The Self Storage Association of Australasia (SSAA) has released its 2023-2025 Strategic Direction, setting a course for the self storage sector’s peak body for the next two years.

Created by the industry for the industry, the SSAA has proudly supported the self storage industry of Australia and New Zealand for more than 30 years.

SSAA CEO Makala Ffrench Castelli says the 2023-2025 Strategic Direction is set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing industry landscape.

“The 2023-2025 SSAA Strategic Direction is set in a time of increasing economic uncertainty and post-pandemic cultural shifts,” Ms Ffrench Castelli says.

“From inflationary pressures to the changing ways in we live and work, the SSAA will continue to monitor a broad cross-section of external forces to ensure the industry is well placed to address the opportunities and challenges that may arise.”

The Strategic Direction will see the SSAA continue to inspire excellence and engagement across the industry, helping its members to thrive by providing advocacy, education and support.

Advocacy

The SSAA advocates for the industry at large and on behalf of its members. Key priorities between now and 2025 include:

  • Delivering accurate and timely industry research and insights. The SSAA will continue its ongoing investment in the biennial State of the Industry and Industry Snapshot reports plus invest in industry white papers to address key topics.
  • Informing industry stakeholders about the profile and potential of self storage. Self storage plays a critical role in sustainable communities, and the SSAA’s industry positioning strategy will inform councils, planners and consultants about this potential.
  • Tracking sector performance and key industry metrics. The Storage Interactive Platform (SIP) will evolve to deliver a comprehensive, industry-owned interactive data set that enables members to benchmark a range of operating metrics and track key performance indicators.
  • Focusing the SSAA’s advocacy agenda on high impact issues. Alternatives to consumer goods insurance and solutions for broader insurance challenges will continue to be a mainstay of the SSAA’s advocacy work. At the same time, the association will maintain a level of capacity that enables it to focus on other high impact challenges as they arise.

Support

The SSAA supports its members by sharing knowledge, resources and insights. This will continue over the next two years, with a particular focus on:

  • Enhancing industry understanding of self storage operations. The development of an industry-recognised education offering will support SSAA members to train and retain valued staff, while further investment in online training will deliver comprehensive, industry-specific resources.
  • Offering timely and accurate legal and operational support. Annual updates of the self storage agreement suite will continue, in order to keep pace with the changing legal and operating landscape. Building internal capacity to provide legal and operational help desk services for members is also a priority.
  • Embedding good governance practices across the industry. A collection of governance materials and director education offerings will aid risk management across the sector. These resources, which will enable members to plan for and manage critical business events, will support the sustainability of the industry.
  • Helping members adapt to industry innovation. The SSAA will provide information and implementation guidelines for self storage innovations – with an initial focus on facility automation – to help members understand the benefits, risks and opportunities these innovations present.

Engagement

The SSAA works to connect, nurture and develop the self storage industry. Key priorities for engagement from now until 2025 will include:

  • Creating value for members through regular engagement. Tailored, needs-based communications will be the foundation of a refreshed member communications suite.
  • Connecting members and stakeholders to build and maintain industry relationships. The popular SSAA Convention will continue to be an industry-wide event held each summer, while owners and executives will gather at the SSAA Summit every other winter. Local networking will also continue, with the introduction of networks based on specific member interests.
  • Communicating effectively to ensure members are well-informed. Embracing the changing nature of media, the SSAA will expand into new digital mediums, including podcasts, while the highly valuable print magazine will continue to arrive in letterboxes across Australasia.
  • Consulting with members to provide relevant services, resources and advice. The SSAA will continue to regularly survey members to understand their needs, priorities and challenges. The opinions of ‘quiet’ members will be sought out specifically, to ensure their needs are met.

“Ultimately, our strategic direction is intended to ensure the self storage sector remains a thriving, well-informed and standalone asset class,” Ms Ffrench Castelli says.

“It’s about supporting the industry to continue to hold itself to high standards and deliver professional self storage experiences. We’re intent on fostering an industry that celebrates collegiality – without ever losing its independent spirit.”

Learn more here.