Interesting Facts About Valet Parking

Florida-based entrepreneur Curtis Hennigar possesses an educational background in business and nearly 40 years of experience in the valet parking service industry. Curtis Hennigar is the owner of CAH Palm Beach, with locations in Minnesota, Missouri, Vermont, and Florida.

A valet service offers benefits to car owners ranging from time efficiency and security to convenience and luxury. All the driver has to do on arrival is to hand the valet their car key. When it's time for departure, they hand over their ticket stub, retrieve their keys, tip the valet and leave. Here are other particular highlights of valet parking:

1. Tipping is significant

The average tip for valet parking services is $3. But 75 percent of drivers will tip better in bad weather or when assisted with luggage.

2. Men dominate the industry

The male gender dominates the industry because women don't usually apply for jobs. Although the reason for this isn't yet known, the job of a valet parker can be physically demanding. Thus, some companies require drivers to pass a fitness test before they can work.

3. Expanded services

Valet parking has been redefined over the years from a car parking luxury available in high-profile bars and restaurants to a considerably public service available for other vehicles like bikes and boats.

Preparing to Become a Valet Driver

Curtis Hennigar has owned and operated CAH Palm Beach in Boca Raton, Florida, since 1982. The valet parking services provider has established locations throughout the United States, including Minnesota and Vermont. As the owner, Curtis Hennigar oversees all employees and management team activities at CAH Palm Beach.

Individuals interested in becoming a valet should conduct as much research as possible before applying for a position. One of the primary requirements is to have a standard driving license. With this in mind, valet companies are looking for truly experienced drivers, including those who have driven manual transmission, a clean driving record, a professional appearance and demeanor, and completed the Top Valet Online Training Course, along with similar classes. Customer service experience is also valued.

In addition to preparing for the job, individuals must consider their desired location and what that will mean regarding pay and workload. Some hotels, for example, might see very little use at the valet stand, making for an easy but low paying shift. A restaurant just down the street, meanwhile, might park scores of cars an hour on weekends, yielding plenty of tips throughout a hard night’s work.

Lastly, individuals should be aware that in addition to regularly engaging with clients, valets are part of a team led by the team manager. Being able to communicate and get along with this team will determine how many hours per week a valet receives, or whether they will be hired in the first place.

Choosing the Right Type of Valet Podium

A longtime owner of valet parking companies in Florida, Chris Hennigar has also expanded his business reach into Minnesota, Vermont, and Missouri. In overseeing each of his companies, Chris Hennigar strives to ensure customer satisfaction.

The right valet podium can make a good impression on customers. If you don’t want to draw too much attention to the valet service or want to keep it simple and functional, a standard podium is best. These are typically metal and don’t include a point-of-sale system.

To make the valet presence stand out a little, you can choose a deluxe or high-end model, which are usually made of stainless steel. While expensive, these podiums come with a point-of-sale system for tracking vehicles and charges.

Lastly, you can opt for a custom-made valet podium. This type of podium is available in numerous shapes and sizes and is usually best suited for high-end valet services. In using a custom-made podium, valet companies signal to customers that they’re receiving a one-of-a-kind valet experience.

Three of the Top Golf Courses Near Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Based in South Florida for nearly three decades, entrepreneur Curtis Hennigar founded his valet parking company CAH Palm Beach in 1982. In his work there, Curtis Hennigar manages a variety of crucial functions that are critical to the success of the business, as well as overseeing the performance of employees. He is also an avid golfer, and enjoys the many golf courses near his home in Lighthouse Point, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale is home to a number of fine golf courses, including one with a treasured place in film history. Here are a few suggestions for some of the best places to golf while in town:

1. Grande Oaks Golf Club - If you’re looking to take in a bit of golf and film history, stop by this 18-hole golf course located in Davie, Florida. Though the course is probably best known for its use in the film Caddyshack, which starred Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Murray, it also offers a great mix of relaxing and more challenging play, and boasts a number of great amenities, including a beautiful plantation-style clubhouse and several new renovations for members to enjoy.

2. Bonaventure Golf Club - Located in Weston, this public course offers 18 holes across a beautifully designed facility, which is filled with incredible water features (among them the best waterfall in the region, located at hole three). The course runs alongside the Florida Everglades, offering options for golfers of all skill levels, and its resort and spa offer 500 rooms for guests to stay in, making it an ideal spot for events.

3. Jacaranda Golf Club - A semi-private club located in Plantation, Jacaranda Golf Club has been awarded four stars by Golf Digest magazine, and has hosted several PGA, FSGA, and USGA events over the years. It has two four-star rated courses, the East and West Courses, with the West Course being the shorter of the two (though not less challenging). The semi-private club structure is an excellent mixture of club amenities combined with public access for golfers.

What Does a Valet Do?

Curtis Hennigar is a distinguished executive from Florida. He graduated with an associate's degree in business from Broward Community College. Curtis Hennigar is the owner of several valet parking companies that operate in Minneapolis, St. Louis, Missouri, Burlington, Vermont, and Palm Beach, Florida.

Valets mainly work in hotels, though they can also work in specialized parking companies, restaurants, and private residences. Primarily, a valet’s job is to greet guests as they enter the establishment and help them with luggage. A valet may also be required to open doors and take guests to their rooms.

A valet should also be well-acquainted with local amenities and able to offer recommendations regarding local attractions, shopping centers, and such. Labeling keys and making sure that guests are returning them on time is also among the duties of a valet.

A valet might also work at the hotel’s parking lot. There, they would be tasked to park guests’ vehicles and direct traffic to avoid possible accidents. A valet might also have to handle the paperwork and payments regarding parked cars. They also have to keep the parking lot clean.

Excellent communication skills, courtesy, and attention to detail are among the essential skills for a valet. Accountability and integrity are the most important personality traits.

Economic Benefits of Small Businesses

An accomplished business owner, Curtis Hennigar is an avid golfer who resides in Boca Raton, Florida. In1982, Curtis Hennigar founded CAH Palm Beach, a valet parking company that has been recognized as Small Business of the Year.

According to the United States Small Business Administration, small businesses refer to independently owned and operated companies that hold little influence over their specific industries. Unlike medium- and large-scale businesses, small businesses have less than 500 total employees.

Small businesses serve as major players in the overall United States economy. In addition to generating roughly 50 percent of the United States' gross domestic product, small businesses help create jobs, provide opportunities for minorities to improve their financial position, and drive competition and innovation. Moreover, small businesses act as sales agents for the products developed by larger companies. Alternatively, they complement larger organizations by providing services to them that range from accounting and insurance to legal services and outsourcing.