March 23, 2026
Episode Summary
Modern Storage® are heading to the ISS World Expo in Las Vegas and break down what the event is, why it matters to the self storage industry, and what they plan to cover while they are there. Listeners get a preview of the interviews, networking, and expo floor content coming from the trip. If you are attending ISS this year, this episode is your invitation to connect with the show in person.
ISS World Expo is a major event in the self storage industry and worth understanding if you work in the space
The Modern Storage® Unpacked team will be on the ground capturing interviews and behind-the-scenes content from the expo floor
Attendees heading to ISS are encouraged to reach out and meet Modern Storage® in person
In this episode of Modern Storage® Unpacked, Modern Storage® announce they are heading to Las Vegas for the ISS World Expo, one of the most well-known and widely attended conferences in the self storage industry. Before they pack their bags, they sit down to give listeners a thorough preview of what the expo is, who it is designed for, and why it continues to draw operators, investors, developers, vendors, and industry professionals from across the country year after year. The Inside Self-Storage World Expo, commonly referred to as ISS, is the premier trade show and conference dedicated entirely to the self storage industry. It brings together thousands of attendees who come to learn from educational sessions, explore the latest products and technologies on the expo floor, and connect with peers and potential partners. For anyone working in self storage, whether they are running a single facility or managing a national portfolio, ISS represents one of the best opportunities of the year to stay current with where the industry is heading. Modern Storage® discusses what draws them to the event and why they felt it was important to bring the Modern Storage® Unpacked audience along for the experience. They cover the kinds of conversations that happen at ISS that you simply cannot replicate through a webinar or industry report, including candid discussions with operators about what is working, face-to-face time with technology vendors pushing innovation in facility management and customer experience, and the broader sense of community that comes from being in a room full of people who understand the business of self storage. A significant part of the episode focuses on what Modern Storage® have planned while they are in Las Vegas. They intend to conduct interviews with notable figures on the expo floor, capturing perspectives from both established industry veterans and emerging voices in the space. These behind-the-scenes conversations are designed to give listeners access to insights and opinions that go beyond what gets covered in formal presentations or press releases. The episode also speaks directly to the value of networking at an event like ISS. In an industry where relationships drive referrals, acquisitions, and partnerships, showing up in person carries real weight. Modern Storage® reflect on how in-person events like the ISS World Expo continue to matter even in an era of remote work and digital communication, and they encourage listeners who are planning to attend to reach out so they can connect while they are all in the same city. For self storage professionals who have never attended ISS or who are considering going for the first time, this episode serves as an honest and practical introduction to the event. For longtime attendees, it offers a fresh perspective from a podcast team that approaches the industry with curiosity and a commitment to clear, useful conversation. Either way, listeners will come away with a better understanding of why the ISS World Expo holds such a prominent place on the calendar for serious self storage professionals.
Common questions about the topics covered in this episode.
ISS World Expo, short for Inside Self-Storage World Expo, is one of the largest annual trade conferences in the self storage industry. It brings together facility owners, operators, investors, vendors, and management professionals for education sessions, an expo hall, and networking events. For anyone working in or investing in self storage, it offers a concentrated opportunity to learn about industry trends and connect with key players. Most attendees find the combination of vendor access and peer networking alone justifies the trip.
ISS World Expo typically includes a large vendor expo floor, educational workshops and keynotes, and structured networking opportunities. The expo hall showcases products and services across technology, construction, management software, security, and marketing. Educational sessions cover topics ranging from facility operations and revenue management to investment strategy and development. It is structured so attendees can customize their experience based on whether they are operators, investors, or vendors.
For facility owners, ISS World Expo is one of the most practical industry events available because of the direct access to vendors and operators who have already solved problems you might be facing. The expo floor lets you evaluate software, security systems, and operational tools side by side rather than relying on sales calls. The educational sessions often address real operational challenges like pricing strategy, staffing, and technology adoption. Many owners leave with vendor relationships and peer connections that have a direct impact on how they run their facilities.
ISS World Expo is genuinely useful for real estate investors, not just day-to-day operators. The conference includes sessions focused on acquisitions, development, market analysis, and investment performance, and the networking environment puts investors in the same room as operators, developers, and capital sources. If you are evaluating self storage as an asset class or looking to grow an existing portfolio, the conference gives you access to market intelligence and relationships that are harder to build remotely. Many investors attend specifically to get a ground-level read on where the industry is heading.
ISS World Expo is held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, making it accessible from most major markets with direct flights. The event typically takes place in the spring, though exact dates vary by year, so checking the Inside Self-Storage website for the current year's schedule is the most reliable way to confirm timing. Las Vegas as a venue is part of why the conference draws strong attendance, since the city infrastructure supports large trade events well. Registration details, hotel room blocks, and session schedules are all available through the official ISS event page.
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