t’s hard to believe that it is almost time to ring in 2026! Although this is the last issue of Self-Storage Canada in 2025, it’s packed with insights to help your business into the new year and beyond.

For starters, our feature story “Reducing Friction,” which begins on page 26, provides details about how artificial intelligence and 3D planners help customers select the ideal unit sizes for their storage needs and visualize how the items they need to store can be realistically arranged within that unit to maximize the space. A step up from size calculators and demo units, AI-powered planners generate personalized results that enable customers to choose a unit size with confidence.

To address several operational concerns, this edition has three columns that operators and property managers will find helpful. “Held Captive” covers the unpleasant issue of human trafficking, listing the warning signs and actions that can be taken to prevent your facility from becoming a haven for this kind of criminal activity. There are also two tech-related articles: “Win The Numbers Game” discusses the various ways to utilize self-storage software to boost the bottom line, while “The AI Shift” examines the rise of generative optimization as SEO falls out of favor in digital marketing.

For even more details about shifts within the industry, you’ll want to read the “2026 Self-Storage Outlook,” staring on page 30. With direct quotes from eight prominent industry professionals, this feature answers questions everyone in the self-storage business is asking as the year comes to a close.

Last but not least, our cover story, “A Life Less Ordinary,” follows the lively career path of Margaux Chetrit, director of business development at Avenir Properties, senior advisor at Montreal Mini-Storage, and self-proclaimed “yes person.” Even though she’s relatively new to the industry, she’s already making a favorable mark.

In closing, on behalf of the entire MSM team, I’d like to thank you for your ongoing support and wish you all a wonderful holiday season filled with love and good cheer! May all your winter days be merry and bright!