Napa Recap Article
A Toast to Connection: Recapping the 2025 CSSA Napa Self Storage Owners Conference
Set among the sun-soaked vineyards and crisp spring air of Napa Valley, the 2025 CSSA Self Storage Owners Conference delivered a memorable blend of learning, networking, and celebration. Held at The Meritage Resort and Grand Reserve, this year’s gathering brought together owners, operators, and industry leaders from across the country for two days that reminded us why this event continues to set the standard.
Monday morning opened with choice and charm. Attendees had the option to explore two boutique wine tours or tee off at the Charity Golf Classic, held at the Napa Valley Country Club. The golf tournament raised funds for Kure It Cancer Research, blending competition with cause in a setting surrounded by Napa’s natural beauty.
As the afternoon settled in, attendees made their way to the Opening Reception on the lawn at The Village at Grand Reserve. With vineyard views, a live jazz band, a standout oyster bar, and the annual golf awards presentation, the reception brought everyone together in a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere. The event set a warm tone for what was to come, offering moments of reconnection and conversation under the soft golden light of early evening.
When the sun went down, the energy turned up. The Nightcap Networking event followed immediately after, hosted at “Crush” and featuring Overlocked, a band made up of self-storage professionals who once again proved they know how to light up a room. Attendees danced, sang along, and cheered each other on at the Charity Bowling Tournament, capping the night with community and fun.
Tuesday began with clarity. The first session of the day featured Tyson Huebner, Director of Research at Yardi Matrix, delivering a timely and data-rich session titled “Self-Storage Outlook: Clarity Amid Economic Uncertainty.” His insights grounded the day’s conversation in market realities, offering a sober yet optimistic lens on where things are heading.
Next, futurist and AI strategist Jonathan Brill challenged attendees to reimagine the role of technology in business. His keynote explored not only where artificial intelligence is going, but how operators can prepare now to stay ahead of the curve. His message was clear: strategy must move at the speed of technology.
The morning continued with the Industry Panel: How REITs Use AI, moderated by Pedro Florida, COO of KobreCo. The panel included Michael Braine (Public Storage), Guy Middlebrooks (CubeSmart), Tony Park (InSite), and Jeff Stott (Extra Space). Each shared thoughtful insights on how large operators are exploring, testing, and implementing AI in real ways. The session provided practical examples with a forward-thinking lens, giving the audience a rare view into how the industry's biggest players are approaching transformation.
Following the panel, attendees turned their attention to California’s Legislative Landscape. The session, “California Legislative Update and Challenges,” addressed key policy updates and regulatory concerns affecting the self-storage industry today. Among the most pressing issues was SB 709, which drew detailed discussion on its potential impact and the importance of statewide advocacy. This session served as a critical reminder that innovation must be matched with attention to legal and operational realities.
The afternoon concluded with the always-anticipated Rapid-Fire Tech Session. Brave presenters delivered high-speed, high-impact demonstrations on tools and innovations pushing the industry forward. With only five minutes per speaker, this format is fast, intense, and inspiring—proof that the self-storage world is thinking creatively and acting boldly.
Across both days, a common theme emerged: connection, creativity, and community matter more than ever. From educational sessions to casual conversations over wine, this year's Napa conference offered moments that sparked new ideas and reminded us why we gather in the first place.
A sincere thank you to every sponsor, speaker, volunteer, and attendee who made this event such a success. The setting may have been beautiful, but it’s the people who continue to make this conference unforgettable.
We’ll see you next year.