Do You NEED Valet Parking Service?

I talk to people every day about offering valet parking service for private events. One of the most common objections I hear is "We don't NEED valet -- there is plenty of parking."

Yes - there are times when valet parking service is a solution to a challenging parking situation.

Other times, most times... it is a simple courtesy extended to the guests of the event, that changes their arrival & departure experience, that creates a wonderful first impression of the entire event. It lets guests know that the host was concerned about their experience, from the moment they arrived until the last goodbyes were over.

Today, Elite Management Services had the honor of providing valet parking services for a private event held at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, Indiana. It was a small group, about 100 guests -- and yes, there was plenty of parking available. BUT...

Today it was RAINING. Cold, cloudy, fall rain -- the kind that leaves a chill in the air even indoors, where the heat should provide comfort from the wet 44 degree day.

And the event -- it was a 90th birthday party. This meant there were guests of all ages, including quite a few elderly folks, and quite a few walkers, canes and wheelchairs. In other words, quite a few guests who would not have appreciated the long walk across a cold wet parking lot.

Luckily, the event planning staff at the Ritz Charles knew their client, understood the guest list, and knew what Indiana weather can be like in November. They called on Elite Management Services to ensure that guests were able to drive right up to the front door, stay out of the rain, and get straight into the beautifully decorated party. And of course, that meant every guest was able to get back into a dry, already warmed-up car when they were ready to head home.

THANK YOU to the Ritz Charles, for giving Elite Management Services the opportunity to help make it a wonderful party.

If you're planning an event -- whether its a small gathering at your home or a larger group at a professional event venue -- call me. Let's talk about how valet parking services can ensure the best arrivals & departures for the night.

www.eliteparkingservices.com
317-607-8738

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Wishing On Stars

Elite Management Services valet parking teams are used to providing valet parking for worthwhile fundraising events. We're used to providing valet parking services at the best restaurants in Indianapolis. And we're used to valet parking cars for many of Indianapolis' favorite faces -- including many of the Indianapolis Colts players.

But it is still exciting when you get to combine all three in one fantastic night!

Last week was the 7th Annual WISHING ON STARS event, benefiting the Indiana Children's Wish Fund. Reggie Wayne of the Indianapolis Colts hosted the event, which was held at Mo's A Place For Steaks. Reggie, along with many other celebrities including Colts & Pacers players, "waiting on" guests, signing autographs, and doing just about anything you could think of -- all in the name of charity. The live auction and silent auction got guests to generously open up their hearts and wallets, raising money to grant wishes to children with life-threatening conditions.

Of course -- Elite Management Services was on the curb, greeting guests, valet parking cars, and most importantly -- creating AWESOME FIRST (AND LAST) IMPRESSIONS of the event.

If you're hosting an event, call me -- let's talk about how important valet parking is to your guests and to your fundraising efforts.

317-607-8738
www.eliteparkingservices.com

Indiana State University Campaign Kick-Off

Recently, Elite Management Services had the honor of providing valet parking services for the Campaign Kick-Off Gala for Indiana State University.

As you can imagine, this was an incredibly important event for the ISU Foundation. The foundation leaders organizing this event knew that EVERY DETAIL mattered, and that the FIRST IMPRESSION of the night MUST BE AWESOME in order to ensure that guests would embrace the fundraising goals of the event.

Elite Management Services was there, greeting every guest, ensuring first impressions were everything they should be. As you can see from the words of the event organizer, we succeeded.

Your guys were absolutely AWESOME and it just made such a difference. It just set the tone of the evening. It was a phenomenal event and I was just -- I was thrilled -- absolutely thrilled.

Call me! I will be a reference for you anytime. Very professional!

-Teddy Lenderman, Director of Special Events
Indiana State University Foundation

If you're trying to find a way to improve upon your next event -- CALL ME! Valet Parking really does make a difference, and your guests will thank you for it.

317-607-8738

www.eliteparkingservices.com

KEY TO THE CURE at Saks Fifth Avenue

Last weekend, Elite Management Services had the honor of welcoming guests to the Saks Fifth Avenue "Key To The Cure" Gala.

Event professionals transformed Saks Fifth Avenue into an amazing special event venue for the night, all to raise money for Susan G. Komen foundation. Festivities included fabulous food & drink, a table-top fashion show unveiling New York fashion designer Pamella Roland's Spring 2010 Collection, and hours of dancing.

Elite was at the front door of Saks, welcoming guests and VIPs (guests were able to mingle with Danica Patrick and Peyton Manning). The highlight of the night for us, however, came when guests left the first-floor cocktail hour, and went upstairs...

As guests arrived, the Elite team quietly made note of how many guests were in each vehicle. When guests left the first floor, the Saks team began bringing out surprise thank-you gifts, and our team went to work placing gift bags in cars. As guests called it a night and our valet team returned vechicles -- everyone got back into their cars and were surprised to find a gift bag for each person in the car waiting for them. It was awesome to watch the surprise and appreciation on their faces!

It was a wonderful night, for a wonderful cause, and the Elite Management Services team was thrilled to be a part of it all. We can help YOU make your next event wonderful, too -- CALL US!

317-607-8738
www.eliteparkingservices.com

First-Class At Lucas Oil Stadium

This weekend, Elite Management Services had the privilege of providing special event valet parking services for a valued client on their annual donor appreciation event. The planner for this organization is wonderful to work with, and I am always impressed by her ability to plan this annual event at the hottest venues in Indianapolis.

Not surprisingly, she treated this year's guests to an evening at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Let me just tell you -- I was THRILLED when I got the call about helping her to create a truly awesome arrival for the evening. Guests were able to pull up DIRECTLY to the front steps of the building! Car after car, arrival upon arrival, we smiled as guests expressed their surprise at being spared the parking lots and instead treated to first-class front-door valet parking service.

And if you've ever seen the vast sea of parking lots surrounding Lucas Oil Stadium, you will appreciate the relief those guests felt as they stayed nice and dry while VALET ran thru the pouring rain at the end of the night to bring their cars right back to the front steps.

Lucas Oil Stadium is truly an amazing venue, and Elite Management Services' valet parking team make sure that the guests' arrivals and departures were as memorable as the rest of the night. (If you're planning an event there -- CALL US!)

www.eliteparkingservices.com
317-607-8738

Busy Downtown Weekend

What a GREAT weekend we just had! It was certainly proof that Indianapolis works hard to provide an abundance of entertainment options.

This past weekend Elite Management Services' valet parking teams greeted guests as they came downtown for a Kenny Chesney concert, IrishFest, Fiesta Indianapolis, an Indiana Fever game, and another awesome wedding at the Eiteljorg Museum.

With thousands of visitors driving around looking for parking, it makes us VERY PROUD to have our teams out there (EASY TO FIND IN THOSE STYLISH RED VESTS) smiling and making sure that nobody has to stress about finding the perfect parking place.

If you find yourself coming downtown, plan your trip to include dinner or a drink at one of our many restaurant clients who the BEST VALET PARKING in Indianapolis. We'll happily valet park your car --hassle-free-- and spare you the stress of circling city blocks looking for meters or an open parking garage.

www.eliteparkingservices.com
317-607-8738

A Royal Welcome at King Tut Grand Opening

When most people think of the Children's Museum, they think of young children having a great time. Dinosaurs, Egyptian wonders, and the wonder of science and engineering -- what's not to love? But when the event planners at the museum are ready to introduce the city to a new exhibit, the result is an amazing night of wonder fit for kings. Last Friday, it was (more specifically) a night for the Egyptian King Tut. And of course, Elite Management Services was there to help the night run smooth on the curb.

Over 700 people came out to support the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and to get the first awe-inspiring introduction to the new King Tut Exhibit. Guests were able to pull up directly to the red carpet, where they were greeted by a team of red vests that have become the signature of Elite Management Services.

We parked several hundred cars -- most of them arriving in the first hour -- and saved guests the hassle of touring the parking garage in dress shoes, formal gowns and tuxedos.

It was an exciting night, and the entire Elite team was thrilled to be a part of it. A huge THANK YOU to the entire team who orchestrated the event.

If you're planning an event -- whether its a wedding, gala, bar mitzvah, etc. -- call Elite Management Services. I can share more pictures with you, and show you how Valet Parking Services will make your guests feel truly welcomed when they arrive.

First impression, final impression -- lasting impression of a great night.

www.eliteparkingservices.com
317-607-8738

Wonderful Words

Today, I am smiling. Let me share with you a note we received this week:

Good Afternoon,

I just wanted to take a quick minute and share with you the experience we had at your hotel this past weekend. I arranged a getaway weekend for myself and three of my girlfriends from Fort Wayne. We are all middle-aged women with children, jobs, & life and never really get to spend time together just having fun. We booked two nights at your hotel and figured we would find something to do when we got there. We were warmly welcomed by your valet, T.J. upon our arrival. He carried our bags up to our room and gave us guidance as to where to eat and how to get there. He advised us that Fumo ( I hope I got that right) would be coming in later and would take good care of us also. When we were ready to head to town, Fumo contacted the shuttle and gave us a number for a cab to return after shuttle hours. He gave us several good options for our age group and considered safety a priority. Both gentlemen were on duty again on Saturday. Again, we were treated wonderful and they were very helpful in directing us to more fun places and also to our concert destination in the evening. We were treated like friends.

I wanted to make sure that someone was aware of their service. I am in a customer service position and I know that most of the time employers only hear negative comments or complaints from customers. This is a time when two young gentlemen exceeded their obligations & our expectations. They contributed to our group having a wonderful weekend.

Thanks so much and please be sure to let these gentlemen know that we really appreciated everything they did. We look forward to visiting again.

I am proud of our team. I am thrilled that 4 wonderful guests took a moment out of their day to share their story with us -- because our guests & clients will always do a better job than I can of explaining the every-day service that defines Elite Management Services.

www.eliteparkingservices.com
317-607-8738

Time Flies When We're Having Fun

You always hear the phrase "time flies when you're having fun". It sounds cliche, but it fits Elite Management Services right about now!

2009 came in with a bang (literally -- lots of fireworks at some of the private New Year's Eve parties we serviced), and its hard to believe that we're in the middle of June already!

I need to remember to take a break once in awhile from the day-to-day, and blog about the clients, events and people responsible for our daily success.


HOTELS
We started off the year by beginning 24/7 Valet Parking Services at University Place Conference Center and Hotel -- an amazing 4-Diamond hotel property located right in the middle of the I.U.P.U.I. campus. Whether you are staying for a week, enjoying lunch at Chancellor's Restaurant, or grapping a quick cup of coffee at Artisan's Cafe, we look forward to greeting you on the front drive.

RESTAURANTS
We continue to provide valet parking services at 8 of the finest restaurants in Indianapolis. As our community continues to fight thru the tight economic times, we take great pride in knowing that our entire valet parking team is stepping up to ensure your arrival and departure are as flawless as the great meal you enjoy inside.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of our business continues to be the countless special events we have the honor of servicing. Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, fundraising galas, graduation celebrations and more. We have the privilege this year of working at a great array of venues, schools and private homes, and I will enjoy sharing some of the highlights with you during the coming months.


As always, please feel free to give us a call if you have a need for Valet Parking Services!

www.eliteparkingservices.com
317-607-8738

p.s. -- Special thanks to Erin Hession Photography for the photo of that good-looking valet attendant up there!