

The Learning Event of the Year – Online Event Only
March 9 - March 10

The Learning Event of the Year
Date: March 9 – 10, 2021
Where: Online Event Only – Australian Eastern Daylight Saving (AEDT)
Event overview
It is our pleasure to invite you to the “Learning Event of the Year” coming to a web browser near you!
The Learning Event of the Year is an ONLINE EVENT ONLY and brings leading speakers and experts in accelerating the self storage industry together with Australia’s and New Zealand’s leaders of today and tomorrow, giving us the knowledge and insight we need to compete — and win — in an ever-changing world.
Over the course of 2 days, you will hear from experts in the self storage industry, revealing innovative methods to market your facility, adopt new software and technology systems to help with the smooth running of your facility. For those who are building or expanding their facilities, there is a wide range of design and construction companies that can provide expert advice and practical solutions.
Advantages of #LEOTY?
There are more advantages for Members of attending the online Learning Event of the Year than ever before:
- Learn from the comfort of your own home or office
- Flexibility to plan your day around the sessions.
- Access at your fingertips to experts on a range of topics.
- Accessibility for members juggling work/family life and for those who are in remote or rural areas.
- No limits to the number of attendees at any session.
- Save on travel & accommodation costs
Meet The Speakers
Our speakers are experts in their field across a range of industries, from online marketing to self storage building designs.

Craig James

Ashley Fell

Linda Sharkey

Tony Raunic

Darryl King

Kevin McGuiness

Stephen Boxall

Holly Taylor

Jes Johansen – Storefriendly CEO

Matt Hill, Storage King

Duncan Clarke, Storman

Jim Mullin

Warren Lieberman

Andrew Klein

Chuck Gordon

Keith Edwards

Guy Wilson

Michael Dogger

Makala Ffrench Castelli

Rebecca Smith

Jacqui Scott
What to expect
The Learning Event of the Year gives you the opportunity to attend educational sessions, workshops, virtual self storage facility tours, a virtual trade exhibition area, and more.
Event Program
The program is subject to change.
All sessions will be recorded and made available in the members portal after the event to all registered attendees
Monday 8 March 2021– Coffee, Chat & Connect |
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm Ever tried to log into an online event and couldn’t? The video or sound didn’t work? Or just unable to submit your questions? We’ve got it sorted…! In readiness for the Online Learning Event of the Year, between 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm AEDT, the event technical team will be on standby to answer all your questions and ensure you are event ready. It is essential to check that you can access the online system without any technical glitches before the event. During this 1-hour online interactive session you can explore the virtual trade area and schedule meetings with exhibitors. In addition, you will hear from Susan Phillips, CEO who will take you through all things #LEOTY |
Tuesday 9 March 2021 |
10:00 am Introductions – Andrew Klein |
10:10 am - Session 1 Topic - Leading, innovating and thriving amidst transformative times Format - Recorded presentation/live Q&A Speaker - Ashley Fell Moderator - Andrew Klein Description - When times of crises are forced upon us, how do we respond, adapt and lead for the better? In this session, Ashley Fell will explore the megatrends transforming Australia, discuss the key implications of these changes and how the storage industry, through collaboration, innovation and adaptation, can thrive in these times of change. |
10:40 am – Session 2 Topic - Innovation - Managing your customers digital expectations Format - Studio interview / live Q&A Speaker - Guy Wilson & Keith Edwards Moderator - Susan Phillips Description - Global companies such as Apple, Uber & eBay are training your customers to expect an extremely smooth & efficient digital experience. If you are not investing time and effort into making your customer interactions quicker & easier, you are not meeting your customers’ digital expectations. Listen to how Fort Knox Self Storage and All Secure Self Storage have managed to meet their customers’ expectations yet maintain a personal approach. |
11:10 am - COFFEE BREAK |
11:20 am – Session 3 Topic - State of the Industry 2020: Practical insights and opportunities for your business Format - Recorded presentation / live Q&A Speaker - Makala Ffrench Castelli Moderator - Andrew Klein Description - Join Makala Ffrench Castelli as she journeys through the research from State of the Industry 2020, uncovering practical insights for you to consider in the context of your own business. Taking her cues from the metrics and measures highlighted throughout the report, there will be opportunities to explore for operators and suppliers alike. |
11:50 am - Session 4 Topic - One simple tool to increase your self storage sales conversions Format - Recorded presentation / live Q&A Speaker - Jacqui Scott Moderator - Andrew Klein Description - In this session Jacqui will guide you through a high impact way to open any conversation with a potential client on the phone, email, or face to face. Using this tool will give you control of the sale, make them trust you quickly and let them know you are ALL about them and that you know what you are doing! This has increased conversions not just in the self storage space but in hundreds of other industries. At the end you will have the chance to ask Jacqui questions so you can hit the ground running when you get back to work! |
12:20 pm - Session 5 Topic - Pricing Pioneers: exploring real-world opportunities in revenue management. Format - Live Presentation / Q&A Speaker - Warren Lieberman / Jim Mullin Moderator - Andrew Klein Description - Join Dr Warren Lieberman and Jim Mullin as they discuss three key areas of revenue management for operators of every size, including common misunderstandings that get in the way of maximizing profits. All the way from California, Warren and Jim will be sharing their decades of self-storage revenue management expertise, having worked with a range of operators in the USA and here in Australasia implementing proven revenue management systems. They’ll explain the practical analytics and approaches they use to help their clients make profitable decisions. |
12:50 pm – Virtual Facility Tour with Steel Storage / LUNCH BREAK |
1:15 pm - Video Presentation Topic - SSAA Member Benefits Format - Pre - Recorded Video |
1:20 pm - Session 6 Topic - Economy 2020 – Our most challenging year? Format - Live Presentation / Q&A Speaker - Craig James Moderator - Andrew Klein Description - 2020 was a year like no other. The economies of every country around the globe experienced significant negative growth. Hear from CommSec Chief Economist, Craig James as he discusses the particular challenges that were faced in Australia and New Zealand and how we fared on a global scale. |
1:50 pm - Session 7 Topic - Launching R6SMI: The Storage Marketing Indices Format - Recorded presentation/live Q&A Speaker - Michael Dogger & Makala Ffrench Castelli Moderator - Andrew Klein Description - Hear from Michael Dogger and Makala Ffrench Castelli as they launch the R6SMI - Australasia’s first storage marketing index designed to monitor digital marketing trends across the industry. Explore metrics you should be measuring to benchmark your marketing and help you compete online. In addition to R6SMI, they will be sharing practical insights to help you understand the success of your digital marketing efforts. |
2:20 pm - Session 8 Topic - Self Storage of Tomorrow Format - Live Presentation / Q&A Speaker - Jes Johansen Description - Let us take you on a journey to Singapore and meet the GObots at StorefriendlyGo and see how they help to transport customer’s storage cabinets into safe, no-man zone areas where they are safely locked away. Then explore the specifically tailored storage solutions they have developed for business customers which allow users to store and work. |
03:00PM - CLOSE OF DAY |
Wednesday 10 March 2021 |
10:00 am Introductions – Andrew Klein |
10:10 am - Session 1 Topic - From Dorm Room to Board Room, Chuck Gordon's unique view on Storage’s past, present and future. Format – Pre-Recorded / live Q&A Speaker - Chuck Gordon Moderator - Andrew Klein Description - From founding the marketplace SpareFoot out of his dorm room over a decade ago to now operating the storage technology leader Storable, Chuck Gordon has a perspective on the industry like none other. Join him as he shares his unique take on the past, present, and future of the industry. Whether a large operator or one just getting started, there will be valuable insight for everyone. |
10:40 am – Session 2 Topic - The Power of Story Telling Format - Recorded presentation/live Q&A Speaker - Ashley Fell Moderator - Andrew Klein Description - In an era of message saturation and digital disruption, it can be difficult to cut through the noise and capture attention. In this session, Ashley Fell will show how, even in our world of screens, social media and ever-emerging technology, it is the timeless power of storytelling, harnessing the unmatched visual platform that is the human mind, that best informs, instructs, involves, and inspires people. |
11:10 am - COFFEE BREAK |
11:20 am – Session 3 Topic - The Power of Good Communication Format - Live Presentation / Q&A Speaker - Rebecca Smith Moderator - Susan Phillips Description - How the way you engage and communicate with your customers has the capacity to influence your reputation and with it the potential to take your storage facility from unremarkable to exceptional. |
11:50 am – Session 4 Topic - AFP and the Self Storage Industry, working together to keep us safe Format - Studio Interview / live Q&A Speaker - Jarad Heath & Daniel Rodriguez Moderator - Andrew Klein Description - We are joined by the Jarad Heath where he reminds us that criminals do use self storage and what signs to be on the lookout for. How should suspicious behaviour be reported? What are your privacy obligations? Fellow AFP Officer Daniel Rodriguez from the Cybercrime Division will alert us to the most recent cybercrime activities and what you can do to prevent being caught us in the web and potentially being scammed. |
12:20 pm – Session 5 Topic - Legal Q&A Format - Studio Interview / live Q&A Speaker - Darryl King & Tony Raunic Moderator - Susan Phillips Description - Join Tony Raunic (Hunt & Hunt) and Darryl King (Jackson Russell), our legal experts as they discuss contactless move-ins, storer ID, electronic locks and more during this informative roundtable discussion. |
12:50 pm – Virtual Facility Tour with STORCO / LUNCH BREAK |
1:15 pm - Video Presentation Topic - New Logo Launch Format - Pre - Recorded Video |
1:20 pm – Session 6 Topic - Tomorrow’s Smart Access Control – Today Format - Panel Discussion / Live Q&A Speaker - Duncan Clarke, Matt Hill, Steve Boxall & Kevin McGuinness Description - Join our panellists as they discuss the planning, construction and operations of a new storage facility and how the latest in smart access control systems has been integrated seamlessly into everyday site management. |
1:40 pm – Session 7 Topic - Looking for an easy way to cut your OpEx? It's time to embrace energy management Format - Live Studio Presentation Speaker - Holly Taylor Description - Australia's energy system is transforming, creating risks and opportunities for businesses. Embracing energy management helps businesses manage this transition, enabling them to lower their energy bills, boost productivity, improve health and comfort of staff, and cut carbon emissions. This session will explore how storage facilities can do just that, drastically cutting their energy costs. |
2:00 pm – Session 8 Topic - Housing Industry 2021 & Beyond Format - Live Presentation / Q&A Speaker - Craig James Description - Will 2021 prove to be our year of recovery? Craig James, Chief Economist from CommSec will share his forecasts on the future and the reasons why we can look ahead with confidence. |
2:30 pm – Session 9 Topic – What’s Next? Format – Live Studio Presentation Speaker - Linda Sharkey Description - Following the record year that was, Linda Sharkey will talk us through what we can expect to see unfold in 2021 across the industry. |
03:00PM - CLOSE OF DAY |
Virtual Tradeshow
Exhibiting at the SSAA Virtual Trade area allows you to engage with our delegates online
Meet the people that need to meet you
Exhibiting as a solution provider at the #LEOTY virtual trade show gives you access to all attendees. Our attendees are key decision-makers that are motivated and interested in the products and services that will best suit their business model and its goals
Meet and Greet
Exhibiting at the #LEOTY is a great way to tell the industry that your company is the real deal with the capacity to meet their business requirements. And for those that already know and love you, it’s the perfect time to meet your clients virtually!
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
The old saying is never truer…Exhibitions are a great opportunity to see what new solutions are being offered by the industry and by your competitors, so you can stay at the top of your game
What last years attendees said
SSAA Awards For
Excellence.
The Self Storage Association of Australasia (SSAA) Industry Awards pay tribute to high achievers and leaders, promote success stories and motivate others to become high achievers. The awards have become the peak recognition for those working in the self storage industry and highlight the commitment this industry has made to improving the excellent levels of service offered and the very real successes resulting from hard work and innovation.
Please note that all entries must be submitted by Friday, 29th May 2020. So, don’t delay and get your entry in now.
Award Categories
Facility of the Year (Less than 150 units)
Sponsored by Southwell Lifts & Hoists
Facility of the Year (Between 150 & 500 units)
Sponsored by Midland Insurance
Best Expansion/Upgrade
Sponsored by Highway Frontage
Facility of the Year (More than 500 units)
Sponsored by Visy Boxes & More
Innovation / Business Initiative / Sustainability
Sponsored by Lock Distributors
Community Engagement
Sponsored by Steel Storage
Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Storman
Service Member of the Year
Sponsored by Self Storage Association of Australasia
Tickets & Pricing
The following Registration is valid until 1st March 2021
Individual Registration
Full Delegate – 2 Day Pass
- 2-day #LEOTY log in
- All Sessions
- Online Facility Tours
- Virtual Tradeshow
- Self Storage Show Box
$220
Group Registration – 5 & More
Group Booking- 2 Day Pass
- 2-day #LEOTY log in
- Online Facility Tours
- Virtual Tradeshow
- Online Networking Event
- Self Storage Show Box