MSM names 2026 self-storage managers of the year at THE Show

Modern Storage Media honored three self-storage professionals at its Red Carpet Awards Gala in Atlanta during the inaugural THE Show. The awards recognize managers whose leadership, customer service and facility operations drove measurable results across occupancy, revenue and delinquency.

Why it matters: - The awards spotlight the people behind self-storage performance at a time when technology and automation are changing the business. - MSM says the honorees show the value of hands-on leadership, personal service and sound decision-making. - The winners will be featured in the February issue of MSM's Messenger magazine and in additional coverage online.

What happened: - Modern Storage Media honored three self-storage professionals on Nov. 5, 2026, at its Red Carpet Awards Gala at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. - The gala was part of MSM's inaugural self-storage conference and trade show, THE Show. - MSM announced the 2026 Manager of the Year winner, first runner-up and second runner-up during the event.

The details: - Trisha Smith of Boardwalk Storage—Shady Grove in Toney, Ala., won the top award after taking over a property with missing tenant records, major maintenance issues and more than 100 units needing cleanup. - Smith recovered nearly $23,000 in past-due rent and helped lead a full property restoration. - In her first year, the property's monthly revenue rose from $22,000 to more than $32,000. - Smith also used her own time and equipment to improve the facility. - Andrew Matta of STORE at The Grove in Phoenix was named first runner-up. - Matta has more than 15 years of self-storage experience and has helped drive results at STORE at The Grove and shape STORE Management's operating platform. - Under Matta's leadership, square-foot occupancy rose from 34.1% to 93.2%. - Monthly NOI at the property grew nearly 49% over 12 months. - Matta also helped build training materials, operating procedures and systems used across the company's portfolio. - Alisha Turner of The Space Place Mini Storage in McComb, Miss., was named second runner-up. - Turner helped make the 652-unit property one of her company's top performers. - The facility posted average occupancy of 94.8% in 2025 and kept delinquency at 3.1%. - Turner is known for personalized customer service, creative marketing and mentoring other managers in her community. - MSM Publisher Poppy Behrens said the competition recognizes the important role property managers play in self-storage success.

Between the lines: - The awards point to a broader industry shift: even as software and automation expand, occupancy, revenue growth and delinquency control still depend heavily on on-site management. - The results cited for all three honorees are operational metrics, not just subjective recognition, which gives the awards a performance-based edge. - MSM used the gala and magazine feature to turn the competition into both an industry honor and a platform for management best practices.

What's next: - MSM will publish expanded coverage of the honorees in the February issue of Messenger magazine, in print and digitally. - Additional coverage will be available at Modern Storage Media. - The recognition could help set a benchmark for future Manager of the Year candidates across the self-storage sector.

The bottom line: - MSM's 2026 honors frame self-storage management as a measurable performance role, not just a service job.