SSAM Conference Location
The Conference is happening at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, MI
Hotel Link
Google Maps Link
SSAM 2021 Conference Schedule
Tuesday, October 19th
- 5:00 – 7:00p: Development Workshop: Building, Buying and Converting in Michigan
Michigan has seen a rise in self-storage demand and owners/operators are working to meet the need. If you’re considering your options as an owner, operator, developer and/or investor, join us to hear the pros/cons of all types of building. We will discuss conversions, building ground-up, expanding with portables or traditional build, and buying existing self-storage sites.
Moderator: Peter Spickenagel – Citizen Storage Panelist: Adam Pogoda – Pogoda Companies Panelist: Theresa Gallas – Janus International
- 7:00 – 9:00p: Cocktail Reception
Wednesday, October 20th
- 8:00a: Registration and Continental Breakfast
- 8:30a: Welcome Bill Sheffer, Executive Director, SSAM
- 8:45a: MI Operators Share Best Practices in Navigating Business During the Era of Covid-19
Hear from local and national experts based in Michigan as they deep-dive into owning and managing their self-storage businesses in our current Covid-19 landscape. These operators share the tools they’ve incorporated or enhanced in order to meet the needs of their tenants and future tenants while navigating a contact-less environment.
Moderator: Jeff Steffani – U-Haul, Panelist: Chad Lundberg – The Storage Group, Panelist: Jim Abraham – Abe’s Storage, Panelist: Jordan DeGraaf – Rockford Self Storage
- 9:45a: Break with Exhibitors
- 10:00a: The Self-Storage Google My Business Playbook
Can Google My Business (GMB) drive more rentals? There's the right way to set up Google My Business and lots of wrong ways. Today, we'll go over how to set up GMB to maximize exposure, generate leads, and get more customers. Come learn how GMB can truly maximize your exposure and hit your optimal occupancy. Plus, we'll go over the key differences between Local SEO, Organic SEO, and paid ads. Tommy Nguyen – StoragePug
- 11:30a: Lunch/Award Ceremony/2021 Annual Meeting Chad Lundberg - SSAM President
- 1:00p: Today's Technology Must-Haves in Owning and Operating Self Storage Businesses
Technology, as we know, is constantly evolving with products and services in our industry moving at a quick pace as well. Join Peter Spickenagel of Citizen Storage and Alonna Ross of StorageAuctions.com to hear what tasks can be streamlined as part of your operations and management procedures, freeing up your team to drive more revenue and add to your bottom line. The self-storage industry has seen rapid growth in operations and revenue-enhancing technology and these panelists are some of the “best of the best”. Moderator: Theresa Gallas – Janus International Panelist: Alonna Ross – StorageAuctions.com Panelist: Peter Spickenagel – Citizen Storage Panelist: Tommy Nguyen - StoragePug
- 2:00p: Roundtable Discussions
We will have multiple topics of interest to owners and operators. You will have the opportunity to participate in 3 different round table discussions that benefit you most during this session.
- 3:15p: Break with Exhibitors
- 3:30p: Legal Symposium
Take this opportunity to hear from the attorney representing the national Self Storage Association. Joe will cover some of the hot-button topics that affect our industry. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions that are important to you and your facility. Joe Doherty, General Counsel – Self Storage Association
- 5:00p: Closing Remarks Bill Sheffer, Executive Director, SSAM
