2012 SSAA Convention Program

Download a copy of the registration brochure by clicking here

Below is the program for the 2012 SSAA Convention

Note that this program is being finalsied and is subject to change

 

Tuesday August 7

8:30

Specialist Workshops -

Concurrent Sessions – Choose ONE only


Do it legal and do it right
Learn from Simone Hill, the ultimate expert in self storage law, about all the changes to the legal framework in 2012. This session provides an in-depth breakdown of the new MAP, recent changes to all three self storage agreements plus the new legislation including the Personal Property Securities Act. Delivered in easy to understand terminology, you will become equipped with fundamental legal knowledge essential for any self storage manager.

Matching sales to customers buying styles
People are diverse, they respond to things differently... are you changing your sales strategy to suit your customers? Learn how to use tools such as the DISC profile to identify the differences in your customers and then apply selling strategies that will work more effectively on them. Sales is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Increase your sales by creating a range of selling approaches. Essential for anyone who wants to sell more storage or ancillary products.

Selling self storage on the web
Google Adwords, Search Engine Optimisation, Social Networking, Facebook, Mobile websites, iPhone apps, online ordering…. online marketing is becoming an increasingly complicated but also essential medium for any self storage business. If you just don’t know where to start, or you are not sure if your current strategy is really working then this session is for you. Learn how you can position your business effectively in a range of digital mediums, and importantly which ones are more likely to work for your business. Even if you use a third party for all your digital marketing, this session will help you understand more and maximise sales for your business.

Simple operational tricks to improve your business

No matter how good your marketing is, it’s how your managers perform in the centre that will convert your enquiries into sales. Learn the simple techniques that will make your self storage business stand out from the rest. Make your staff a point of difference from your competition, improve the efficiencies of your office and manage your customers to reduce bad debts and sell ups by adopting these simple, yet often overlooked management techniques.

12:30

Lunch for Workshop Attendees

1:00

Repeat Do it legal do it right Workshop 

1:30

Facility Tour

 

5:00

Special General Meeting

 

6:00

Welcome Event - Arthouse Hotel

 
     
 

Wednesday August 8

8:30

Welcome

 

8:40

Building Success from Adversity: How to turn the Negative into Positive

Trisha Silvers (Broadbridge)

Shortly after Trisha and Troy Broadbridge were married, Troy tragically died on his honeymoon when the couple were caught in the 2004 Boxing Day Asian tsunami. “Something that Troy and I always lived by - is that no matter what happens, you have got to keep going. Troy always believed that you could turn a negative into a positive,” Trisha says. An inspirational and emotional story about one person’s recovery after being part of a very public and tragic natural disaster - and now you have the chance to hear it first hand. Trisha has a very powerful message about overcoming life’s adversities and the power of healing and now Trisha wants to be known for the positives in her life. A truly moving and unforgettable presentation.

9:40

Making the most of social media to enhance your reputation

Greg Gillies

What role does social media have for self storage? This session explores this question. You will learn how to manage your reputation online, use web content to your advantage and publicise your brand within the marketplace to give you a competitive edge! What is the world saying about you that could impact your business? Google+, Google customer reviews, Twitter to Facebook pages: your storage customers are learning about your business and forming an opinion via your online reputation. It is essential to learn how to manage this resource, convert negative perceptions to positive and build a reliable online brand for your business over the internet.

10:40

Morning Tea

 

11:20

Legal Masterclass: Self storage law changes and best practice

Simone Hill and some industry operators from Aust and NZ

Learn from the ultimate experts in self storage law about what has changed and how to avoid the common pitfalls that could lead to legal strife. This session provides an in-depth breakdown of the new MAP, recent changes to all three self storage agreements plus the new legislation including the PPS. Delivered in easy to understand terminology, you will become equipped with fundamental legal knowledge essential for any self storage manager. You don’t have to be a legal expert to learn from the experts in the field!

12:20

Lunch & Trade Show

 

2:00

Investment Metrics of Self Storage

How to make the best self storage investment possible? Does management matter? A close look in to the drivers and metrics of self storage investment. Understand the pitfalls, assumptions and common mistakes. How does a facility’s size, occupancy, pricing, discounting, operating expenses and so on alter your acquisition decision making? What do lenders look at? . In this session you will hear a detailed analysis from financiers, investors and owners on why self storage is a good investment and what motivates people to invest in the industry.

Your Family in the Business

This session details the challenges of family owned (and operated) storage business and ways to overcome them. The best in family business will educate you on the methods you can employ to create your own enduring family business success story. Here you will learn how to make the most of the energy of the next generation and harness the wisdom of the founders. How to handle the management transition? What are the common practices for ensuring smooth ownership handover? All this and more, in a must-attend session for anyone involved in a family run self storage business.

3:00

Afternoon Tea

 

3:30

Self Storage Managers Masterclass: Debtors, Discounting and Diversification

Hear from our panel of leading self storage managers on how they overcome the daily challenges of managing a self storage business. A broad panel, with a wealth of information, they will provide insight into problem solving across a range of topics. Anyone can sell self storage at the lowest price, but these managers have maximised profitability with skilful pricing and debt management practices. They also put effort to appealing to and attracting the right sort of customers. This is a masterclass not to be missed!

Motivate! Stimulate! Educate! Inspiring your staff to new heights!

In this session you will develop strategies to engage your staff to become part of the success of your business! Learn developmental, motivational and reward techniques that are easy to implement and see your staff productivity, morale and attitude achieve new peaks. Your staff are all individuals and in this session you will learn to distinguish differences in your staff, from Gen Y’s to Baby Boomers, in order to achieve the best possible rewards and recognition and pave the way for enthusiastic and productive staff.

4:30

Mixing it up! Using your site for more than just Storage

Explore the opportunities of mixed use development with self storage. Car washes, advertising signage, telco towers, cafes, retail stores and even a McDonalds are all co- located with Self Storage businesses in Australasia. This session will cover how you can increase your profitability by creating a mixed-use site. Hear from industry experts with a track record in this area. The possibilities really are endless .

The Science of Marketing to Women for increased Profits

It’s a documented fact…! Women love to shop. And as such, women control the majority of purchasing decisions in households across the world, either directly or through influence. Surprisingly, few self storage businesses target women directly. Could this be the unexplored marketing edge your business needs to drive it forward past it’s competitors? In this session you will learn to adapt your marketing techniques to access the real decision makers in the households of your potential customers and open up a new world of sales opportunities.

6:30

Dinner with Industry Leaders

 
     
 

Thursday August 9

8:30

Self Storage Owners Guide: Legal Essentials for owning a self storage Business

This session will deal with how owners of self storage need to consider the legal implications about their decisions, above and beyond the day to day management of their business. This detailed session will explore topics such as due diligence when acquiring businesses, risk management on the types of storage offered, employee fraud, managing family and employee units and other aspects that should be in every owner’s handbook. Never before heard at an SSAA convention and indispensable for owners and senior managers

Beating the Mistakes when Starting a Self Storage business

Starting a self storage business is not as easy as it looks. In this session you will hear about some of the chief mistakes leading operators made and the steps you can take to avoid them. You will develop a checklist from this detailed session on essential start up fundamentals such as design, marketing, fill up strategies, developing a site and acquiring a site. This is vital for anyone new to the industry or thinking of expanding into a new site.

9:30

The Global Economic Impact on Self Storage in Aust & NZ

Learn about global economic trends and what this means in relation to consumer confidence. Discover if the current economic instability will become the new ‘norm’? Learn how much influence Europe and the USA really have on Australia and New Zealand. Decide if we can rely on China and the emerging economies to shelter us. Hear from renowned economic experts on all this and it’s impact on the self storage industry.

Self Storage across the Globe: Focus Asia

Our self storage neighbours in Asia are embarking on an exciting journey into the newest self storage market in the world! As a seasoned industry, we have an abundance of knowledge to learn from an emerging marketplace which breathes a new perspective on our tried and tested methods of operation. You will learn from some of the leading Asian operators about how self storage is different in Asia and what challenges they have needed to overcome. Is self storage really the same world over? Come along for the ride and decide for yourself!

10:30

Morning Tea

 

11:00

Lessons to Learn from the USA

Mike Scanlon

The Self Storage market in the Northern Hemisphere is enduring ongoing challenges with the declining global economy.  Hear from the head of the US Self Storage Association about what has led some operators in this market to excel, what they did differently while others were faltering.  Also hear how online marketing is changing the US storage market, and what do they really think about “Storage Wars”.  A wealth of information from across the globe awaits you with practical tips and methods to help you weather the economic storm.

12:00

Gaining Success Through Inspiration

Matt Church

Businesses that succeed, no matter what, have leaders and teams that are inspired by what they do and what their work stands for. It’s this phenomenal quality that sets them apart from the rest. Matt will show you how culture, employee engagement and delivering results are all built on the foundation of an inspired organisation. He will show you how it all begins with you. You will discover how to be both inspired and inspiring where you work, live or play. Join those who amp up, make a difference and do great things. This ability to be lit up and light up others is more science than art. You can learn it - It becomes a habit - A choice... Your business can become the kind of environment where people get all this and more.

1:00

Close and Preview of 2013

 

1:15

Lunch & Trade Show

 

2:45

Round Tables

 

4:00

Free Time

 

6:30

Awards Dinner