21 Jan 2026
Self Storage has never had a more important time for Young Leader engagement. The industry in 2026 is at a pivotal point in its modern history. After more than a decade of rapid expansion, pandemic-era volatility, and changing household behavior, the sector is now navigating an unusual combination of softening demand in many markets alongside a supply pipeline that has become meaningfully more constrained. That convergence is reshaping competitive dynamics, underwriting assumptions, and the strategies operators and investors are using to drive performance.
Communication and networking within the Self Storage industry is more important than ever. Which is why In January, NYSSA took an important step toward investing in the next generation of self storage professionals with the launch of the NYSSA Young Leaders Council.
The Council exists to connect early career professionals and help foster three qualities essential to the strength of our industry: competence, character, and community.
The Young Leaders Council serves professionals with zero to seven years of experience across operations, development, acquisitions, asset management, marketing, technology, and vendor partnerships. Its purpose is both practical and relational. The Council seeks to support professional growth through shared learning, ethical awareness, and meaningful connections across the New York self storage community.
The Council held its first Young Leaders networking event on January 6 at O’Briens on 31st in Manhattan. Several young professionals from across the industry attended, representing finance, technology, architecture, and development. The atmosphere was professional and welcoming, with conversations centered on career paths, deal making, shared challenges, and opportunities to learn from one another.
Looking ahead, the NYSSA Young Leaders Council is planning to gather regularly, bringing early career professionals together for relationship-building, shared learning, and exposure to different corners of the self-storage industry.
Future Council meetups will include fun social outings, and activities such as meeting up at a driving range, local restaurant, or light programming hosted at storage facilities, and partner offices across New York State. The Council aims to grow around three guiding pillars: competence through practical skill-sharing, character through thoughtful discussion of ethics and stewardship, and community through networking, mentorship, and service.
NYSSA looks forward to continuing these Young Leaders events across the state and welcoming new voices into the conversation as the group develops.
Our members come from all parts of the Self Storage industry, there are no exclusions to a particular vendor specialty, any member over the age of 21 is welcome to participate, there is no age limit on participation. If you or a colleague would be interested in participating in future NYSSA Young Leaders Council events, please join our mailing list by emailing James McLean at Jmclean@unionrealtime.com.
