Opening Session
 Listen to a message from Mark Russell
Watch a Mark Russell video
SSA kicks off the Presidential Election year with the world’s favorite political pundit.
America's Foremost Political Satirist
"Star Spangled Satire: Comedy, Music, Bribery and Conspiracy" The unquestioned master of musical political satire for more than two decades, Mark Russell targets the biggest,
most up-to-date political stories in the news. The piano-playing satirist blends brilliantly funny lyrics set to
familiar tunes to provide one of the most entertaining experiences in America. Best known for his live TV specials,
Russell also writes a nationally syndicated column, has recorded numerous CDs, authored a book, and appears
frequently as a guest commentator on news programs.
With his trademark piano in tow, Russell skewers official pomposity and spotlights the utterly outrageous, wielding
his wit as deftly as a surgeon wields a scalpel. Where does the noted political satirist get his material? From the
news. "Some days," he says, "the jokes jump off the pages of the daily newspaper and write themselves!” His answer to the frequently asked
question, "Do you have many writers?" "Oh yes. I have 535 writers. 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House of Representatives."
This promises to be a great start to SSA’s Orlando Convention. Join us for an unforgettable musical parody of the day’s headlines, as the
nation’s foremost political satirist proves that fact is indeed funnier than fiction.
Keynote Session
"An Historic Opportunity for Self Storage: Is Going Green Really That Important?"
We are at the crossroads of the most significant crisis of modern times. Two profound, life-changing events are converging to create
this crisis – the warming of the earth’s atmosphere by burning fossil fuels, and the rapid depletion of global petroleum and natural
gas reserves. As these events intensify over the coming years, they will dramatically change how we live and build and how we relate
to the natural world.
Our keynote talk by architect Edward Mazria will discuss the science behind these events, their projected impacts, and the
historic role the Self Storage Industry must play in addressing them. There is a “silver bullet” for solving this crisis, and Mazria
will discuss the specific steps that storage owners, operators, and developers must take if we are to help avert the worst effects
of the global warming crisis.
The Foundation Forum
 A live customer focus group on the top consumer trends for the Self Storage industry.
Consumer Trend Tracker, Author, and Trends Expert, NBC's Today Show
“A Live Self Storage Customer Focus Group: The Top Consumer Trends for the Industry”
In a unique presentation that will change the way you do business, trend expert Phil Lempert will open the door
on the future, and show where the opportunities lie for serious business growth. Lempert links growth to key
trends in business and demographics. As part of this program, Lempert will include up-to-the minute consumer
attitudinal research specific to self storage from his nationwide consumer panel. This dynamic and enlightening
presentation is focused on delivering implementation guidelines.
Lempert will show you how to:
- Become a trend spotter – recognize signs that precede full-blown trends in your industry
- Understand how changing demographics/psychographics will affect your business
- Determine what’s on the minds of consumers now – and what they’ll be thinking, doing and wanting from you in the future
- Interpret the results of the custom consumer survey he has designed for SSA
- Respond to these changes to assure continued business growth
Phil Lempert is the most visible and respected expert in his field. He is an author, syndicated columnist, talk show host for Sirius Satellite
Radio and WOR Radio Network, and food trends editor for NBC’s Today. He is also the founder and editor of two industry newsletters,
XtremeRetail23 and Facts, Figures & the Future. He is the creator of SupermarketGuru.com, an online trend watcher for the food, health,
and beauty products industries. Lempert’s books include Being the Shopper, Healthy Wealthy & Wise, Phil Lempert’s Supermarket Shopping &
Value Guide, Top Ten Trends for Baby Boomers, and Phil’s Picks: The Guide to Supermarket Products.
Closing Session
"What Women Want: The Impact of Women as Self Storage Customers"
Women make 80% of all buying decisions. They control $7 trillion in purchasing power, and by 2010, they’ll control more
than $13 trillion in private wealth…in America. You can argue for weeks about whether men or women make better drivers,
cooks or business leaders, but when it comes to renting self storage, the statistics speak for themselves: when deciding on a
storage location, women consistently outnumber men.
Currently, women rent nearly 60% of the storage units available in the U.S. This breaks down to a female customer base of 60%
as short-term renters, 56% as long-term renters, and almost 70% students. Does your facility appeal to this strong market segment?
With a combined level of over 75 years of experience in the self storage industry, our panel knows what women want. Their
facilities have the female consumer in mind in all aspects of their operations. They have succeeded in rethinking everything about
how they do business with today’s most important customers. At this closing session, you’ll come away with innovative ideas,
proven techniques, and ways to track your results to attract more women…a very loyal, and sometimes untapped market segment.
Registration Info
Participate in the Convention and Exposition rated #1 by industry
professionals. Get registration information here!
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