So you were thinking of hiring a valet company for your next event and when you finally received a quote you were astonished by the cost.  Why is the quote so expensive? Good question. In these tough economic times, when you really have to justify every expense, especially in a corporate environment, it is crucial to know what you are paying for and why. At Gatsby Valet, we promise to give you a fair and competitive quote, but there are certain costs that even we can’t avoid. To ensure you understand the base cost of your quote, we are here to give you the inside scoop on the common and unavoidable costs associated with a valet service – and why those costs occur.

The Cost of Liability

A reputable valet company should be insured for a minimum of $10 million dollars. This level of insurance is necessary to guarantee you the host/organizer will not get sued in the event of a serious accident with a valet company not adequately covered.  The valet company is liable for each vehicle that they park. If something were to happen to a vehicle under the valet company’s watch, the valet company’s deductible could range anywhere from $5k to $15K, depending on the companies size.  Therefore the valet company has to charge a premium for the amount of vehicles they are handling per event.  The more vehicles the valet has to manage during the event, the higher the risk.

The premium may also increase due to the risk associated with the location of the event. Downtown locations offer a series of challenges, including exposure to other drivers and a greater distance between the event and the parking area. The type of parking lot may also affect the premium, as underground parking offers a different set of challenges than outdoor parking.

Good People are Hard to Find

Unlike a product based business, where units can be mass produced, purchased at a fraction of the retail price and sold at a discounted rate, a valet business runs on the quality and retention of expertly trained staff.  Our staff truly is our prized commodity. At Gatsby Valet we have over 200 experienced employees. Each employee can be seen as an investment in quality service, as all of our employees undergo recruitment, screening, and training before they ever work their first function. Gatsby Valet must incur the training costs of all of the above, without guaranteeing that this employee will work an event. This management style is necessary to ensure that all of our staff are meeting our company standard before having the pleasure of meeting you or your clients. Once the employee has worked their first shift, we must retain their services and ensure they are receiving all of the benefits guaranteed to workers in Canada. It really is true that good people are hard to find, but at Gatsby we find the best and spend the time it takes to make them even better.   

Valet Service is a Luxury Good

Valet service is not for everyone. Having a valet service at your event is a sign of opulence, of class, and generosity. It is a luxury commodity that brings your event or corporate function from the status of a standard function to a high-end event. There is no doubt that it is a niche market, and as such the demand for valet service is only reflected in a minority of the population, which means a valet company must maintain a low volume high margin business model. This is a standard business model for the production and sale of luxury goods. You want the best, and the very best has a cost.

Want to know more about Gatsby Valet? Click the request a quote link to recieve a no obligation quote for valet parking service at your next event.

 Although Gatsby Valet has been hustling and bustling, bringing our unique service and style to holiday parties for corporate and private events alike, we also have our eyes firmly set on the New Year. Gatsby Valet is honoured to be amongst the outstanding exhibiters at The Wedding Co. Show’s annual event taking place January 13-15, 2012 at the Carlu in Toronto, Ontario. Each year, The Wedding Co. Show hand picks Toronto’s finest industry vendors to exhibit at this prestigious three day event. 2012 marks Gatsby Valet’s fourth year of involvement with The Wedding Co. Show and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

“We see our annual involvement with The Wedding Co. Show as a natural fit,” said Gatsby Valet’s Vice President, Daniel Grima. “No matter how unique the bride, one thing remains constant – the simple fact that each bride deserves to be treated like royalty on her special day. It seems fitting that a company like Gatsby Valet, that is dedicated to the tradition of chivalry and class, would be present at an event dedicated to showcasing the best and brightest innovations in this time honoured tradition.”

Come down and see what Gatsby Valet and The Wedding Co. Show have to offer your wedding. Tickets are available online at http://www.theweddingco.com/2011/12/the-wedding-co-show-jan-13-15-2012/

Whether you experience a valet service at a restaurant, a hotel, or a private event there is a tip etiquette that is assumed.  Just as we all know that it is standard to tip a waiter/waitress no less than 15% at a restaurant, there are standards for tipping your valet attendant as well.  As valet service is a niche market, many people are not aware of the tipping standard; therefore, we have come up with a couple basic guidelines for tipping etiquette, so that you will know exactly how to show your gratitude after receiving the royal treatment.

How much to tip your valet attendant?

Just as there is a standard when it comes to tipping restaurant or a bar service staff, there is a similar standard when tipping a valet attendant. The standard is not well known. We have had some valet attendants who have received absolutely no tips within an evening, while others have been fortunate enough to receive $100 dollar tips. Though it is always good to tip anyone who is serving you, the standards are far less extreme or varied as you might think. It is best to follow these simple guidelines. If the service is free, the average tip is $5. The average tip drops to $2 if you have paid for your valet service. Of course, you are more than welcome to tip a particular valet attendant more than the standard, but it is certainly not expected.  

When to tip your valet attendant?

While tipping is certainly up to your discretion, it is best to tip your valet at the beginning of any given function. There are a couple reasons why we suggest this approach. First of all, it rewards the valet attendant and demonstrates your appreciation of their courteous manner and attentive nature.  It is also more likely that you will tip according to the standard and not over or under-appreciate the valet’s service. Secondly, you may in fact be served by more than one valet attendant throughout the course of the event. The attendant who parked your vehicle may not be the attendant who returns your vehicle to you. It would be a shame to not reward the manners and performance of the valet attendant who greeted you and parked your vehicle. In the case that you are served by two different attendants, it is common practice to tip both attendants.

I am the host, how do I set a tip free environment for my guests?

As an event organizer, you may set your own tipping policy upon hiring the valet company. If you establish this policy in advance, the attendants will not accept tips under any circumstances.  They will, however, kindly notify the guests that you, the host, have tipped them on the guests’ behalf.  Though this is not standard practice, it does allow your guests to feel less pressure during your event. That being said, it is assumed that as the host, you will tip each valet accordingly.

If you are interested in offering valet parking services at your wedding, corporate/charity event, or full time at your restaurant, condominium contact us today or request a quote online.

Haven’t heard of Bluwater condominiums yet? You will. With all of the allure, luxury and amenities of a 5-star resort, Bluwater condominiums are planning on turning Oakville into the most coveted high-end condominium in the GTA. Don’t believe me? Take a look at their websites. It’s steeped in the stunning images of a luxury vacation destination. With “a pristine lakeside location”, and an “innovative lifestyle infused with the philosophy of wellness and a commitment to beautiful, creative surroundings”, Bluwater promises its tenants “a whole new level of lifestyle amenities”.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Gatsby Valet was present at the ground breaking ceremony on November 26th, adding their signature touch of chivalry, opulence and class to the event. Gatsby had the pleasure of providing valet parking service for over 200 of Bluwater Condominiums’ VIP guests and spent the evening ensuring that all guests received the reception and care befitting a Bluwater tenant.

“Bluwater believes in the sort of lifestyle that promotes luxury and care,” said Daniel Grima, Vice President of Gatsby Valet. “At Gatsby, we also uphold a similar lifestyle and were honoured to cater to the needs of Bluwater’s guests. I personally can’t wait to see Bluwater’s finished product!”

This month, Gatsby Valet attendants are proudly donning their poppies in remembrance of all of the courageous actions and sacrifices made by our honourable veterans, as they fought for peace in the first and second world wars. Wearing a poppy is such a small way to honour such tremendous sacrifices and it is crucial that the younger generation continues this tradition.

It may be the least we can do, but purchasing a poppy in the month of November really does go a long way.  In 2008 the Salvation Army stated that the sale of poppies “raises $16.5 million annually”, which is “a testament to Canadians and their wide respect for our troops.” (Salvation Army, 2008). The Salvation Army went on to state that  “all poppy money collected by a Legion branch stays within that local community and pays for medical equipment, home services and long-term care facilities for ex-service people in need of financial assistance” (Salvation Army, 2008).  Not only are the stats astounding, but it is encouraging to hear how engaged the Canadian community is when it comes to supporting our veterans and troops.

As a proud supporter of the community and a young Canadian company based in honour and tradition, Gatsby Valet sends out a message of sincere gratitude and support to our veterans and troops this Remembrance Day.

A valet parking service for a house party?! Yes, you read me right. Does it seem a little extreme… a little too luxurious…is the idea a little too classy for you? Not at all. In fact, it’s one of the easiest ways to ensure that your party goes off without a hitch. No disgruntled guests, no DUIs, and no angry calls from annoyed neighbours. Sure, you may still be “raising the roof”, but that doesn’t mean you can’t raise it and in style with a little help from a valet company.

Chips, dips and drinks should be on your mind, let us take care of the parking.
Take a look at our Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Have Valet Parking at Your Next House Party:

Avoid Upsetting the Jones

Forget about keeping up with the Jones, how about surpassing them in class, and stopping their complaints before they even start? With a valet service not only does your party go from irresponsible “rager” to a classy night out, but the valet service will also ensure that all cars are parked in a neat and orderly fashion on one side of the road. That means your neighbours are less likely to freak out about your soiree due to the messy pile of illegally parked cars. Say goodbye to dangerous parking, double parking, parking in your driveway, parking in your neighbour’s driveway, parking on your front lawn or, most importantly, parking on your neighbour’s lawn.

No More Parking Tickets

Nothing says, “Never come visit me again!” quite like a post party parking ticket. We’ve all been there. You have guests who are planning to drive to your party and they want to know where they can park, if they can park, if it is safe to park, and if they need a permit to park. Put their mind (and yours) at ease by placing their car in the hands of a trained valet who will seek out the safest, legal, trouble-free zone to park their car. It will help your guests feel secure and will allow you to get back to your most important task – purchasing mixers for the perfect cocktail.

Lower your Liability

Speaking of the perfect cocktail, did you know that you can be held liable if your guests drink and drive? We all hope that our friends make the right decisions when it comes to drinking and driving, but when you hire a valet service to help manage your party you are guaranteed that none of your guests will get behind the wheel unless they are sober.

The valet service attendees interact with each guest as they are leaving and have possession of your guests’ keys. This means they have the ability to deny any inebriated guests access to their cars and can assist in calling a cab to ensure your guests get home safely.

Stormy Weather

I hate to break it to you, but the weather is only going to get worse. We are, after all, in Canada. But the party must go on and what better way to encourage party goers to show than offering them the opportunity to arrive at your party untouched by the elements! By allowing your guests to drop themselves, and their car, off at your front door, the valet service will ensure that your guests do not arrive to your party disgruntled and drenched. Be it rain, sleet or snow (all very possible in the months to come), your guests will arrive happy and dry!

Toast to the Host!

Aside from all the logistical perks, hiring a valet service for your house party will make your guests feel like royalty. All of the points above will prove that you truly are the best host out there and most importantly will demonstrate how much you care about your guests.

Have any other ideas to add to this list? Make a comment below. For more information or to request a quote for valet parking in Toronto and Southern Ontario contact us.

Gatsby Valet Parking has now serviced the Shangri-la on three occasions, but Thursday posed a particular issue. Parking on University and Richmond during a week day is generally pretty scarce, so it was a sizable challenge to find parking for 200 cars. Of course, Gatsby Valet is known for making the impossible possible and was able to coordinate the logistics of the valet parking service to ensure that each car was expertly parked and each guest was wowed by the service. With over 40 staff in attendance, Gatsby Valet Parking certainly helped draw attention on the streets from onlookers and of course, provided the appearance and experience of luxury and convenience for all guests who no longer had to search for parking. We were honoured to be part of this high-end event, and were thrilled to add our luxury services to the opulent ambience of the Shangri-la Hotel & Condominium.

If you are hosting a high-end event and would like a quote on valet service, please contact us and we would be happy to provide a no obligation quotation.

Gatsby Valet Parking services the Canada’s Walk of Fame 2011 Tribute Charity Ball for the second straight year offering the luxury of valet parking in Toronto to 1000 guests in attendance. 

Guests were invited to leave their vehicle with the professional valet team at the Elgin Theatre for the inductee ceremony and were later ushered to the Sheraton Centre Hotel Grand Ballroom for the after party.  With Nuit Blanche in full force the area was quite congested with vehicles.  Gatsby Valet worked closely with the event planners and committee members of the CWOF team to devise a plan for the valet parking service which was executed flawlessly on the night of.

To learn more about the event visit the Canada’s Walk of Fame Web Site.  To see a few photo’s of Gatsby Valet Parking in Action visit the Toronto Valet Parking Gallery.   Gatsby Valet is a leading supplier of event valet parking service in Toronto and Southern Ontario.  To learn more about our service and to provide you with a quotation for your next function visit our valet parking services page.

As always this year’s CNE was full of distraction. The grease of fried mars bars, the whoosh of airshow and the sweet sounds of matrimony.  That’s right – weddings. 20 of them to be exact.

It was another hectic and fun filled two weeks at this year’s 2011 CNE.   For the Third consecutive year, Gatsby Valet Parking provided valet parking at the prestigious Liberty Grand Entertainment complex in Toronto from August 20^th to September 5^th2011. Servicing 20 weddings and 2 corporate functions, Gatsby Valet Parking had their hands full parking over 1,600 vehicles in the span of 8 days. 

The CNE always offers a unique challenge. Each year the traditional CNE parking lots are reserved for guests coming to the Ex, leaving all wedding guests without a place to park. This is where Gatsby Valet comes in. Taking a creative approach, Gatsby turned the surrounding grass property of Liberty Grand into a 250 spot parking lot. By doing so, Gatsby was able to service 4 different weddings at one time and manage the traffic flow of 3 separate entrances. The logistics are challenging to say the least, but when you have an experienced valet parking company handling the operations, you can rest assure the guests’ experience will be wonderful and that the event will go off without a hitch.   This is why Liberty Grand has contracted Gatsby Valet parking for the last 3 years to help them with their unique parking issue. They know the level of service we provide, trust our expertise and know we will get the job done.

For more information on offering valet parking at your wedding or next event request a quote now or contact us.

As even the most experienced corporate planners know, occasionally you experience a low turnout event.  You know the ones I am talking about. You’re expecting 400 guests and only 100 guests attend.   Blame it on the rain  or the seventh game in a playoff series, no matter what the excuse, I have created a list of the top 4 ways smart planners achieve well attended events:

Valet Parking

Let your guests know that parking will be hassle-free by offering them complimentary valet parking.   This is a must – especially if you are attracting the high end crowd to the downtown Toronto core.  Who wants to go to an event when they know they will have to deal with the headache of finding parking?

Swag Bags 

It’s like a loot bag for grownups. If you think your guests are too high-end for such child’s play, think again. You will be surprised to see how even the most high-end clients get excited to find out what’s inside their swag bag. Convey the message in your marketing and communications that your event will feature exclusive swag bags.  Worried about the cost? Don’t be. It’s quite possible to put together a great swag bag at no cost by contacting high-end manufactures and asking them if they would like to provide samples of their product for your event swag bag. This will provide them with the opportunity to advertise to their target market at no cost and allow you to provide your guests with a gift they are sure to remember.

Food

Offering free appetizers and drinks is a sure fire way to ensure that your guests attend your event.  If you are using a notable caterer, be sure to include their name on the invitations.

Invitations 

Don’t just use emails to promote the event.   It is imperative that your guests hear about your event from their friends. The only way to achieve this goal is to create online hype and let the news of the event go viral.  You need to be on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.  Post your event on your blog and get other bloggers to blog about the event as well.  Don’t forget about the traditional phone call either. This method is still very effective and often makes guests feel more connected to the organizer and more committed to attending the event. In all invitations, be sure to communicate that there will be complimentary valet parking, great food by a notable caterer, and of course, exclusive swag bags for all.

Have any other ideas to add to this list?  Make a comment below with your suggestions on attracting more people to events. For more information or to request a quote for valet parking in Toronto and Southern Ontario contact us.