The Inside Self-Storage World Expo in Washington, D.C., wrapped up on Oct. 8 after four days of amazing seminars, a lively self-storage Q&A, a packed cocktail reception and two days of exhibit-hall action. Nearly 1,000 registered participants from around the globe gathered at the beautiful Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Attendees came from all facets of the industry—owners, investors, managers, builders, brokers and more. The expo also drew people from a number of countries, including China, Australia, South Africa and even Russia. Attendees sought real-world strategies to build or sustain their storage business in today’s difficult economic times.

The expo kicked off with an opening session focused on self-storage marketing, a popular topic at this year’s show. Hosted by Derek Naylor of Storage Marketing Solutions and Mel Holsinger of Professional Self Storage Management, the presentation shared campaigns submitted by self-storage managers and operators to the recent ISS “Best in Self-Storage Marketing” contest.

The three-track concurrent seminars featured hot topics including construction, development, marketing, financing, sales techniques, day-to-day management challenges, add-on profit centers and more.

The two-day exhibit hall boasted nearly 100 exhibitors from all segments of the industry including self-storage developers and builders, brokers, finance and insurance experts, door manufacturers, software vendors, and others.

Look for more information in the coming weeks about the next Inside Self-Storage World Expo, March 1-3, 2010, at the Paris Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas.