Joining the Self Storage Association is something that many self-storage managers wonder about. There are many benefits to joining the association, as well as a few drawbacks. Today, we will review them so you can make an informed decision of your own.
The first thing that comes to mind is, will my supervisor approve the expense? It comes down to a cost-benefit analysis. Although membership does have its privileges, it also needs to provide value. Before approaching your supervisor, know the value it will bring to your organization and your daily activities. Will you learn a new skill set? will you gain customers via networking? who will be at the conventions and meetings, and what will they be speaking about? These are all things that your supervisor will want to know before deciding.
Benefits of State Associations
Advocacy – The SSA is a registered lobbying entity that goes before the U.S. Congress and all federal departments and agencies representing the self-storage industry across all 50 states. The state associations are the biggest advocate for the self-storage industry. Their priority is advocating for code amendments and removing inefficiencies in existing policies that don’t serve the industry.
Training – The SSA initiated an SSA Online University that offers online education and monthly webcasts free to SSA members. Members have the opportunity to learn self-storage-specific key topics and receive their SSA Certified Self Storage Manager Certification.
Networking Opportunities – Membership allows you to connect with thousands of members nationwide. The SSA holds a semi-annual conference and trade show. You get a glimpse at the latest techniques, strategies, and technology that can improve your facility and grow your business. In addition to networking, managers get to know the different vendors who can help them provide value to their customers.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of why you should join the SSA, and if you’re still not convinced, let’s take a different approach. During the COVID 19 Pandemic, when the world was shut down and filled with uncertainty, the SSA provided valuable information on how to deal with the way businesses changed. For example, when state policy changed, which it did rapidly during the pandemic, the SSA updated its members consistently. They looked at the laws within each state and created a safe way to handle things such as delinquencies and other matters that required personal attention. They adapted to quarantine and pandemic life as an entity by holding their networking conferences on zoom.
Self-storage facilities benefit from having their managers join their State Association. This membership keeps your facility at the top of the industry. Managers can fall into a rut by doing the same tasks day in and day out. By attending the State Association meetings, you’ll hear innovative ways of doing things you can apply to your daily tasks that may yield better results than your current methods. The question is not can you afford to join your State Association, but rather, can you afford not to?
At The Tymac Group, we build state-of-the-art facilities where we meet all your self-storage needs. We understand the importance of creating a facility that meets your needs and is up to the highest standards expected. Visit us at The Tymac Group to find out more.