SSA Fall 2024 Trade Show Recap: Innovations & Insights in the Industry
The SSA Fall Trade Show is always a highlight in the self-storage industry, and this year, Storable took a front-row seat in shaping discussions and showcasing new innovations. Our team hit the ground running in Vegas with product demonstrations, strategic insights, and open conversations with attendees and customers. Whether it was chatting about cutting-edge innovations or supporting industry leaders, our commitment to driving the storage industry forward led the charge.
Coming off such a high, we want to share our highlights and unforgettable moments from the SSA Fall Trade Show.
Leadership and Industry Involvement: Shaping the Future
Our CEO, Chuck Gordon, continues to be an active force on the SSA Board of Directors.The SSA Board of Directors is comprised of duly-elected industry leaders from all of SSA’s various constituencies including affiliated associations, member companies of all sizes as well as vendor firms.
Chuck hosted a panel, “Driving Demand in Self Storage,” which packed the house with 200+ attendees, eager to hear insights on maintaining positive NOI despite the ebbs and flows in demand. Operators from across the industry—Melissa Stiles (Storage Asset Management), Sarah Little (StorageMart), Norm Shore (StorQuest), and Beau Agnello (Go-Store-It)—all shared their strategic approaches, highlighting that success lies in being more tactical at every stage of the customer funnel. Chuck’s session not only sparked engaging dialogue but also created a valuable space for networking, with many lining up afterward to continue the conversation.
The Storable team also proudly represented the company as ambassadors, with Sales Executive, Alonna Ross, serving on the SSA Young Leader’s Group Board and our sponsorship of both the group and the SSA Women’s Council Networking Event.
Product Innovations: Delivering Value to Operators
The Storable booth was buzzing with excitement as we unveiled our latest innovations to help operators optimize their businesses. One highlight was the introduction of our latest acquisition, Storage Auctions, which adds another layer of functionality and convenience to the Storable ecosystem.
In addition to hands-on booth demos, our product and customer success teams hosted product engagements in the Storable suite. These sessions allowed operators to deep dive into the capabilities of Storable products and have one-on-one discussions about how Storable solutions can continue to elevate their businesses. From our data-driven tenant management tools to optimized tenant insurance and protection, these deep dives reinforced our commitment to providing the resources operators need to succeed in an increasingly competitive market.
Key Insights from Industry Experts: Resilience, Data, and the Future of Storage
The widespread sentiment at the tradeshow was more positive than many had anticipated, with a sense of hope for future growth.. Despite concerns about rate adjustments and lead generation challenges, operators mostly reported positive NOI growth by strategically navigating these hurdles. The takeaway? The industry is proving to be more stable than expected—and smart strategies are helping operators continue to thrive.
Data also emerged as a critical topic. Larger operators are increasingly leveraging advanced data to make informed, strategic decisions, while smaller operators are recognizing the need for high quality reporting tools. This trend emphasizes the growing importance of having modern technology in place to stay competitive— a need that Storable continues to address with our data solutions.
One of the most memorable moments of the trade show was the induction of Anne Ballard into the Self-Storage Hall of Fame. Anne, a beloved Storable customer, gave a heartfelt retirement speech in which she praised our Tenant Insights Report as an invaluable tool for operators. The Storable team will miss her and wish her the absolute best retirement!
In another forward-thinking discussion, Ethan Luloff, Sales Manager, led a roundtable, “Future-Proofing Tenant Insurance: Optimizing Penetration, Coverage, and Revenue” where participants discussed tenant insurance and how to improve coverage while driving revenue. Operators explored how staying modern with tenant insurance offerings help them remain competitive.
While regulations and upcoming political elections were on everyone’s mind, the widespread sentiment was overall positive. Operators also noted an increased focus on enhancing customer service—a reflection of the industry’s move toward retaining tenants and ensuring positive experiences, rather than just cutting costs.
The consensus remains that the self-storage industry is resilient and ready to adapt. At Storable, we’re proud to stand at the forefront of these discussions and provide the tools operators need to thrive. The Storable team remains dedicated to helping the self-storage community succeed—now and in the future.
Schedule a demo with us today and discover how our solutions can address your business’s unique needs and pain points, helping you achieve greater efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
