marketing Officer – Adams has led marketing efforts at CubeSmart, Fort Box and other self storage operations across the U.S. and in Europe, responsible for establishing and maintaining brand identity and spearheading innovative marketing efforts to drive demand from consumers. She joined OpenTech in 2019 as the Vice President of Marketing. Adams is responsible for delivering marketing support for 8 product lines, including the e-commerce brand StorageTreasures. Under her leadership, the OpenTech marketing team has significantly advanced brand recognition and helped grow company revenue to over $50M in five years. As the Chief Marketing Officer, Adams will leverage her 20 years of self storage experience to oversee global marketing initiatives, brand strategy and customer engagement to ensure OpenTech’s continued market leadership and expansion.

In addition, OpenTech has also promoted the following key performers:

Tina Berlingeri, VP of Call Center Operations – Berlingeri served as Director of Member Services at NASM and United Healthcare before joining OpenTech Alliance in 2016. As the Call Center Director, Berlingeri has been instrumental in supporting the growth and development of policies, procedures, and personnel to deliver exceptional service to storage operators and their customers. As Vice President of Call Center Operations, Berlingeri will oversee operational processes and implement strategies to improve efficiency, support customer satisfaction and enhance service delivery.
Kimberly Robinson, VP of Marketing – Prior to joining OpenTech, Robinson served in Director roles for statewide non-profit organizations, heading up marketing, fundraising, and event-management functions for nine years. Robinson joined OpenTech in 2019 as Creative Content Manager where she leveraged her content expertise to help market the company’s industry-leading technology solutions. She was promoted to Director of Marketing Communications in 2022, and now joins the leadership team as Vice President of Marketing to lead demand generation, product marketing and support and paid media strategy.

These strategic appointments reinforce the company’s commitment to leveraging internal talent and continued investment in opportunities for its people to develop their careers at OpenTech.

OpenTech Alliance, Inc.

2101 W. Peoria Ave, # 100

Phoenix, AZ 85029

602.749.9370

opentechalliance.com

Media Contact:

Kimberly Robinson

OpenTech Alliance, Inc.

Direct: 602.324.8698

krobinson@opentechalliance.com

What Self-Storage Owners Need To Know About Junk Fee Laws

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 4:00 PM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

What Self-Storage Operators Need To Know About
"Junk Fee" Laws

bigstock-Black-Wooden-Gavel-Hammer-And--476476815

For years, businesses of all types have been subjected to allegations that their on-line pricing programs were “deceptive” because the final price that the consumer paid for the product or service was not the price that was advertised. These claims of “hidden fees,” “drip pricing,” or “junk fees” all addressed the contention that businesses were omitting certain mandatory fees or charges when displaying their pricing.

In April of 2023, in response to increasing pressure, Congress introduced the Junk Fee Prevention Act. Although that federal bill has not yet passed, in October of 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a notice of a proposed rule on “Unfair and Deceptive Fees.” The FTC stated that the proposed rule would “prohibit unfair or deceptive practices relating to fees for goods or services.” The Federal rule would require that all fees and charges be disclosed and that the pricing be “clearly and conspicuously” presented so as to be “difficult to miss” and “easily understandable.”

Absent such disclosures, the rule would consider certain pricing practices as a “bait and switch,” luring customers in with one advertised price but ultimately charging them a different final price for the same advertised item. In addition to the FTC’s proposed rule, other potential regulatory action is being considered under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Housing & Urban Development, and the Department of Transportation. But the federal government is not alone in its focus on deceptive pricing practices. Many state governments are also concerned with this issue.

There are already statutes around the country that legislate penalties for deceptive trade practices, including those relating to false marketing. Recently, the California State Legislature passed an amendment to their already existing California Consumers Legal Remedies (CLRA) law to specifically address added violations if a company “advertises, displays or offers goods or services at a price, but does not disclose all mandatory fees or charges when displaying the price.”

On October 7, 2023, California passed its consumer pricing law prohibiting “drip pricing.” The new law goes into effect July 1, 2024. The “junk fee” amendment to the CLRA provides guidance to businesses not only in California but around the country. The new law makes it a violation of the Act to “advertise, display offer a price for a good or service that does not include all mandatory fees and includes penalties for such acts including actual damages, punitive damages and civil penalties that can be charged for each alleged violation.”

Clearly, this law will be the focus of future class action cases because of the potential penalties of up to $2,500 per violation. The Act also allows for the recovery of attorneys’ fees. But California is not the only state that has turned its attention to pricing issues. California joins other states like Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Maryland, Florida and others that are changing their laws to require full disclosure of all fees that apply to the transaction before the sale is completed.

This new scrutiny on fees and pricing practices comes at a time when more and more self-storage facilities are offering discounting or concession pricing. Since self-storage companies use the internet to advertise their pricing, it is important for self-storage operators to understand and apply this new law, updating their websites as needed to clarify their pricing and charges for their storage units. The laws require significant pricing disclosure and transparency, including how much the discount is, how long it will last, and the actual price that will be charged once the discount ends.

There should also be an enhancement of language in the website and other marketing that explains the right of the self-storage facility to increase the rental rates with 30 days advance notice based on the month-to-month nature of the self-storage contract.

Veterans’ Groups Endorse Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act

Thursday, June 13, 2024 12:20 PM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2024	CONTACT Hector Barajas (323) 314-3342 hector@amplify360inc.com

Veterans’ Groups Endorse Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act
As Flag Day Nears, Veterans Signal Support for Democratic Rights to Decide Taxes

SACRAMENTO, CA- Today, veterans’ organizations across California announced their support for the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, adding to the broad, bipartisan coalition backing the popular initiative. California is home to more veterans than any other state and has a proud history of military service.

“As individuals who have served our nation and are deeply committed to protecting democratic principles, we strongly support the Taxpayer Protection Act,” said George Marsh, president and commanding officer of the Marine Corps Veterans Association.

“The foundation of good government is accountability. This initiative empowers Californians to have a voice on how they are taxed and how their leaders must democratically respond to their concerns. The right to participate in the democratic process is at the heart of what we defended and fought for during our military service,” added Chuck Jamison, past post commander of the Scottish American Military Society, California.

Organizations announcing their support include:

· AMVETS Department of California

· Association of the United States Army, Southern California

· Coalition of Small and Disabled Veteran Businesses

· Department of California Disabled American Veterans

· Marine Corps Veterans Association

· National Veterans Foundation

· Scottish American Military Society, California

· Veterans Affiliated Council

· Women Veterans Alliance
*Partial list

“Many veterans have lived in California their entire lives and military careers. Our state must remain affordable and take steps to control the cost of living so veterans are not priced out of California. The Taxpayer Protection Act is critical towards ensuring the state can remain a place where veterans can thrive,” concluded Kendra Moss, advisory member of the Women Veterans Alliance.

The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act will:

· Increase accountability and transparency so politicians spend our tax dollars more efficiently.

· Empower voters with the right to approve or reject all new state and local taxes, ensuring that elected officials are held accountable for spending public funds.

· Stop government agencies from using “hidden taxes” disguised as fees to drive up the cost of government services.

###

About Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability
Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability is a bipartisan coalition of homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses committed to ensuring California remains affordable for families and accountable to its voters. For more information, visit www.taxpayerprotection.com.

Paid for by Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability, sponsored by California homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses. Committee Top Funders California Business Roundtable, California Business Properties Association, Gerald J. Marcil

Coalition Update: We were in court today defending your right to vote on critical issues like taxes

Wednesday, May 08, 2024 12:20 PM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

Our campaign appeared before the California Supreme Court in San Francisco this morning to oppose the governor and Legislature’s lawsuit to remove the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act from the ballot.

The good news: History is on our side. California courts have zealously guarded voters’ right to use the initiative process, adopting a longstanding tradition of letting Californians decide initiatives at the ballot box.

Using taxpayer money to deny voters: One of our campaign co-chairs, Rob Lapsley, President of the California Business Roundtable, perfectly summed up the irony of the lawsuit in a recent LA Times article:

· “The fact that the Legislature and the governor are using taxpayer money to try and deny the voters of California, over 1.43 million who signed our petitions, the opportunity to have their voice heard is a direct violation of everything they talk about in terms of direct democracy. They’re complete hypocrites when it comes to this case.”

Next steps: The Court will decide the lawsuit before the June 27 deadline to finalize the November ballot. We will update you as soon as a decision is reached and we are officially on the November ballot.

Thank you for your continued support,

The Coalitions Team

PS- Stay Up to Date
To get the latest news on the Taxpayer Protection Act, please follow our social accounts.

Paid for by Californians for Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability, sponsored by California homeowners, taxpayers, and businesses. Committee Top Funders California Business Roundtable, California Business Properties Association, Gerald J. Marcil

Modern Storage Media Partners with Scott Zucker on Self Storage Legal Monthly Minute

Wednesday, March 13, 2024 9:25 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

Modern Storage Media Partners with Scott Zucker on Self Storage Legal Monthly Minute

Legal Minute

After more than 20 years, the Legal Monthly Minute, published by Scott Zucker, a partner in the law firm of Weissmann Zucker Euster + Katz P.C. in Atlanta, Ga., will now be published by Modern Storage Media (MSM). MSM’s partnership with the Legal Monthly Minute will enable Zucker’s pertinent, industry-focused legal information to be disseminated to self-storage owner-operators throughout the United States on a larger scale.

“We have enjoyed working with Scott for many, many years and are overjoyed to formalize the integration of his Legal Monthly Minute into Messenger and the entire MSM platform,” says Modern Storage Media Publisher Poppy Behrens. “We understand the importance of legal education in the self-storage industry, and Scott is one of the foremost legal experts in the industry. We look forward to distributing his articles through the MSM platform.”

Zucker’s Legal Monthly Minute articles have been reprinted in numerous trade association newsletters and magazines, including MSM’s Messenger. They’ve also been used to create his “Legal Topics in Self Storage” books (First and Second Editions).

“I love communicating with self-storage owners and managers about the legal issues impacting their operations,” says Scott Zucker. “The Legal Monthly Minute was a way to share pertinent information in quick bites on a regular basis.

Partnering with MSM allows me the chance to broaden my range of information sharing on a national basis. I’m excited to work with them and derive the benefit of the technology they are using to enhance the delivery of timely and relevant information to the entire self-storage industry.”

Sent to MSM subscribers, the Legal Monthly Minute newsletter also offers limited advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Three attention-grabbing ad sizes with prominent placements are available. Contact Lauri Longstrom-Henderson, director of sales and marketing, at Lauri@ModernStorageMedia.com, (602) 678-3526, or (970) 200-8656 for additional details.

ABOUT SCOTT ZUCKER

Scott Zucker is a partner in the law firm of Weissmann Zucker Euster + Katz P.C. in Atlanta, GA. Scott specializes in business litigation with an emphasis on real estate, landlord-tenant, and construction law. He’s been active in the self-storage industry for more than 30 years.

VISIT WZ LEGAL'S WEBSITE

2024 Inside Self-Storage World Expo

Friday, March 01, 2024 9:24 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

2024 Inside Self-Storage World Expo

April 2-5, 2024

Caesars Forum Conference Center | Las Vegas

Join us to experience education seminars, intensive workshops, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, robust networking, and exhibits from the industry’s leading product and service suppliers! The ISS World Expo is a must-attend show for professionals looking to successfully start or grow a self-storage operation, including owners, managers, investors, builders, developers and others! The event will take place April 2-5 (expo hall open on April 3 and 4), at our new venue, Caesars Forum Conference Center in Las Vegas. CSSA members receive a free Expo Package or $30 off a Seminar Package or All-Access Package. Register today at issworldexpo.com/register.

(link to https://www.xpressreg.net/register/isst0424/landing.asp?sc=ASN32)

Save the Date! Colliers Self-Storage Lunch & Learn

Friday, January 12, 2024 11:46 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

Self-Storage Lunch & Learn

Colliers has begun the next round of Lunch & Learns for 2024. Check out our upcoming Newsletters for other locations throughout the year. If you live in Northern California, we would love to have you join our meetings in February.

Sacramento

When: Wednesday, February 7, 2024

11am-1pm (lunch provided)

Where: 301 University Ave

Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95825

San Jose

When: Thursday, February 8, 2024

11am-1pm (lunch provided)

Where: 225 W Santa Clara Street

Suite 1000
San Jose, CA 95113

Topics of Discussion

Industry Overview (2023 and 2024)
Rental Rates
Occupancy
Expenses & Technology
Cap Rates
Debt & Finance
Sales Transactions - Market Pricing
Supply & New Construction
Industry Update by CSSA

Jeff Shouse, MAI, CRE
National Self-Storage Director
Valuation & Advisory Services
+1 916 996 0638

jeff.shouse@colliers.com

Tom de Jong, SIOR
Executive Vice Pesident
+1 408 282 3829

tom.dejong@colliers.com

Changes in self storage lien notification take effect January 1, 2024

Friday, December 15, 2023 10:20 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

CSSA Legislative Alert

Changes in Self Storage Lien Sale Notifications

Take Effect January 1, 2024

Due to the legislative efforts of the California Self Storage Association (CSSA) and the Self Storage Association (SSA), AB542 (Carrillo) was passed and signed, providing three important reforms to the advertising requirement in California Business & Professions Code 21707:

First, the bill cuts in half the number of required newspaper advertisements from two to one, provided that the operator also advertises the sale online. If the operator does not advertise online, the operator must still have two advertisements published in the newspaper.

Second, AB542 allows operators to advertise sales in a newspaper of general circulation either in the public notice district or county where the storage facility is located. Prior law required the advertisement to be placed in a newspaper of general circulation in the public notice district. This change provides more options for operators, particularly those in a public notice district with only one newspaper.

Third, the bill eliminates the outdated requirement to describe the goods because most sales occur online where potential bidders can readily see photos of the items for sale.

THESE CHANGES TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2024

The SSA and CSSA wish to extend their thanks to bill sponsor Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale), his staff, and the associations’ Sacramento-based lobbyist Naomi Padron of MKP Government Relations for their assistance in the passage of AB542.

The Latest Industry News

SelfStorageAuction.com and iBid4Storage.com Join OpenTech Portfolio

Thursday, November 21, 2024 11:10 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

OpenTech Alliance, Inc.

Media Contact:

StorageTreasures Partners with StoragePug

Monday, August 12, 2024 9:10 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

StoragePug First Website Developer to Join StorageTreasures Referral Program

OpenTech Alliance, Inc.

Media Contact:

OpenTech Alliance Announces C-Suite Promotions

Friday, June 28, 2024 1:56 PM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

OpenTech Alliance, Inc.

Media Contact:

What Self-Storage Owners Need To Know About Junk Fee Laws

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 4:00 PM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

Veterans’ Groups Endorse Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act

Thursday, June 13, 2024 12:20 PM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

Coalition Update: We were in court today defending your right to vote on critical issues like taxes

Wednesday, May 08, 2024 12:20 PM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

Modern Storage Media Partners with Scott Zucker on Self Storage Legal Monthly Minute

Wednesday, March 13, 2024 9:25 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

Modern Storage Media Partners with Scott Zucker on Self Storage Legal Monthly Minute

2024 Inside Self-Storage World Expo

Friday, March 01, 2024 9:24 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

Save the Date! Colliers Self-Storage Lunch & Learn

Friday, January 12, 2024 11:46 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

Changes in self storage lien notification take effect January 1, 2024

Friday, December 15, 2023 10:20 AM | Remy Mcuistion (Administrator)

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