Win A Trip To PhoneSmart's Hawaii UNconference!

The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows has been recognized as one of the greatest resorts in the US…and one of the Greenest. It produces most of its own electricity during daylight hours with solar panels. Look at the Maunalani.com site and you will definitely want to come along.


Please make your room reservations with the Mauna Lani directly by calling 808-367-2323. We have a very special group rate of only $199.00 per night for Ocean View rooms, single or double occupancy. (In 2009, our group rate was $225.00, so we are delivering even a better value than last time!) There is a charge of $75.00 per night, per person, plus applicable taxes, for the third and fourth adult (eighteen years or older) in a guest room.

There is no charge for children, seventeen (17) years or younger, staying in the same room with existing bedding. Rack rate on the Ocean Deluxe View is typically $550.00 to $650.00 per night single or double occupancy. Make sure you say you are with the PhoneSmart group. The Mauna Lani has extended our special discount rate to our group for three days before the event and three days after, so you can spend some extra time with your family or by yourself enjoying The Big Island. The event registration is $795.00. But there is a very special early registration offer.

Register and pay by March 31, 2011 and pay only $699.00 per person.

Register now

Space is limited, so do NOT wait to register. Register early and book your flights early before the registration fees go up and before the air fares go up.

Registration is limited to only 75 participants. 2009 attendees said that the intimacy of the event and the ability to get to know everyone personally were very valuable. So 2011 registration will close at 75. Don’t be left out!

You could win a FREE trip to the PhoneSmart Hawaii Un-conference.

The winner will receive FREE… the entire conference registration and add-ons, five free nights at the Mauna Lani Resort and free airfare for two from the continental US. Stop by the PhoneSmart booth at the next self storage trade show where PhoneSmart is exhibiting and enter the drawing. You just may be coming to this awesome un-conference for FREE. Drawing will take place on or about April 15, 2011. Don’t wait to register. Registered attendees are eligible. Register for the un-conference now and enter the drawing, too.”

American Airlines is offering a special 10% discount!

Take advantage of a 10% discount off of applicable published fares on AA and American Eagle to the PhoneSmart Hawaii Un-Conference 2011, June 07 - 11, 2011 in Kona (KOA) Big Island, Hawaii.

It’s simple! After you have selected your flights under the "Enter Passenger Details" tab, go to the aa.com “Promotion Code" field and enter in the Authorization number 9361DG. This discount is valid for travel June 02 – 16, 2011 to Kona (KOA) Big Island, Hawaii.

You may also call 800-433-1790 to book via the telephone. Please note that there is a Reservations Service Charge for all tickets issued via the phone.

Simply click on www.aa.com to book your flights

Photos From MiniCo's March 12th St. Baldrick's Event

As most of you know, MiniCo held an event March 12th at the Skeptical Chymist in Scottsdale, AZ to benefit the St. Baldrick's Foundation. The Event was a rousing success with over $30,000 being raised and 66 individuals having their heads shaved (including MiniCo's CEO Mike L. Schofield and Vice President of Marketing Dan Sommer.) in solitary with these amazing children. Below are photo's taken at the Event.

And if you're interested in donating or finding out more about the St. Baldrick's Foundation, please visit:
www.st.baldricks.org

MiniCo Webinar to Address the Impact of Interest rates on Self Storage Investing

Interest rates change as the clock ticks. And while interest rates are presently at an all-time low, that may not last. As interest rates rise up and dip down, it’s crucial to have an understanding of what drives these movements. The US Federal Reserve last week kept interest rates at their record low of near 0 percent, rejecting fears of higher inflation. Investors, buyers and owners watch the market carefully and are always open to advice when it comes to insights into the vagaries of rates.

On April 13, 2011, commercial real estate investment expert Peter Ingersoll will host the free webinar “Rent Growth Races Against Time Before Interest Rates Rise” angled at potential investors and business owners in the self storage market. Topics will include the following:


• Highlights of QE2 and why it’s important to monitor this program

• Markets always revert to the mean – what is the average rate for the 10-year treasury?

• How the U.S. treasury market affects commercial property values

• The importance of pricing power to make inflation your friend

• Why insurance companies are your new best friend


Even with pro-democracy protests in the Middle East driving up oil prices, the Fed’s board said its inflation rate over the long term will remain stable. The U.S. central bank said its benchmark federal funds rate would remain at between 0-0.25 per cent. The Fed would also continue a plan to buy up 600 billion dollars in government bonds by the end of June.

Ingersoll is the CEO of Safe Harbour Equity, Inc., the sponsor of the webinar. He is also Vice Chair of the California Self Storage Association and the author of “Real Estate Tsunami Survivor’s Guide.” The webinar will be moderated by MiniCo’s Poppy Behrens. Online registration is required for this free live event.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self storage industry. MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the “Mini-Storage Messenger,” the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include “Self-Storage Now!,” “Mobile Self-Storage Magazine,” “RV & Boat Storage Today,” “Self Storage Canada,” the “Self-Storage Almanac,” the “Self-Storage Construction & Renovation Handbook,” and the “Self Storage Buyer’s Guide.”

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

We Want You Back!

If you're a former subscriber to the Mini-Storage Messenger, you know the true value of our publication as an Owner/Operator/Investor and for some reason or other you've let your subscription expire. We understand that you lead busy lives and it may have slipped your mind to renew your subscription. However, we want you back so you can once again start receiving the Self Storage Industry's #1 publication. And to win you back we're offering you a SUBSTANIAL discount off your new subsciption!

Re-Subscribe for 1 year for $49.95 ($10 off!)

OR


Re-Subscribe for 2 years for $89.90 ($30 off!)


Simply enter the Coupon Code: NEW1 at check out or Mention it to me when you call in.

Celebrating almost 31 years as the original voice of the self storage industry, the Mini-Storage Messenger has become the international trade magazine for self storage operators, owners, developers and investors.
Each monthly issue delivers a valuable mix of storage business news, research data and interviews, as well as reports on various aspects of the development, management, and marketing of profitable self storage facilities, including: investment and finance, location studies, traffic counts, facility development, operations rental & occupancy rates, the law, new product information, case studies and geographic area reports.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Janus International Sponsors MiniCo Webinar on Door Replacement and Facility Renovation

On March 23, 2011, Temple, Ga.-based Janus International Corporation will sponsor a free webinar for self-storage professionals entitled An Owner’s Perspective on Renovation and Door Replacement. City Storage LLC Founder and Managing Partner Glen Nicotra and Richard Lillie, Southeast Region Sales Manager for Janus International, will be the presenters. Topics will include the following:

• Renovation and door replacement can put money in the bank
• Reducing claims, increasing rentals and retaining customers
• Highs and lows of renovation
• Cost-effective door replacement
• Door replacement made easy – even for occupied units

MiniCo Publisher Poppy Behrens will moderate the discussion as part of the Mini‑Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Construction & Renovation Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.
Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

For More Information:

Janus International Corporation – http://www.janusintl.com/
City Storage, LLC. – http://www.city-storage.com/
Mini-Storage Messenger - http://www.ministoragemessenger.com/


CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

MiniCo At The Inside Self Storage World Expo

Have you registered for The Inside Self Storage World Expo in Las Vegas at the Paris Hotel and Casino yet?

Chances are if you’re reading this post you already have, but if you haven’t, this is the largest trade and educational show in the Self Storage industry.

Here’s the scoop from the ISS website:

The Inside Self-Storage World Expo is the industry's leading conference and tradeshow and the premier education event for self-storage facility owners, managers, developers, investors and suppliers. The expo features an extensive program tailored for the storage-industry professional. Attendees can participate in more than 30 seminars, four workshops, and multiple events that allow for peer-to-peer networking and information gathering. With a focus on tools for operational growth, including industry-specific training and technology, the ISS Expo in Las Vegas is the best place to learn about the storage business, whether you work behind the counter or behind the scenes.

The MiniCo team will be there in force along with Mini-Storage Messenger authors M. Anne Ballard and Peter Ingersoll, who will be signing copies of their books The Hat Lady Speaks and the Real Estate Tsunami Survivor’s Guide.So remember to stop by MiniCo’s Exhibitor’s table to say hello while you’re enjoying the conference

A Quick Guide On How To Use Your Digital Publication

So you’ve purchased the digital version of the 2011 Self Storage Almanac or you’ve newly subscribed to the digital Mini-Storage Messenger and you’re asking yourself, now what?

How do I access my content?

Can I download and save a copy of either the magazine or the Almanac to my Documents?

These are questions we encounter every day, multiple times a day here at MiniCo, and I imagine we always will. None of us here have an issue—our customers are our #1 priority—in talking with or assisting our subscribers. But there are those individuals who prefer trying to figure things out on their own, and we respect that, but it still doesn’t mean motivated self starters don’t need a little technical help from time-to-time. So the Messenger has created a video to help those individuals to understand how to better use their digital reader.

And if you’re interested in the Mini-Storage Messengers line of digital publications, please visit our website:
http://www.ministoragemessenger.com/

Free Self Storage Auction Directory is Now Available

An affordable and highly visible advertising method for operators to satisfy lien law advertising requirements, Find Self Storage Auctions is a next generation dynamic online Self Storage Auction listing directory developed by Self Storage industry insiders; meant to be used a la carte, or as a tool for self storage associations to offer as a benefit to members.

State level self storage associations share a common cause in that they are comprised of volunteer board members that devote their spare time to thinking outside the box, ignorant of budgetary constraints that perpetually plague progress. Its with that in mind that they've found a way to offer this to state associations at no cost.

The process of taking a self storage unit to auction requires a tremendous amount of time and financial resources, and almost never results in the recovery of the facility’s investment in either. The auction process is cumbersome enough without advertising limitations. In an information driven world, the key to the Self Storage Auction process is in helping the public find accurate listings.

Lien law modernization is sweeping through state associations, subsidized in part by the national Self Storage Association via a legislative matching funds initiative. With lien law changes comes an opportunity to modernize the entire listing process, and expand upon the boundless value the internet provides. Complimented by a well designed, search engine friendly dynamic database, facilities using FindSelfStorageAuctions.com have the opportunity to maximize their exposure, beyond a typical print classified.

Furthermore, in compliment to the recent increase in public interest, likely due in part to the popularity of the recent storage auction reality shows, we provide resources to maximize search parameters in an effort to reach as many auction attendees as possible who have the ability to search by State, City, Facility, # of Units, Contents of Units, and even Auctioneer.

FindSelfStorageAuctions.com was created in 2009 by Richard Marmor, member of the board of directors of the Arizona Self Storage Association and noted self-storage lien law author, and James Appleton, Technology & Communications Chair of the Arizona Association, and technical expert in website design/development and search engine optimization (SEO).

Four MiniCo Employees Pledge to Go Bald in Support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation

PHOENIX, ARIZ. – Four employees of Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, will shave their heads in solidarity with children affected by cancer at a fundraising event for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to be held March 12, 2011, at the Skeptical Chymist Irish Restaurant and Pub in Scottsdale. Dan Sommer (the event’s co‑organizer), Keith McConnell, Jerry Sollom and Ron Zbiegien are ready to accept the St. Baldrick’s challenge: Be Brave and Shave!

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. St. Baldrick’s funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Since 2000, more than 147,000 volunteers have shaved their heads in solidarity with children with cancer at events all over the world and have raised over $90 million for life-saving research.

The event on March 12th will begin at 6:00 p.m. during which over 30 volunteers will have their heads shaved. Proceeds from a silent auction also will be donated to St. Baldrick’s. Silent auction items donated to date include the following:

• Arizona Diamondbacks – bobblehead signed by Luis Gonzalez and four baseline reserve tickets to any 2011 season game
• Arizona Cardinals – football signed by Daryl Washington
• Phoenix Suns – basketball signed by Goran Dragic
• San Francisco Giants – baseball signed by Aaron Rowand
• Oakland Athletics – baseballs signed by Kevin Kouzmanoff and Dallas Braden
• The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – baseball signed by Howie Kendrick

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

For More Information:
St. Baldrick’s Foundation – http://www.stbaldricks.org/
MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC – http://www.minico.com/
Skeptical Chymist Irish Restaurant & Pub – http://www.skepticalchymist.com/

World-Renowned Self-Storage Marketing Expert Presents Webinar on the Four Closely Guarded Secrets Your Internet Marketing Company Hopes You Never Discover

International self-storage marketing expert Derek Naylor is pulling back the curtain on Internet marketing companies to unveil the top secrets they may be keeping from their clients. On March 9, 2011, Mr. Naylor, President of Storage Marketing Solutions, will present the free webinar “Four Highly Guarded Secrets Your Internet Marketing Company Hopes You Never Discover.” During the presentation, he will provide tips for evaluating online marketing companies to help self-storage operators identify the marketing strategies that may work and those that should be avoided. Topics will include the following:

• Reducing your pay-per-click rate by over 50% with the same results
• Which metrics actually matter and which are misleading
• The free tool that you might be getting charged for
• The sales pitch that should make you question a marketing company’s intentions
• Why Internet marketing is not the only solution

The webinar will be sponsored by Storage Marketing Solutions and moderated by MiniCo Publisher Poppy Behrens as part of the Mini‑Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self-Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today,Self‑Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Construction & Renovation Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.


For More Information:

Storage Marketing Solutions – http://www.storagemarketingsolutions.com/
Mini-Storage Messenger - http://www.ministoragemessenger.com/

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE WEBINAR

Derek M. Naylor is the President of Storage Marketing Solutions (SMS). Over the past seven years, Derek has incrementally increased sales revenue for his clients more than $250 million through innovation and advanced marketing strategies. In 2003, he directed his talents and unique growth strategies exclusively to the self-storage industry and founded SMS. SMS now helps hundreds of operators from coast to coast to increase their occupancy and profits through the company’s unique Outsourced Marketing Director program and other tools. He is a regular contributor to industry magazines and a dynamic speaker at trade events. Derek lives in Pleasant View, Utah, with his wife and two daughters.