The SSA Spring Trade Show in Orlando marked the 50th anniversary of the Self Storage Association. Between this year’s record-breaking attendance, leadership speeches, and innovative discussions—this year’s show certainly set the stage for what’s next.
Coming off the event-high, our team is reflecting on the key moments and takeaways from SSA Spring 2025.
Leadership and Industry Involvement: The Power of Data
Storable’s CEO, Chuck Gordon, took center stage once again with his panel, “The Power of Data,” which sparked insightful conversations about how operators can harness data to drive better decision-making. The panel featured esteemed industry leaders, including David Allan from Apple Self Storage, Emma Clark from All Aboard Storage, and Scott McLaughlin from Sentry Self Storage.
One of the biggest highlights from Chuck’s panel was that attendees were able to engage in live polling. These questions gave us real-time insights into how operators view data’s role in the industry. Here’s what stood out:
- Data’s greatest impact: The majority of attendees agreed that pricing & revenue management would benefit the most from data, followed by marketing & customer acquisition.
- AI’s rising role: Operators see AI as a game-changer for increasing revenue and solving operational challenges.
- Improving customer experiences: Over half of voters believed online rentals & contactless services have the biggest impact on the customer experience. Surprisingly, AI-powered customer service automation was ranked least effective.
- How organized is your data? 51% said their approach is “a little cluttered, but I know where everything is,” while 41% take a more structured, systematic approach.
These polling answers reveal that while operators recognize the value of data, there’s still work to be done to leverage its full potential.
Product Innovations: Keeping Operators Ahead of the Curve
The Storable booth was bustling with energy, as eager operators explored our latest product innovations. Our team provided hands-on demos and in-depth discussions about how Storable continues to evolve to meet the needs of modern storage businesses.
Key Insights for the Storage Industry: Looking to the Future
Beyond technology, SSA Spring highlighted trends that will shape the storage landscape in 2025:
- Optimism for growth: Despite economic uncertainties, operators remain confident in the industry’s resilience and ability to bounce back.
- AI & automation: While many are still in the learning phase, there’s a growing focus on integrating AI and automation into daily operations.
- Customer experience at the forefront: More than ever, operators are looking for ways to enhance tenant satisfaction with personalization and seamless online experiences.
It’s safe to say—there’s a bright future on the horizon!
As we celebrate SSA’s 50-year legacy, one thing is clear: the industry is evolving, and data is at the heart of that transformation. Storable is proud to be part of these conversations, helping operators turn insights into action.
We can’t wait for the next SSA in the fall—save the date at the Aria in Las Vegas! But first the Storable team will see you at ISS World Expo in Vegas next month. Until then, let’s continue driving the industry forward together.
Want to see how data-driven solutions can transform your self-storage business? Schedule a demo with us today.
