CEO’s Report

“It has been a privilege to work with people who have such genuine passion for their industry sector. Susan Phillips, CEO SSAA

It’s been an interesting journey since 2016 when I took on the role of CEO of the SSAA and to say that it has maintained its ‘interesting status’ would be an understatement. No two days are ever the same, although that would have been nice, occasionally.

There are always favourite parts to every job and getting out and about to meet members and seeing their facilities was something I enjoyed immensely. Listening and watching as an owner showed me through their facility and the unique features that made them stand out from the crowd in what essentially is a large building with lots of roller doors and packing boxes on display. However, many of our members have their quirky ways to create a point of difference, for instance piped music in the aisleways, man caves, rows of bright pink roller doors to support breast cancer, creative designs and clever quotes on storage boxes, external decorative night lighting, underground storage units, storage box Christmas displays, imaginative logo designs and the list goes on.

It has been a privilege to work with people who have such genuine passion for their industry sector, whether that be our members who are behind the ideas, designs and building of a facility or those who add the finishing touches to the fit

Susan Phillips with the SSAA team at LEOTY. out and everyday operations. Many of our service members have been around since the very beginning of the Association helping our facility owners make the most from their investments. Facility owners and operators have contributed generously with their time to make the industry the best it can be through their constant engagement at events or contributing information in surveys and research projects. To say the very least, our members are never shy when it comes to sharing their opinions. Although the industry has been undergoing change due to consolidation and there will be much more activity in this area, there is one thing that remains constant – the storer. Collectively we see ten of thousands of consumers pass through our doors and every day the SSAA office receives calls from members to help with a situation. Some of these are more challenging than others. There has been the odd earthquake, fire, flood, arson attack, dead body, drug raid, meth lab and on one occasion the SSAA Office had to go into lockdown (not due to COVID-19) when an aggrieved storer made threatening calls to me. Fortunately, police back-up resolved the matter quickly. So, there will be moments I will miss and others that I will not. The great SSAA Team will be there to help you each day. It is my very great pleasure to be handing the reigns over to our new CEO Makala who shares the same passion and a wide knowledge of the industry. I remain a member and am looking forward to returning to oversee the operations of my own facility. I sincerely wish to thank all who have helped me through the journey, some moments were bumpier than others!! Bring on 2022 when I will be meeting up with many of you in March at the SSAA Annual Convention and 30th Anniversary celebrations in Melbourne. Until then, best wishes and thank you. l