Valet is the first and last thing your guests experience. Most problems come from two moments: everyone arriving at once and everyone leaving at once. Planning for those two moments is most of the job.
Four to six weeks before
- Estimate vehicles, not guests. Couples and groups share rides, and some guests use rideshare. Your valet company will help you convert a guest count into an expected number of cars.
- Define the arrival window. A 30-minute arrival window needs more attendants than guests trickling in over two hours.
- Choose the drop-off point. It should be well lit, safe to stop at, and visible from the road, with room for several cars to unload at once.
- Confirm where cars will be parked. A lot, a garage, a neighbor's driveway, or a field. Distance from drop-off is the biggest factor in how fast cars come back.
- Check local rules. Some South Florida cities regulate valet operations on public streets and may require a permit. Your venue or valet company can tell you what applies.
- Request a certificate of insurance if your venue, club, or HOA requires one.
The week of the event
- Share the timeline: guest arrival, key moments, and expected end time.
- Plan for rain: umbrellas, a covered waiting area, and a slower pace.
- Tell your guests: include valet details and the address of the drop-off point in your final reminder.
- For gated communities, give the gate the guest list and valet plan.
At the event
- Keep the drop-off clear. No parked cars, vendors, or signage blocking the lane.
- Stagger departures. Digital claim tickets let guests request their car before they say goodbye, which spreads out the end-of-night rush.
- Have one point of contact between your host team and the valet lead.
Planning an event in South Florida? Intrak plans event valet around your venue, guest count, and timeline, and every guest receives a QR claim ticket to request their car before they leave. See our event valet service.