Top Five Takeaways From ISS World Expo 2025

The 2025 Inside Self-Storage World Expo in Las Vegas brought together a wide range of professionals working across the self-storage ecosystem, from facility owners and operators to vendors, consultants, and technology providers. Our team at Storage Commander had the opportunity to speak with customers, demo our latest product release (SC Navigator), and attend a variety of sessions to better understand the current state of the market and the challenges facing operators today. 

Here are five key themes from ISS World Expo that consistently surfaced throughout the event.

1. Technology Integration Has Moved from Advantage to Necessity 

Across multiple sessions, including “An Intro to the New World of Self-Storage Technology: People, Processes and Progress”, a common message emerged: self-storage operators are actively seeking ways to modernize and integrate their operations. Our Booth visitors shared that they’re looking for more comprehensive solutions to connect software platforms to services such as marketing, insurance, and payments to have a single point of contact to support end-to-end services. 

Additionally, attendees were focused on how technology can reduce dependency on manual tasks, improve response times to tenant inquiries, and streamline communication. Discussions frequently touched on how artificial intelligence, cloud-based platforms, and data analytics can potentially improve internal processes, enhance customer experiences, and mitigate a growing trend in shrinking margins and rising occupancy rates.

2. Legal Preparedness and Regulatory Risk Are Top-of-Mind 

As facilities operate across an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, legal compliance was a recurring focus area. In sessions like “What’s Driving Self-Storage Lawsuits Today? Know the Risks and How to Avoid Them”, experts provided updated guidance on state-by-state requirements, lien laws, and the risks associated with poor documentation or inconsistent processes. 

Conversations at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo highlighted how operators are re-evaluating lease agreements, auction procedures, and communication protocols with tenants. Several Storage Commander users told us they are actively reviewing their digital records and audit trails, and expressed interest in features that allow for more robust policy enforcement and tenant communication tracking. 

3. Operational Efficiency Remains a Strategic Priority 

Many operators cited rising labor costs, inflation, and uncertainty in rental trends as key reasons they are focused on improving operational efficiency. “Doing More With Less: Optimizing Self-Storage Operation Without Busting Your Budget” presented the need for data-driven insights to maximize revenue while controlling overhead. 

Operators are seeking tools that reduce friction in the rental process, automate repetitive tasks like follow-up communications and rent reminders, and centralize visibility across multiple locations. Interest in remote management and contactless workflows remains high. Storage Commander received strong engagement around features in SC Navigator that support these efforts, including mobile dashboards, automated invoicing, and simplified move-in processes. 

4. Marketing Strategies Must Evolve to Meet Changing Customer Expectations 

Several ISS World Expo sessions addressed the growing need for facilities to modernize their marketing approach to attract a younger generation of renters. For example, “Lit Marketing: Capturing the Minds - and Money - of the Young Self-Storage Consumer” emphasized the importance of brand voice, online reviews, and targeted digital advertising. 

Our Marketing Services team was on site and spoke with many individuals about the challenges of managing marketing performance across multiple channels - from Google Ads to social media to SEO - and noted a pressing need for increased engagement rates with lower customer acquisition costs. Facilities are experimenting with video tours, content marketing, and online reservation systems to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. 

5. Security and Risk Management Require a More Holistic Approach 

Operators expressed a heightened focus on risk, ranging from physical security to cyber threats. Educational sessions on disaster preparedness, insurance claims, and incident tracking highlighted the importance of having the right systems in place before a breach or disruption occurs. 

Security concerns included theft, vandalism, tenant disputes, and system downtime. Operators are increasingly evaluating their surveillance technology, access control systems, and internal protocols for handling emergencies. Booth attendees showed interest in how Storage Commander can support these needs through activity logs, permission-based access, and integration with leading security providers. 

 

Final Thoughts 

The 2025 ISS World Expo made it clear that the self-storage industry is deep into a new phase of modernization, driven by rising customer expectations, cost pressures, and increased operational complexity. For facility operators, adapting to this environment requires more than single-point solutions. It calls for a coordinated technology strategy, continuous learning, and partnerships with vendors that understand the nuances of self-storage operations. 

At Storage Commander, we’re proud to support operators in this transition with scalable tools designed to streamline management, enhance visibility, and reduce manual workload. 

If we missed you at the Inside Self-Storage Expo - or if you'd like to see what’s new with our latest release, SC Navigator - Book a Demo today!