2020 has been a wild year, but Gabfocus has been a huge highlight! This one was a little different. Instead of having our speakers focus on one topic, we brought in as many experts as we could to share what they've learned this year and some good news from the industry.
Featured Speakers: Stephanie Tharpe, Jim Mooney, Denise Bowley, & Scott Zucker
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen
Category: Marketing & Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: December 10, 2020
Duration: 1:06:47
Good Marketing is a key ingredient of any successful self storage facility.
How are new customers searching for self storage? What are they looking for from the facilities they consider? And, most importantly, what do you, as an operator, need to be doing to convince them you're the right choice?
In this extensive eBook Guide, we cover 7 major categories of marketing, from digital to physical, from your website to Google. Whether you're brand new to the industry or you're a seasoned pro, this eBook is chock full of important self storage marketing information, guidelines, and best practices.
Our amazing hosts, Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff, have been guiding us through Gabfocus Sessions all year, so we thought it's time we hear from them! We brought in special guest hosts, Chad Lundberg and Alonna Ross, to turn the tables and make Tommy and Melissa share their expertise on Marketing, Operations, and all things storage.
Featured Speakers: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen
Moderators: Alonna Ross & Chad Lundberg
Category: Marketing & Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: November 19, 2020
Duration: 1:08:59
Technology is always changing. And, if we've learned anything, it's that it's better to be ahead of the trends than behind them. So, what's happening now? what's on the horizon? Join us as we discuss the latest and greatest tech and tools self storage facilities are using to keep their units rented, their customers happy, and their operations running smoothly.
Featured Speakers: Phil Murphy
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: November 5, 2020
Duration: 1:00:01
So, you're a new self storage owner. Now what? Lucky for you, there are plenty of resources to help! Hear from storage veterans what problems to expect and how to handle them like a pro.
Featured Speakers: Denise Bowley & Jane Sauls
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: October 22, 2020
Duration: 1:05:58
Knowing what to charge is one of the core decisions a facility has to make. How do you find the sweet spot? More and more facilities are trying out value-based pricing. In this Session, we dig deeper into the challenges around pricing, how value pricing works, and how it can be implemented into your facility.
Featured Speakers: Warren Lieberman & Jim Mooney
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: October 8th, 2020
Duration: 1:05:58
Whether you’re a new owner or you’ve had your facility for years, keeping track of your digital assets is key.
Nothing is worse than spending time finding photos or having to recreate designs you already paid for. Going through this checklist is a great way to make sure your digital assets are right where they need to be!
Since laws and legal best practices are constantly shifting, we're getting an update from our storage legal experts. Where do things stand? Are there any COVID-related updates storage owners or facilities need to know about? Are there any legal changes that have happened in the last few months that affect the storage industry? Join us for an update!
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Joe Doherty
Category: Legal
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: September 24th, 2020
Duration: 1:03:50
This Session, we hold our first Open Q&A - a full hour of attendee questions, discussion, and surprise guest experts. We cover everything from referral programs to avoiding auctions, from self storage associations to third part management. Check it out to hear what your self storage colleagues are thinking about!
Featured Speakers: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen
Category: Marketing
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: September 10th, 2020
Duration: 1:09:49
In this session, Pete Whittingslow and Alonna Ross from StorageAuctions.com break down the ins and outs of switching your auctions from in-person to online, dealing with lien sales amidst COVID-19, and best practices for getting your units sold online.
Moderators: Melissa Huff & Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Alonna Ross & Pete Whittingslow
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: August 27th, 2020
Duration: 1:09:12
In this session, Stephanie Tharpe and Sue Haviland discuss how your management team is the front line of every facility. They tackle topics like manager training, evaluating performance, and how to create avenues of growth and motivation for a healthy, prospering storage facility.
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Stephanie Tharpe and Sue Haviland
Category: Self Storage
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: August 6th, 2020
Duration: 1:05:12
We’ve all heard the saying “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This is especially true for modern marketing websites, Google My Business Listings, and social media.
Learn how photos and videos can support your marketing efforts and drive more rentals!
In this session, Bob Vamvas and Tommy Pug break down how to stay ahead of competition and the keys to differentiate yourself from the facility down the road. Panelists also discuss value-based pricing, important metrics to track sales, and how to keep your managers motivated.
Moderators: Melissa Huff
Featured Speakers: Bob Vamvas and Tommy Pug
Category: Self Storage
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: July 24, 2020
Duration: 1:05:12
There are so many tools and resources out there to choose from!
That's why we asked self storage experts for their favorites.
From survey software to SEO dashboards, these tools and resources cover the spectrum, and we hope they're useful to you and your team.
In this session, Cindy Ashby and Melissa Huff break down the fundamentals that every self storage manager should know. Panelists also discuss roles and responsibilities managers should possess, tenant relations, employee growth, and best practices to take ownership and set obtainable goals.
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Cindy Ashby and Melissa Huff
Category: Self Storage
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: July 16, 2020
Duration: 1:12:07
In this session, our panelists break down their favorite self storage tools they use for budgeting, training their managers, customer surveys, social media tools, competitor insights, call centers, customer text messaging, online visibility, and more! Whether you are a manager of a facility or opening one for the first time, Denise and Jess offer tools you can use to take your facility to the next level.
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff
Featured Speakers: Denise Bowley and Jess Casto
Category: Self Storage
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: June 25, 2020
Duration: 1:12:42
As a manager, your qualities as a business leader and storage expert are what make or break your facility.
You’re making decisions across a range of topics from marketing to sales to HR to maintenance. So, how do you do your best work and how do you get better at it?
We've gathered our Top 10 Podcasts and Books to help self storage managers take their storage expertise and business knowledge to the next level.
In this Session, John and Stacey break down the economic shift in the 2008/2009 financial crisis versus the current global health crisis. They discuss the current bidding landscape for self storage investors and why it’s still a great time to buy, as well as looking into self storage trends across the map.
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen and Melissa Huff
Featured Speakers: John Chang and Stacey Gorman
Category: Real Estate
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: June 18, 2020
Duration: 1:03:15
Our legal experts break down how to navigate the CARES Act, PPP funding, evictions, lien sales, and employee liabilities as an operator during COVID-19. Panelists share best practices for understanding each state's legal restrictions and regulations dealing with tenants as well as the benefits of e-signature for rental agreements.
Moderators: Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Scott Zucker and Melissa Huff
Category: Legal
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: June 4, 2020
Duration: 1:16:12
What is your True Demand at your facilities? This session dives into all facets of your self-storage facility’s demand, an essential component for any facility owner and manager to increasing profits and valuation of your current facility in any economic environment.
Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Phil Murphy, Eric Thordsen, Paul Darden
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: May 28, 2020
Duration: 1:03:23
What are the major expenses of running a facility? How do you know what parts of your business to adjust? How do you best monitor your revenue? Check out this Gabfocus Session to hear how self storage experts and operators keep track of their bottom lines.
Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Peter Spickenagel, Jim Mooney, James Appleton, Jim Ferguson, Denise Bowley, Scott Worden, Bob Vamvas
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: May 14, 2020
Duration: 1:12:05
What kind of impression do you leave on your customers? What’s it like renting from you? What makes them stay and what makes them leave? Check out this Gabfocus Session to hear how other self storage owners and operators focus on their customers.
Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Jim Mooney, Sue Haviland, Jess Casto, Phil Murphy
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: May 7, 2020
Duration: 1:33:00
What are best practices to convert leads into paying customers? How do you keep track? What are the best tools? Check out this Gabfocus Session to hear how other self storage owners and experts are keeping their facilities full.
Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Stephanie Tharpe, Chad Lundberg, Scott Worden, Holly Fiorello
Category: Marketing & Technology
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: April 30, 2020
Duration: 1:20:28
What are cost-effective ways to advertise online, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic? What tools are available to get more reviews? Should I use social media? Our panelists dive into the world of Google and share best practices for facilities large and small.
Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Jennifer Perkins, Chad Lundberg, Jess Casto, Christina Alvino
Category: Marketing
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: April 23, 2020
Duration: 1:26:06
Are you offering No Contract Rentals? What about online payments? Come see what tools and integrations are out there to boost your efficiency and revenue while maintaining the safety of your team and customers.
Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Stephanie Tharpe, Jim Ferguson, Jane Sauls, Phil Murphy, Scott Worden, Bob Copper
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: April 16, 2020
Duration: 1:16:01
Moderators: Melissa Huff and Tommy Nguyen
Featured Speakers: Stephanie Tharpe, Sue Haviland, Cindy Ashby, Jim Ross, Denise Bowley, Ben Hendricks, Jason Lee, Jim Mooney
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: April 9, 2020
Duration: 1:12:03
Meet your hosts, panelists, and emcee. Get ready for an awesome time.
You can relive the entire, all-day event. Watch from anywhere at any time.
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 8:54
Tips to hire and train good people and the benefit of hiring right the 1st time!
Pros: Jim Mooney Jr and Bob Cooper
Peer: Stephanie Tharpe
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 31:08
Pros: Cindy Ashby, Jim Ross, and Denise Bowley
Peers: Ben Hendricks and Jason Lee
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 29:16
Pros: Pete Whittingslow and Alonna Ross
Peers: Stephanie Tharpe and Bob Vamvas
Category: Marketing and Technology
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 31:10
Self Storage Legal Expert, Jeff Greenberger, discusses topics such as photo ids, chip readers for self storage, and online auctions. Special guest Damon Emerson (Storable.com) joins to share his experience with tenant insurance and protection plans.
Pros: Jeffrey Greenberger
Peers: Stephanie Tharpe
Category: Legal
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 32:07
Pros: Scott Worden, Peter Spickenagel, James Appleton, Jim Ferguson
Peers: Jim Mooney
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 29:27
Pros: Tommy Nguyen and Christina Alvino
Peers: Jennifer Perkins, Chad Lundberg, and Jess Casto
Category: Marketing and Technology
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 31:07
Pros: Tommy Nguyen, Scott Worden, Holly Fiorello
Peers: Chad Lundberg, Matt Clark
Category: Marketing and Technology
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 28:33
Pros: Jim Mooney and Cindy Ashby
Peers: Jess Casto and Phil Murphy
Category: Operations
Focus: Owners and Managers
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 29:48
Pros: Lisa Maloney
Peers: Bob Copper
Category: Operations and Development
Focus: Owners
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 32:43
Pros: Cory Sylvester, Anne Williams
Peers: John Lindsey
Category: Operations and Development
Focus: Owners
Aired: March 17, 2020
Duration: 30:28
