Self Storage Association

Industry Trade Association Servicesselfstorage.org

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

Trade association services
Industry advocacy
Professional certification
Industry events
Industry research

Where Self Storage Association is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

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 offering

Core 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 profile

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Self Storage Association technology and API

Technology

Technology 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 signal

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

Public StoragecoreOthersPublic 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 ManagementcoreOthersCubeSmart 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 StoragecoreOthersStorQuest is featured as a partner spotlight offering private operator advantage and professional facility management services, advertising on SSA's website.
Charity StoragecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity 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 AssociationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSA 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 FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSA Foundation is the charitable arm of SSA, providing scholarships, Hall of Fame recognition, and donation programs for the self storage industry.
SSA Women's CouncilcoreOthersAn SSA member group focused on supporting women in the self storage industry through networking and professional development.
Large Operators CouncilcoreOthersSSA member council for large self storage operators providing specialized resources and networking for major industry players.
Young Leaders GroupcoreOthersSSA member group for emerging leaders in the self storage industry, providing mentorship and career development resources.
Diversity & Inclusion CouncilcoreOthersSSA 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 assessment

Direct 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 financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Self Storage Association leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Self Storage Association subsidiaries and ownership

Company hierarchy

Subsidiaries2 records

Self Storage Association funding detail

Funding detail

Funding 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 investment

M&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?

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.