When we were contacted about this story, I admit I chuckled at first. Not because I found it humorous, but because it took me a bit off guard. It hadn't occurred to me that a tenant would run this sort of operation out of a self-storage facility, but then--how clever. It amazes me what owners deal with sometimes. You have to be prepared for anything.
Angela Kiper shares her experience with drug-related crime at her facility, and how the situation was handled. There were several elements to consider--both legal and environmental. She also provides a list of warning signs to be alert for, as well as things you can do as owner/manager to prevent crime at your own facility.
This is our show issue. Those of you attending the Inside Self-Storage Expo in Las Vegas will be looking for products and services to boost your business. As a supplement to all of the marvelous options you'll find on the show floor, we've included in this issue a special marketing section, aimed at assisting owners and managers in making the most of their marketing budget. In addition to having the perfect doors and locks and the right management software, it's important that you think about such things as Yellow Pages ads, signage, promotions and publicity.
In addition, we have a full line up of insightful articles: Industry expert Mike McCune shares his insights on the state of real-estate, the effect of overbuilding and the direction of financing. A one-on-one interview with Clark Hotard of Overhead Door Corp. can be found. Finally, learn how to close the deal with prospective tenants, as well as how to use total climate control in your facilities to gain a marketing edge.
As always, we urge you to come visit the Inside Self-Storage booth at the Rio Suite Resort & Casino during the expo. Introduce yourself. Give us your suggestions, opinions and insights. We always welcome feedback from our readers. And don't worry--we're much nicer than that caterpillar.
Best regards,
Teri L. Lanza
Editor
tlanza@vpico.com
