This year marked a milestone for the self-storage industry as the SelfStorage Association (SSA) celebrated 50 years at the 2025 Fall Conference& Tradeshow. The Gorden Group team was proud to be part of it—and we made the most of every moment.

Hitting the Ground Early

Our own Darsh Desai and Jeff Gorden from the Self Storage team got a head start by arriving a day early. They hit the road to tour several storage sites, staying close to the pulse of the market before diving into the conference itself. These on-the-ground insights are invaluable as we continue to connect owners, operators, and investors with opportunities that match their goals.

Conference Highlights

The SSA once again delivered an event that balanced business, networking, and celebration. Some of the standout moments included:

• Darius Rucker live in concert – a showstopper that set the tone for the celebration
• A private tour of the Raiders’ stadium – bringing together colleagues in a one-of-a-kind setting
• Conversations with old friends and new partners– reconnecting with familiar faces while expanding our network across the industry
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Industry Insights

While the celebrations were memorable, the real value came from the knowledge shared on the floor and in the halls. Here are the key takeaways we brought home:

• Optimism remains strong. Despite market headwinds, confidence is still high across the sector.
• Investors are active. There’s continued appetite for quality opportunities—properties are trading, and deals are happening.
• Technology is driving change. From new software platforms to advanced hardware, the influence of data and tech was evident, with vendors showcasing tools designed to streamline operations and maximize performance.

Looking Ahead

The SSA’s 50th anniversary wasn’t just a celebration of the past—it was a look ahead at where the industry is going. For us at Gorden Group, it reaffirmed our belief that while the landscape evolves, relationships remain at the core of self-storage success.

We’re grateful to our colleagues, clients, and partners who make events like these so meaningful. Here’s to the next 50 years of growth, innovation, and collaboration in self-storage.

If you’d like to talk through strategies, don’t hesitate to reach out to us: Connect Now

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