Self Storage Association
The Self Storage Association (SSA) is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade association, founded in 1975 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, serving as the official trade body for the U.S. and international self-storage industry through membership, advocacy, education, certification, events, publications, and legal resources.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersAlexandria, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Self Storage Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Self Storage Association
- Legal name
- Self Storage Association, Inc.
- Website
- https://selfstorage.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Self Storage Association (SSA) is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade association, founded in 1975 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, serving as the official trade body for the U.S. and international self-storage industry through membership, advocacy, education, certification, events, publications, and legal resources.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Self Storage Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industry Trade Association Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Standard/Non-Climate Self-Storage (HSAKAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Business & Commercial Self-Storage (Inventory/Records) (HSAKAGAD), Specialty Storage (Wine, Art, Document Vaults) (HSAKAGAF)
Keywords
Where Self Storage Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alexandria
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Self Storage Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to benefits including industry news, education, networking, advocacy, and member-only resources
- Events & Conferences: Revenue from National Fall and Spring Conferences, Executive Ski Workshop, Valuation & Acquisition Course, and State Association Events including trade shows
- Publications & Products: Sales of industry publications, books, data reports, and products through the online store including the SSA Demand Study
- Advertising & Sponsorships: Revenue from website advertising, SSA Magazine advertising, state advertising packages, and event sponsorships at various tiers (Ambassador, Partner, Patron, Event)
- Certifications: Certified Self Storage Manager (CSSM) certification and other professional development credentials
- Online Services: Self Storage Legal Network subscription, ODE*SSA reports, and premium member-only content and tools
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Quarterly | Rectangle Ad - Single State |
| Other | Quarterly | Rectangle Ad Package - 3 States |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Annual Banner Ad - 1 State |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Annual Banner Ad Plus - 4 States |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels12 records
Self Storage Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Self Storage Association (SSA) is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade association that provides industry advocacy, education, certification, research, legal resources, events, and publications to self-storage facility owners, operators, managers, and suppliers in the United States and internationally. Its core offerings include the CSSM professional certification, Self Storage Legal Network, national and state conferences, SSA Magazine, Online University, and industry market research.
Product overview
The Self Storage Association (SSA) is a not-for-profit trade organization formed in 1975 serving as the official trade organization and voice of the U.S. and international self storage industry. SSA offers a portfolio of membership services, educational programs, certification, industry publications, research data, legal resources, and events. The core product portfolio includes the Self Storage Legal Network (telephone legal information service), Online Store (publications and reports), Public Library (webinars), Research & Data (market reports), SSA Magazine (industry publication), and the Certified Self Storage Manager (CSSM) Certification. Educational offerings include Online University, National Spring and Fall Conferences, Valuation & Acquisition Course, Executive Ski Workshop, and State Association Events. Membership benefits include Vendor Directory, Facility Locator, SSA Women's Council, Diversity & Inclusion Council, Young Leaders Group, and Large Operators Council. SSA also operates the SSA Foundation with scholarship and Hall of Fame programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SSA Foundation: SSA's charitable foundation providing scholarships and recognizing industry achievements through the Hall of Fame
- SSA Magazine
- What's Up SSA
- Certified Self Storage Manager (CSSM)
- SSA Online University
- SSA Women's Council
- Diversity & Inclusion Council
- Young Leaders Group
- Large Operators Council
- Self Storage Legal Network
- SSA Foundation Scholarship
- SSAF Hall of Fame
Products and services
- Self Storage Legal Network Legal information subscription providing telephone legal consultation and resources for self storage operators on industry-specific legal matters.
- Online Store E-commerce store selling digital and print publications, brochures, plaques, and reports including Demand Estimator Reports for the self storage industry.
- Public Library Webinar and educational content library for self storage industry professionals.
- Research & Data Market reports, industry data, and research publications including the SSA Demand Study for the self storage industry.
- Facility Manager Aptitude e-Test Online assessment tool used to evaluate candidates for facility manager roles.
- Online University Webinar and online course platform for professional development across the self storage industry.
- Certified Self Storage Manager (CSSM) Certification Industry-recognized professional certification program for self storage managers.
- National Fall Conference & Trade Show Annual flagship industry conference and trade show featuring education sessions, networking, and exhibitor hall.
- National Spring Conference Annual spring industry conference featuring education and networking opportunities.
- Valuation & Acquisition Course Professional education course covering self storage facility valuation and acquisition analysis.
- Executive Ski Workshop Networking event for industry executives combining professional development with a recreational format.
- SSA Magazine Official monthly industry publication covering news, trends, and features for self storage professionals.
- State Association Events Regional conferences and trade shows including IN KY OH Conference, Mid-Atlantic Conference, Mountain West Conference, Upper Midwest Conference, and state-level webinars.
- Vendor Directory Searchable directory of vetted vendors and service providers for self storage operators.
- Facility Locator Online directory tool helping consumers find self storage facilities.
Companies that use Self Storage Association
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Self Storage Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Self Storage Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Public StoragecorePublic Storage is a major sponsor of SSA and appears on the SSA website as an advertising partner. They advertise their third-party management services through SSA's website advertising program.
- CubeSmart ManagementcoreCubeSmart Management is listed as a partner spotlight and advertiser on SSA's website, providing all-inclusive third-party management services for self-storage facilities nationwide.
- StorQuest Self StoragecoreStorQuest is featured as a partner spotlight offering private operator advantage and professional facility management services, advertising on SSA's website.
- Charity StoragecoreCharity Storage is a national charity designed for and by the self storage industry, partnering with facilities to raise funds for local and national charities through donation drop-off points.
- SSA State AssociationscoreSSA manages state associations including IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, MT, ND, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, UT, VA, VT. These chartered and managed state associations provide localized representation and services.
- SSA FoundationcoreSSA Foundation is the charitable arm of SSA, providing scholarships, Hall of Fame recognition, and donation programs for the self storage industry.
- SSA Women's CouncilcoreAn SSA member group focused on supporting women in the self storage industry through networking and professional development.
- Large Operators CouncilcoreSSA member council for large self storage operators providing specialized resources and networking for major industry players.
- Young Leaders GroupcoreSSA member group for emerging leaders in the self storage industry, providing mentorship and career development resources.
- Diversity & Inclusion CouncilcoreSSA member council promoting diversity and inclusion within the self storage industry.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Self Storage Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Apartment Association: Trade association for the apartment rental industry offering advocacy, education, events, publications, and certifications — nearly identical operating model to SSA but serving the multifamily vertical instead of self-storage.
- NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association): Trade association for commercial real estate developers, investors, and owners with advocacy, conferences, publications, and research — directly comparable membership/trade association structure across the broader real estate space SSA's members operate in.
- BOMA International (Building Owners and Managers Association): Trade association for commercial real estate building owners and managers offering advocacy, education, events, designations (e.g., RPA, BOMA 360), and publications — a peer operating model for property-operator members.
- Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM): International trade association for real estate management professionals, offering certifications (CPM, ARM), education, advocacy, and publications — closely comparable professional-certification and member-services model.
- ICSC (Innovating Commerce Serving Communities): Trade association for the retail real estate industry, running large conferences (RECon), providing advocacy, research, education, and member services — directly analogous events-and-advocacy model in an adjacent property vertical.
- CCIM Institute: Institute for commercial real estate professionals offering CCIM designation, education, advocacy, networking, and conferences — directly comparable professional-development and credentialing model.
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): U.S. trade association for residential and light commercial construction and development with parallel advocacy, conventions, education, certifications (CGR, CAPS), publications, and state-level local associations — a structurally equivalent trade association model.
- American Resort & Residential Development Association (ARDA): Trade association for the vacation ownership and resort industry with advocacy, conventions, education, and publications — directly analogous membership organization in an adjacent specialty property vertical.
Broad incumbents
- National Association of Realtors (NAR): Massive U.S. trade association for residential and commercial real estate practitioners — a much larger incumbent showing the upper bound of what a real estate trade association can become through recurring dues, designations, and advocacy.
Emerging players
- Inside Self-Storage: Industry media and education brand exclusively serving the self-storage sector via publications, trade shows, and digital content — competes with SSA for content, education, and event dollars within the same vertical.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Self Storage Association social profiles
Digital presenceSelf Storage Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Self Storage Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Self Storage Association subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Self Storage Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Self Storage Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Self Storage Association
What does Self Storage Association do?
The Self Storage Association (SSA) is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade association that provides industry advocacy, education, certification, research, legal resources, events, and publications to self-storage facility owners, operators, managers, and suppliers in the United States and internationally. Its core offerings include the CSSM professional certification, Self Storage Legal Network, national and state conferences, SSA Magazine, Online University, and industry market research.
Is Self Storage Association a public or private company?
Self Storage Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Self Storage Association founded?
Self Storage Association was founded in 1975. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Self Storage Association based?
Self Storage Association is headquartered in Alexandria, United States, in the North America region.
How does Self Storage Association make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are events & Conferences, publications & Products, advertising & Sponsorships, certifications and online Services.
Who are Self Storage Association's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Apartment Association, NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association), BOMA International (Building Owners and Managers Association), Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), ICSC (Innovating Commerce Serving Communities), CCIM Institute, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and American Resort & Residential Development Association (ARDA). National Association of Realtors (NAR) is listed as a broad incumbent. Inside Self-Storage is listed as an emerging player.
Does Self Storage Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Self Storage Association.
What industry is Self Storage Association in?
Self Storage Association's product category is Industry Trade Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAKAGAB, Standard/Non-Climate Self-Storage, with a secondary code of HSAKAGAD, Business & Commercial Self-Storage (Inventory/Records). Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.