Welcome to our SYD25 issue of STOReFLASH. What a week it was! We’re excited to share some of our favourite moments and key takeaways. Highlights included tours of Sydney’s newest facilities, thought-provoking sessions, the buzzing trade show floor and vibrant networking events across Darling Harbour, capped off by the industry's night of nights, the SSAA Awards for Excellence presented by VISY Specialties. To our partners, event sponsors, speakers, exhibitors and everyone involved in making this year's convention our best yet, thank you.

Makala Ffrench Castelli
CEO | SSAA 

The glitz, glamour and roller doors of Self Storage Week!

SYD25, you were huge. We’ve captured some of the best moments from our biggest convention yet – from a spectacular welcome party aboard The Jackson presented by Regis Built and on-the-road facility tours, to workshops, inspiring keynotes and a big night out at our Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner. Relive the week here:

🔹 Browse the Photo Gallery 

🔹 Read the Event Wrap

🔹 Watch the Session Recordings

🔹 Download the Slides 

We'll be sharing more highlights and insights over the coming months. Don't forget to tag us on socials as you share the week that was, and keep your eye out for the special Convention Edition of Insider magazine for the full week in review!  

Meet your 2025 Awards for Excellence winners

We’re thrilled to announce the 2025 SSAA Awards for Excellence winners, presented by VISY Specialties. A highlight of Self Storage Week and the close of SYD25, our gala dinner celebrated the remarkable achievements within our industry across ten hotly contested categories – from clever conversions and regional success stories to industry leadership, innovation, sustainability and community engagement. These Awards recognise the people, facilities and service providers leading the way in self storage.

A huge thank you to our winners, judges, sponsors and supporters for your contribution to our vibrant, future-focused industry. 

Congratulations to our newest Life Member 

At this year’s Awards for Excellence, Keith Edwards of All Secure Self Storage was recognised as a Life Member of the Self Storage Association of Australasia, for his outstanding leadership, enduring service and dedication to advancing self storage. Read on to learn more about Keith's trans-Tasman contribution over the past two decades here.

Explore the latest industry data and trends

The SSAA’s biennial Industry Snapshot is here. The 2025 report captures a market in motion and a sector navigating change with confidence. Drawing on data from hundreds of facilities across Australia and New Zealand, the report provides critical metrics, trends and insights as the industry continues to evolve. 

Consortium moves on National Storage with $4bn offer

National Storage REIT has received a $4.02 billion unsolicited takeover proposal from Brookfield Property Group and GIC Investments consortium, offering $2.86 cash per stapled security, less an expected 6 cent interim dividend. The bid represents a material premium to NSR’s pre-announcement price of $2.26 and follows earlier confidential approaches and limited due diligence. The NSR Board has granted the consortium exclusivity and access to further due diligence until 7 December to formulate a binding offer, while reserving the right to consider any superior proposal. 

SSAA AGM and new appointments

The SSAA held its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 26 November 2025. This year we had a number of director elections and are pleased to announce the following appointments:

• Regular Category – Brent Hayes and Adrian Wylde were re-elected to serve a second term, and we’re pleased to welcome Ivor Morgan of Jim’s Self Storage to fill the third regular operator vacancy 
• New Zealand Category – Aaron Alsweiler was re-elected unopposed
• Major Operator – Sam Kennard won the Major Operator election to serve a further three year term (83% majority)
• Service Member – Anthony Regis was re-elected (33% majority), following a hotly contested vote.

Thank you to everyone who stood for election. The 2025 Annual Report and Financial Statements are available here.

Auckland networking event

Join fellow New Zealand owners and operators for a relaxed end-of-year catch-up in Auckland on December 9. We’ll start with a tour of the new All Secure Three Kings facility, followed by casual drinks and nibbles. The complex also features a top indoor golf venue - bring your clubs or hire on the night if you’d like to have a swing. For more detail and to register visit our events page. RSVPs are essential.

Stellar X Storco strategic partnership 

SSAA Major Partners Stellar Storage Containers and Storco have joined forces in a new strategic partnership announced at SYD25. This new alliance will make  Storco the exclusive distributor of Stellar’s relocatable storage containers in Australia and New Zealand. Stellar is a global leader in relocatable storage solutions - an expertise that dovetails perfectly into Storco's storage fit out and construction capability. 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY OUR VALUED PARTNERS