Benefits and Myths of Kiosks for Self-Storage Businesses the Topic of MiniCo Webinar Sponsored by OpenTech Alliance, Inc.

 

On September 27, 2011, OpenTech Alliance, Inc., will sponsor a free webinar for self-storage professionals entitled The Kiosk Advantage: Self-Storage Operators Unravel Fact from Fiction. OpenTech Alliance President and CEO Robert A. Chiti will be the presenter along with a group of self-storage operators who will share their experiences using self-service kiosks at their facilities. The presentation will provide information about how self-service kiosks actually work and highlight the many enhancements that have been incorporated in response to real-world issues. Mr. Chiti and the panel will take questions at the conclusion of the webinar. Topics will include the following:

• MYTH – Kiosks do not provide personal service
• MYTH – All empty storage units must be left unlocked
• MYTH – Consumers can make payments at the kiosk while in lien status
• MYTH – Using a kiosk means providing 24-hour access to your property

The leading developer of innovative self-storage solutions, OpenTech Alliance, Inc., offers self-storage kiosks, call center services and an online self-storage reservation solution. 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. Additional lines of business include collectibles insurance. MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, is a member of the Aran Insurance Services Group.

For More Information:

OpenTech Alliance, Inc. – www.opentechalliance.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE WEBINAR

Self-Storage Operators Join OpenTech Alliance’s Robert Chiti for MiniCo Webinar to Discuss the Pros and Cons of Self-Service Kiosks

While many people have heard about self-service kiosks in the self-storage industry, most are unfamiliar with how they actually work. On September 27, 2011, Robert A. Chiti, President and CEO of OpenTech Alliance, Inc., will be joined by a group of self-storage operators from around the country to present the free webinar The Kiosk Advantage: Self-Storage Operators Unravel Fact from Fiction. The group of presenters will share their personal experiences and explain how self-service kiosks function at their facilities. The presentation will highlight many kiosk enhancements designed to resolve manager-identified issues and include a Q&A with participants. Topics will include the following:

• MYTH – Kiosks do not provide personal service
• MYTH – All empty storage units must be left unlocked
• MYTH – Consumers can make payments at the kiosk while in lien status
• MYTH – Using a kiosk means providing 24-hour access to your property

OpenTech Alliance, Inc., is the sponsor of the webinar. The leading developer of innovative self-storage solutions, OpenTech Alliance, Inc., offers self-storage kiosks, call center services and an online self-storage reservation solution. 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. Additional lines of business include collectibles insurance. MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, is a member of the Aran Insurance Services Group.

For More Information:

OpenTech Alliance, Inc. – www.opentechalliance.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE WEBINAR

MiniCo Insurance Agency to Offer Self-Storage Industry Program in Canada

PHOENIX, ARIZ. – MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has formed MiniCo Insurance Agency of Canada, Incorporated, to offer specialty insurance programs to the Canadian market beginning with its premier self-storage insurance program. MiniCo will represent Aspen Insurance UK, Ltd., a subsidiary of Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited, and will begin underwriting coverage initially in British Columbia with planned availability throughout the country by the end of the year.

MiniCo President and CEO Mike Schofield commented, “MiniCo’s focus on niche specialty programs brings significant value to the distribution chain, and we look forward to offering new specialty products as we expand throughout Canada. The self-storage market in Canada represents a strategic growth opportunity, and MiniCo is pleased to be able to offer our specialty product to Canadian business owners which can be accessed through their existing broker relationships. Brokers and insureds will benefit from the specialty coverage as well as MiniCo’s over 37 years of experience writing this class of business.”

Jim Henry, Chief Underwriting Officer, added, “MiniCo looks forward to working with agents and brokers to grow their book of self-storage business throughout Canada. We will be contacting agents and brokers with information about availability in specific provinces as approvals are granted.”

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited and its operating subsidiaries have been assigned a rating of “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best and “A2” (Good) by Moody’s Investors Service.

About MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC

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. Additional lines of business include collectibles insurance. MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, is a member of the Aran Insurance Services Group.

For More Information

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC – www.minico.com

MiniCo Insurance Agency of Canada, Incorporated – www.minico.ca

Aran Insurance Services Group – www.aranins.com

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited – www.aspen-re.com

Contact

Dan Sommer, 602-678-3504

Vice President, Publishing, Marketing and Communications

Chief Marketing Officer

dsommer@minico.com

2011 Facility of the Year Awards

Mini-Storage Messenger honors the best in self-storage with its prestigious 24th annual Facility of the Year awards. This is your opportunity to demonstrate how your facility stands out from the competition. Winners will be awarded a trophy as well as a profile in the December 2011 issue of Mini-Storage Messenger.

Enter to be recognized in one of six categories: 

Overall Winner
New Facility Winner
Construction Winner
Conversion Winner
Specialty Storage Winner
International Winner

Entry deadline: September 1, 2011

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

D. C. Taylor Co. Sponsors MiniCo Webinar on Solar-Ready Roofing for Self-Storage Facilities

The green building trend in the self-storage industry continues to grow both for new construction and existing facilities. On September 21, 2011, D. C. Taylor Co. Regional Manager Michael O’Bryant will present the free webinar A Solar-Ready Roof: What it Means and How to Get One for self-storage professionals. Topics will include the following:

• What is a solar-ready roof?
• The importance of evaluating your roof before installing solar
• Benefits of installing solar
• Options for solar-ready roofs

Visit www.ministoragemessenger.com for more information or to register. Online registration is required for this free live event.

About D. C. Taylor Co.

D. C. Taylor Co. has nearly 60 years of experience installing, repairing and maintaining roofs for manufacturing/industrial, food processing, retail/commercial, healthcare, self-storage and government and school facilities and understand how to work with the unique needs of each customer. With strategically located field offices and regional service teams, D. C. Taylor Co. is prepared to perform professional construction and management services in the most demanding of roofing environments.

About MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC

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. Additional lines of business include collectibles insurance. MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, is a member of the Aran Insurance Services Group.

For More Information:

D. C. Taylor Co. – www.dctaylorco.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE WEBINAR

Last Chance To Register For PhoneSmart's Spend Some Time With The Sales Coaches Webinar!

 

The right sales coaching can lead to profitable outcomes for self-storage business operations. PhoneSmart, a nationwide sales support and training company, has helped self-storage businesses realize consistent improvement in conversion rates of up to 20 percent. On August 10, 2011, PhoneSmart’s Director of Operations Tron Jordheim will present the free webinar Spend Some Time With the Sales Coaches for self-storage owners, operators and managers. Mr. Jordheim and his team of professional sales coaches will discuss sales-related topics to include the following:

• Creating the team
• Developing the process
• Crafting the language
• Setting the standards
• Spending the time

PhoneSmart is sponsoring the webinar, which will be moderated by MiniCo Publisher Poppy Behrens as part of the ongoing 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.

MiniCoInsurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-StorageMessenger, 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:

PhoneSmart – www.phone-smart.net

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE WEBINAR

MiniCo Insurance Agency Partners with AXA Art Insurance Corporation to Offer Specialty Collectibles Insurance Program

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has signed an agreement with AXA Art Insurance Corporation to offer a specialty program to insure private collections including collectibles valued up to one million dollars in a home or storage facility. MiniCo will begin underwriting coverage nationwide effective September 1, 2011.

The MiniCo Collectibles Insurance program provides all-risk coverage, on an unscheduled basis, and with no appraisal required at application.

MiniCo President and CEO Mike Schofield commented, “The MiniCo Collectibles Insurance program provides a unique coverage opportunity for private collectors. Our program enables collectors and their insurance agents to avoid the limitations and requirements of insuring valuables through a homeowner policy and offers an option for specialized broad-spectrum coverage tailored to these risks.”

Jim Henry, Chief Underwriting Officer, added, “AXA ArtInsurance Corporation is the gold standard for art insurance all over the world. MiniCo is excited to partner with AXA Art to offer the highest level of coverage for smaller private collectors who will benefit from this expertise.”

AXA Art Insurance Corporation is the only globally operating specialty art and collectibles insurance company offering tailor-made coverage solutions for private and corporate collections, museums, galleries and artists. The company has been assigned a rating of “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best.

About MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC

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. MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, is a member of the Aran Insurance Services Group.

For More Information

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC – www.minico.com

Aran Insurance Services Group – www.aranins.com

AXA Art Insurance Corporation – www.axa-art.com