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Sounds of Storage Podcast: Matthew Van Horn and Jim Ross
For anyone but gurus, the fast pace of technology in any industry can be overwhelming. For example, seemingly everyone in the business/tech world last year was talking about "cloud computing," but what does it mean, and what does it have to do with self-storage?

StorageMart Celebrates National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day With Promotional Videos
Jan. 30 was National Bubble Wrap Appreciation day, and self-storage operator StorageMart celebrated with a unique "eggsperiment" and some pure and simple fun, all of which it captured on video for the company YouTube channel. Newly added videos include "Favorite Ways to Pop," "Egg Drop" and "Egg Drop 2: Eggbert's Revenge."

New York's Storage Deluxe Donates Coats, Cash to Non-Profit
New York City-area self-storage operator Storage Deluxe donated 732 coats and $3,660 to the non-profit New York Cares on Jan. 17, helping the organization get closer to its goal of collecting 100,000 coats for low-income men, women and children. The operator solicited coat donations at each of its 10 locations throughout Brooklyn, the Bronx and

Self-Storage Manager Plays Pivotal Role in Michigan Murder Trial
The resident manager of Allsafe Mini Storage in Lansing, Mich., is a key witness in a murder trial in which a man is accused of killing a retired detective and his wife Sept. 22, then accessed a self-storage unit to store items stolen from the victim’s home.

Self-Storage Marketing: What We Can Learn From Super Bowl Ads
The Super Bowl is as famous for its creative and fun ads as it is the actual game. And while self-storage operators don’t have multi-million-dollar marketing budgets like these advertisers, they do have one thing in common with these big-name companies—the chance to be super creative. Yes, it can be tough to find new and interesting ways to

South Dakota Bill Proposes Sales Tax on Self-Storage; New Jersey Weighs 1 Percent Tax Reduction
State legislatures continue to look at the self-storage industry as a source of tax revenue, with South Dakota the latest to propose the imposition of sales tax on unit rentals. Meanwhile, lawmakers in New Jersey have introduced a bill that would the lower sales tax by 1 percent on services that include self-storage rentals.

Self-Storage Sales Skills to Be Taught During ISS Vegas Expo 'Mini Clinic'
As self-storage operators continue to grapple with concessions and fight for every rental dollar, honing their sales skills has become paramount. Self-storage industry expert Brad North will show self-storage newcomers and seasoned operators how to close more sales in a special two-hour seminar at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo, March 14-16,

Florida Self Storage Association Names New Officers
The Florida Self Storage Association (FSSA) recently elected new officers and board members. As Jan. 1, the following officers have assumed their roles.

Buying or Building Self-Storage: How to Maximize Your Investment Through Design, Phasing and Market Analysis
Whether buying or building a self-storage project, the goal is the same—to maximize the investment. Using facts and data about the intended market will aid potential self-storage owners in making the right choices when it comes to proper site design and unit mix.

AAAA Mini Storage in Washington State Named Small Business of the Year by Chamber of Commerce
AAAA Mini Storage in Tukwila, Wash., was recently honored with an award from the local chamber of commerce.

Arizona Self Storage Association to Host 2012 Conference and Tradeshow, May 7-9
The Arizona Self Storage Association (AZSSA) will host its 14th annual conference and tradeshow, May 7-9, at the Phoenix Marriott Mesa, in Mesa, Ariz. This year’s conference theme is “Back to Basics,” focusing on business fundamentals for self-storage owners, operators and managers. Topics to be covered will include: