How long has Messenger been published?

Messenger was first published in 1979 as Mini-Storage Messenger, described as the original voice of the self-storage industry. For nearly 45 years it has supplied the industry with educational information and analytic tools.

Is the Self-Storage Almanac available in digital format?

Yes. The Almanac is sold in print, in digital, and as a combination of both. The digital version is read online and cannot be printed or downloaded as a PDF. It is sold only in its entirety, so individual charts and tables cannot be bought separately.

Is the Expense Guidebook available as a hard copy?

No. The Expense Guidebook is published only as a digital PDF. Orders can be placed on the website or by phone with the circulation team.

Podcasts & communities

Modern Storage Media (Mini-Storage Messenger)

Modern Storage Media publishes trade media for the self-storage industry. Its flagship is Messenger, first published in 1979 as Mini-Storage Messenger, along with the annual Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Expense Guidebook, and a set of newsletters and columns covering operations, development and construction, marketing, insurance and risk management, legal questions, and industry statistics.

Editorial output includes news on acquisitions, new development and openings, management company moves, management software, and personnel changes, plus whitepapers, e-books, and an annual Top Operators Survey. Facility of the Year and Manager of the Year awards are run annually, and readers can submit press releases and story ideas for publication.

MSM also runs THE Show, a self-storage trade show and conference built around four content pillars - operations, data, development, and investment - with a trade show floor, breakout sessions, and a central clubhouse area. A separate Self-Storage Canada Magazine is published, and advertising is sold through a media kit.

The magazine is sold by subscription: digital-only and print-digital combination subscriptions are available, and the Almanac comes in print, digital, or both. The Almanac is sold only in its entirety, and the Expense Guidebook exists only as a digital PDF. Subscription and advertising contacts are published on the site; check current subscription prices there, as they are not listed.

Best for

Self-storage owners, operators, developers, and suppliers who want industry news, operator rankings, and the Almanac's data. It is a publisher and event organiser, not a consultancy or brokerage.

What they do

Messenger magazine, in print and digital
Self-Storage Almanac, in print and digital
Self-Storage Expense Guidebook (digital PDF)
MSM Weekender newsletter
Annual Top Operators Survey
Facility of the Year and Manager of the Year awards
THE Show trade show and conference
Press release and story submissions
Advertising and media kit
Self-Storage Canada Magazine

What stands out

Messenger was first published in 1979 as Mini-Storage Messenger, and has covered the industry for nearly 45 years.
Introduced the Facility of the Year Awards in 1988 and the Manager of the Year Awards in December 1989.
Released the first annual Top 100 Operators edition in 1996.
Traces its roots to businesses founded in 1974 and 1978 that served self-storage owners with insurance, security, and bookkeeping.
Runs THE Show, a self-storage trade show and conference organised around operations, data, development, and investment.

Common questions

How long has Messenger been published?: Messenger was first published in 1979 as Mini-Storage Messenger, described as the original voice of the self-storage industry. For nearly 45 years it has supplied the industry with educational information and analytic tools.
Is the Self-Storage Almanac available in digital format?: Yes. The Almanac is sold in print, in digital, and as a combination of both. The digital version is read online and cannot be printed or downloaded as a PDF. It is sold only in its entirety, so individual charts and tables cannot be bought separately.
Is the Expense Guidebook available as a hard copy?: No. The Expense Guidebook is published only as a digital PDF. Orders can be placed on the website or by phone with the circulation team.