The Latest Industry News

February 10, 2010 - MiniCo Publishing announced yesterday that its next webinar will cover the self-storage pro forma. The webinar, "Understanding a Self-Storage Pro Forma," will be presented by Mike Parham of Noah's Ark Development, a subsidiary of the Parham Group. Parham will cover the following topics:

• how to analyze a pro forma overall
• anticipated development variables
• normal operating expenses
• how to determine the cost of development
• how to determine the future fair market value

The Parham Group, including Maverick Investments, NDS Construction, Cross Metal Buildings, and Joshua Management, as well as Noah's Ark Development, is sponsoring the webinar. As is usual for MiniCo Publishing's webinars, Publisher Poppy Behrens will moderate the discussion. The webinar is free, but online registration is required.

Mike Parham, the presenter for the webinar, founded Noah's Ark Development and is its President. Noah's Ark Development specializes in self-storage consulting, market analysis, site and unit mix planning, economic feasibility planning, third party developing, chain developments, joint ventures, and financing. Parham is also the developer and general partner for the Noah's Ark Self-Storage businesses, having developed 3.2 million square feet of self-storage space for the chain. Parham is also the CEO and President of NDS Construction, which is a general contractor specializing in self-storage design and construction. NDS Construction has designed and built over 7 million square feet of self-storage space nationwide.

This webinar is one is a series presented by MiniCo Publishing. Other upcoming webinars in the series include:

• "Above the Roof, Below the Roof: Making Money on Both Sides," a webinar to be presented by Baja Construction Co., Inc., on using solar panels on a self-storage facilities roof to generate additional revenue for the facility, to be presented on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at 1 pm ET/ 12 pm CT/ 11 am MT/ 10 am PT
• "Marketing Strategy vs. Tactics -- a Game-Changing Distinction for Our Industry," a marketing webinar to be presented by Derek Naylor of Storage Marketing Solutions on Wednesday, March 24, at 1 pm ET/ 12 pm CT/ 11 am MT/ 10 am PT

MiniCo Publishing is part of MiniCo, Inc. It publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger,a leading monthly self-storage trade magazine. MiniCo Publishing, which was founded in 1974, also produces Self-Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac,the Self-Storage Development Handbook and the Self-Storage Buyer's Guide. 

02/09/10 -- StorQuest Self Storage is offering La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta and Tujunga Canyon mud-slide victims free self-storage space for two months throughout Los Angeles County to facilitate a quick and easy evacuation process. As mud levels rise throughout the community and local residents are being forced to quickly flee their homes, StorQuest is providing these individuals a safe haven to protect their valuables.

At several points the slides have become so intense, the community has been rudely awakened to thunderous noises coming from the sound of mud sliding off the canyons. "Rocks and boulders have covered the streets, mud has been flooding into homes and burying individual's belongings. Nobody in the community was really prepared for this sort of destruction," states Brianne Llewellyn, Sunland resident.

More than 500 homes have been evacuated as mud and debris flow down the mountain, overflowing basins and flooding the local region. The La Canada Flintridge area witnessed the devastation of 43 homes damaged by the occurrence of mudslides throughout the past week.

The area is expecting heavy rain again this evening, and rivers of mud coming off the mountain. For more relief information or to find a convenient StorQuest Self Storage location in Los Angeles County contact (800) 900-4644 or visit us online at http://www.storquest.com/

About StorQuest Self Storage

StorQuest is the operating brand name of storage facilities developed and operated by The William Warren Group, Inc. StorQuest provides temporary or long-term storage for personal or business needs. The company offers clean and secure units at affordable rates. StorQuest also provides a full line of packing supplies and maintains 10 locations throughout Los Angeles County and 47 locations in the United States. For more information about StorQuest - contact us at (800) 900-4644 or visit http://www.storquest.com/.

Contact:
Michelle Bakva
(800) 900-4644
http://www.storquest.com/ 

PhoneSmart Director Tron Jordheim recently completed a poll on the professional social network LinkedIn to help determine why professional people choose self storage facilities. The poll asked, "If you are using or have used self storage, why did you choose one facility over another?”

517 LinkedIn members responded. Of these, an overwhelming 50% chose their self storage facility because it was conveniently located. 11% chose a facility that was recommended to them by someone else. 12% picked their storage location because they liked the features and amenities. Another 12% picked their self storage facility because that facility was neat and tidy. Only 13% chose their storage unit because it was at the lowest priced facility.

Tron Jordheim, PhoneSmart Director said, "This poll should help calm some fears that price is the only consideration when people are looking for storage storage units. Our sales reps at PhoneSmart talk to a lot of people who seem concerned about price. But after talking to them you find that what they really want is a convenient location or a great value. A great value is not the same as a low price.” The PhoneSmart poll has busted the myth that price is more important to a consumer than location.

Mr. Jordheim continued to say, "This poll should also tell storage owners that lowering prices is not the solution for slower business.The solution for slower business is to have people with improved sales skills talking to potential customers. People with great sales skills can build value from a convenient location, a clean and tidy property, a good list of amenities and a good recommendation. People with weak sales skills can only offer price concessions. Price concessions kill businesses.”

PhoneSmart off-site sales force is a self storage marketing company that offers off-site sales support and sales training services to clients all across North America in English and Spanish. For more information go to http://www.phone-smart.info/.

A-1 Self Storage Proudly Installs Additional 24 Hour Self-Service

INSOMNIAC™ 900 Kiosks!

A-1 Self Storage Installs New INSOMNIAC™ 900 Kiosks by Open Tech Alliance, Inc. at Chula Vista and La Mesa – Spring St. Locations in San Diego.

San Diego, CA – February 1, 2010 – A-1 Self Storage, the premier provider of self storage in San Diego, CA, announced today the installation of new INSOMNIAC™ 900 self-service kiosks open 24/7 at their Chula Vista and La Mesa – Spring St. locations, plus plans to install more kiosks in the coming months.

Brian Caster, President and CEO of A-1 Self Storage explained, "We feel adding the convenience of 24 hour self-kiosks at our facilities is a real competitive advantage. By integrating this new on-site service with our call center and website we are making it very easy for our customers to do business with us. It also helps us rent more units when our competitors are closed.”

These INSOMNIAC™ 900 self-service kiosks by Open Tech Alliance, Inc. enable customers to rent a space, buy a lock or pay their rent at their own convenience, 24 hours a day. In addition, customers are able to speak to a Storage Consultant at A-1 Self Storage's Call Center. For more information, please visit http://www.opentechalliance.com/.

For more information about all A-1 Self Storage kiosk locations, please visit:

24 Hour Rental/Payment Kiosks:

http://www.a1storage.com/we_are_always_open

About A-1 Self Storage:

A-1 Self Storage is one of the leading providers of self storage in San Diego with 17 locations in the greater San Diego area and over 40 locations across California. A-1 is the Self Storage division of the Caster Companies, a third generation family-owned company headquartered in Southern California since 1959. The Caster Companies specializes in acquisitions, development and management of A-1 Self Storage, and other commercial properties in California. Its Real Estate Portfolio includes over 4 million square feet in real estate properties. It is one of California's fastest growing companies.

CONTACTS:

Fran Laporga-Ching

A-1 Self Storage

(619) 287-8873 x 141

press@a1storage.com

http://www.a1storage.com/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 25, 2010

Contact: Christa Van Zant, Marketing Manager

800-528-1056 · Fax 602-308-6368 · cvanzant@minico.com · www.minico.com

MINICO OFFERS SUBSCRIPTION DISCOUNT TO CALIFORNIA SELF STORAGE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

 

PHOENIX, ARIZ. – As part of an agreement with the California Self Storage Association (CSSA), MiniCo Publishing now offers association members a significant discount on subscriptions to digital edition of the company's Mini-Storage Messenger magazine. Regularly priced at $21.95 per year, CSSA members may purchase annual subscriptions to the digital magazine for just $12.95. CSSA members currently receive MiniCo Publishing's Self-Storage Now! magazine as a member benefit.

To purchase a subscription to the digital edition of Mini-Storage Messenger, CSSA members should call MiniCo Publishing at 800-352-4636 and request the discounted rate.

MiniCo Publishing, a division of MiniCo, Inc., publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self-Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Development Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer's Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo, Inc. has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PHONESMART CELEBRATES 600,000 LEADS FOR SELF STORAGE INDUSTRY

January 4, 2010 -- PhoneSmart announces writing their 600,000th lead/reservation. Tearrance "Ted” Chisholm, a PhoneSmart sales representative, has secured the momentous lead. "I feel honored to have taken the 600,000th lead. Sometimes as sales representatives we get so caught up in serving the individual caller without stopping to think about the bigger picture. It can be overwhelming.”

Though a shifty economy has left many businesses with an unsure vision of the future, Dana Shields, Call Center Director, is confident that PhoneSmart’s success will continue. "In the beginning, it took PhoneSmart almost 3 years to hit 100,000 leads. From 500,000 to 600,000, it only took us 10 months! It gives us hope that we can tackle anything the economy throws at us and still come out ahead.”

PhoneSmart, established in December of 2000, specializes in generating rental leads for an international network of self storage companies. For nearly ten years, now, PhoneSmart has been handling overflow inbound calls for StorageMart and over 600 additional self storage facilities. By generating reliable rental leads, PhoneSmart hopes to turn potential business into actual business for itself and its clients.

Looking forward, the bilingual call center employees plan to hold themselves to their central motto: "You don’t spend money with us; you make money with us.”

###

For more information:

Tron Jordheim
PO BOX U
Columbia, Missouri 65202
Ph: 866-309-1715

The longest running online storage directory, USstoragesearch.com, grows online reservation services with well-recognized property management company.

(Omaha, NE) – January 11, 2010 -- USstoragesearch.com announces Watson & Taylor Self Storage Management Company, a long-time member, joins the growing list of companies to upgrade to its new online reservation network, www.USstoragesearch.com. Leading the way with the use of advanced technology, USstoragesearch.com integrates with property management systems to offer real-time self-storage reservations. Consumers will now be able to reserve units online at 48 Watson and Taylor facilities in seven states.

"We're excited to continue our partnership with USstoragesearch.com by adding their online reservations,” said Tracy Taylor, Watson & Taylor President and 2010 Chairman of the National Self Storage Association Board. "We're highly focused on managing our rates and occupancies, especially in these economics times. USstoragesearch.com has the ability to adapt to our Centershift databases and show live inventories, allowing us to compete for customers effectively.”

 

USstoragesearch.com, as a marketing partner of the ISSN Network, was the first to integrate with a variety of self-storage management software platforms including SiteLink, Centershift, DOMICO and others ensuring consumers can shop online for storage units that best fit their needs, seeing real-time availability, prices and specials at members' facilities securely online.

 

"USstoragesearch.com has always set the pace as the leader in the self-storage industry by utilizing cutting edge technology that others in the industry have yet to acquire,” says Michael Kucera, President of USstoragesearch.com.

As the largest online storage directory, USstoragesearch.com represents more than 12,000 self

storage and mobile storage facilities nationwide. Consumers can shop through real-time unit inventory, pricing and specials 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Watson & Taylor Self Storage properties represent close to 3.5 million feet of net rentable square feet of storage space nationwide. Visit USstoragesearch.com at www.USstoragesearch.com.

##

For more information:

 Loretta Carroll 402-393-2991 office/402-871-3710 cell

Sharon Bargas 402-393-2991 office/402-319-2277 cell

Long Beach, CA - December 2, 2010 - The California Self Storage Association is pleased to announce the results of its 2010 election for the Board of Directors, and its 2010 Committee Chairs.

CSSA members elected the following members to our 2010 Board of Directors Slate:

Natolie Ochi - Board Member, SKS Management LLC

Wayne Woolsey - Board Member, KIWI II Construction

Jason Lopez - Board Member, Westport Properties

The above three board members join our current 2010 slate, which includes:

Shelley Geiler - Chairman of the Board, So Cal Self Storage

Peter Ingersoll - Vice Chairman, Safe Harbour Equity

Charles Byerly - Treasurer, Westport Properties

Mark Allec - Secretary, A-American Self Storage

Jim McNamee - Past Chairman, West Coast Self Storage Group

Kelly Gallacher - Board Member, Devon Self Storage

Jim O. Davies - Board Member, Belgravia Capital

Tim Hobin - Board Member, William Warren Group

Carol Krendl, Board Member, SkilCheck Services

Steve Mirabito - Board Member, Storage PRO Inc.

For biography information on our Board Members please visit our website at www.cssaweb.com or call our office toll free at (888) 887-CSSA (2772).

The CSSA nominating committee has appointed the following members to lead our 2010 Committees:

Legislative Committee - Carol Krendl - SkilCheck Services

Nominating Committee - Mark Allec - A-American Self Storage

Northern California Storage Owners Symposium - Steve Mirabito - StoragePRO, Inc.

Storage Owners Summit - Jim O. Davies - Belgravia Capital

Education Program - Jim McNamee - West Coast Self Storage Group

Annual Conference - Tim Hobin, William Warren Group

Marketing Initiatives - Peter Ingersoll - Safe Harbour Equity

Owner Networking Receptions - Wayne Roycroft - Storman Self Storage Software

Membership Outreach - Shelley Geiler - So Cal Self Storage

Vendor Benefit Program - Peter Ingersoll - Safe Harbour Equity

Product Sales - Erin King - California Self Storage Association

About the California Self Storage Association

The California Self Storage Association is a not-for-profit trade association which was founded in 2002. The CSSA is dedicated to providing a unified voice for the Self Storage Industry for the State of California and to enhance the performance and quality of the services our industry has to offer.

California Self Storage Association

Erin King

Executive Director

California Self Storage Association

(562) 304-2864

www.cssaweb.com

SMD Software/SiteLink, leading provider of self-storage (http://www.smdsoftware.com) and portable storage management software, added another industry-first with the release of its Promotions and Discount Module. The new, cutting-edge feature customizes, combines, and tracks specials.

(Vocus) December 9, 2009 -- SMD Software/SiteLink, leading provider of self-storage and portable storage management software, added another industry-first with the release of its Promotions and Discount Module. The new, cutting-edge feature customizes, combines, and tracks specials.

The Promotions and Discount Module analyzes source, volume, and effectiveness of every special. Operators craft specials to better target regions, customer groups, and national accounts. The module handles promos and coupon codes on stores' web sites where prospective tenants spot the same specials that managers use at the store. SiteLink users lower discounts by combining specials on merchandise, rent, and other charges.

Multi-store operators manage all campaigns and offers from the Corporate Control Center.

"Our new Discount and Promotions Module optimizes investment in marketing and advertising, and invariably raises return on every dollar spent,” says Markus Hecker, SiteLink's COO.

About SMD Software:

Established in 1996, SiteLink has emerged as the leader in portable and self-storage management software (http://www.smdsoftware.com) with over 8,000 installations worldwide. Used by over 50% of the Top 100 Operators, SiteLink Web Edition is the leading application for storage operations. SiteLink users enjoy the fastest performance of any software, secure processing, great customer service, and ease of use.

 

Contact SiteLink today for more info at 919.865.0789, ext. 1, or visit smdsoftware.com.

Contact Information

Jim Ferguson

SMD Software

http://www.smdsoftware.com

919.865.0789, ext 0