In this edition of “What’s Up, SSA?” host Erin Lightfoot speaks with SSA staff to shed light on a variety of topics curated specifically for our members.

SSA's EVP & Chief Legal Officer, Joe Doherty, dives into a recently passed law in California and how operators can comply. He and Erin also discuss lame duck governors and how they can influence industry legislation. If you want to get even more in depth on California self storage industry legislation, make sure to register for SSA's special edition California Legislative Update live webinar happening on May 12. The webinar is free to attend; link to register is below.

Erin also chats with SSA's Director of Meetings & Vendor Support, Carol Franklin. She and Carol cover how to ensure you don't miss the notifications when registration opens for exhibitors for our spring and fall conferences, as well as a new way to exhibit that we are launching at Fall Conference in September. Carol also gives some tips for vendor success at our shows. NOTE: Since this conversation was recorded, all traditional booths and tabletop display spaces are now SOLD OUT. 

We close the episode with a conversation with Julia Bankerd, SSA's Director of Membership. Erin and Julia discuss new valuable educational content coming down the pipeline for our members and how to save money on Fall Conference Registration. 

Show Links:

Fall Conference Information + Registration:

https://www.selfstorage.org/Events-Education/Events/National-Fall-Conference

California Legislative Update Live Webinar on May 12 Registration:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1917764481593/WN__INTH71eTvmD3vhwP_EXvQ?fbclid=IwY2xjawRYjodleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE4N2dLTzJVYkIyTkFiTjN5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlgUJuxooHOHc12gfZvmrprQSTF25-yvvQ03eETHhVPqSrO_rAEDkP7Rc-x-_aem_p4cFCP-3olU32zowlOUGXQ#/registration

Member Support Email:

[email protected] 

Host:

Erin Lightfoot, SSA Director of Events & Education 

Guests:

Joe Doherty, SSA EVP & Chief Legal Officer

Carol Franklin, SSA Director of Meetings & Vendor Support

Julia Bankerd, SSA Director of Membership 

Executive Producer:

Sarah Kautzman, SSA Digital Content & Communications Manager 

Music:

Licensed Adobe Stock Music 

Discover more member resources or become a member at ⁠selfstorage.org⁠.

In the premiere episode of “What’s Up, SSA?” we hear directly from the staff of the Self Storage Association while they host the national SSA Spring Conference & Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas in March of 2026. Host Erin Lightfoot, SSA’s Director of Events & Education, procures the inside scoop on:

• How surveillance pricing bills are affecting self storage operators and what the SSA is doing to protect the self storage industry
• How the SSA keeps educational topics fresh
• How sharing best practices moves the whole industry forward, and why it’s so important to “keep the kimono open” so to speak
• Planning SSA’s Fall Conference & Trade Show in Las Vegas (Psst…another something BIG is coming…)
• Where to easily engage with SSA staff and other SSA members while at conferences
• How SSA’s Young Leaders Group (YLG) is setting the tone during a generational shift in our industry
• Exhibitor best practices and how to maximize your time at conference from a vendor perspective

Host:

Erin Lightfoot, SSA Director of Events & Education

Guests:

Ginny Stengel, SSA Sr. VP of Events & Education

Joe Doherty, SSA EVP & Chief Legal Officer

Julie LaRose, SSA Sr. VP of Membership & States

Brynn Lee, Xercor Insurance Director of Marketing & Communications  / YLG Board Member

Cydney L’Hoste, Elevate Structures Regional Director of Business Development / SSA Vendor Member & Exhibitor

Executive Producer:

Sarah Kautzman, SSA Marketing & Communications Deptartment

Music:

Licensed Adobe Stock Music

Discover more member resources or become a member at selfstorage.org.

You think you know your Self Storage Association...but do you really know what's up with the SSA? When we're not hosting the highest caliber national self storage industry events, the team at the SSA is hard at work protecting the industry through advocacy, curating the latest research and data, supporting regional and state events, and fulfilling our duty as the only not for profit self storage trade association in America. But we have a feeling you may not have known all that. And that's why we needed a podcast.

On What's Up SSA, you'll hear directly from our team to get the inside scoop on industry legislation efforts, how to maximize your SSA membership benefits for your bottom line, and where to find the education and events that will connect you with the people and resources you need to grow your business. What's Up with the SSA? You'll have to listen to find out. Look for What's Up, SSA? with your host Erin Lightfoot coming soon to Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.