Located on the famous ‘Broad Street’, Park Regis Birmingham offers exceptional meeting and events space in the heart of the bustling city. From being greeted by an impressive lobby to staying in one of the stylish rooms, delegates are sure to love this venue.
It’s not just the building that makes a venue but the team working behind the scenes. We’ve caught up with Alyson Bateman, Regional Account Manager for Switch Hospitality to find out more about life at Park Regis.
How long have you worked at the venues/hotels?
I’ve been working in hotels for nearly 15 years, and I joined Switch Hospitality Management last January, so it’s already been a whole year, and it’s flown by!
What does your job involve?
No two days are ever the same in this role, which keeps things exciting! The core of what I do is building and maintaining relationships with all the amazing agents who book events on behalf of their clients. Day-to-day, I support new enquiries that come through our hotels, making sure we’ve done everything we can to win the business.
I also spend time on the road, visiting agents to keep them updated on the latest news across our portfolio and showcasing our venues to their teams. Sometimes, I’m researching new agents we haven’t worked with yet to uncover fresh business opportunities for our properties.
What’s the best part of your job? And least favourite?
One of the most enjoyable parts of the job is representing our hotels at industry events and networking, getting to travel around the country and meet new people all the time. It’s such a rewarding experience!
The one thing I don’t enjoy is having to say no. As a salesperson, you naturally want to keep your clients happy, we’re people pleasers by nature! But sometimes, a piece of business just isn’t the right fit for the venue. Being a good account manager means being honest with your clients about why it won’t work and helping them find the best solution to ensure their event is a success.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
I’ll admit, that geography isn’t one of my strongest skills, so even something as simple as planning appointment routes to make the most of my days on the road can be a bit of a challenge. But recently, I discovered that ChatGPT can help with route planning, making it so much easier to maximize my time. All hail technology!
What’s been the best advice given to you?
The best advice I’ve received is to always be honest. It goes a long way in sales and is crucial for building meaningful relationships with clients. There’s no value in being a “yes person” if the operations team can’t actually deliver on what’s promised! Being transparent ensures trust and sets realistic expectations, making it easier to build long-term, successful partnerships.
What’s your favourite dish on the menu at the moment?
There’s so much to choose from that it’s hard to pick just one! For a quick and easy lunch, I’d recommend the Chicken Tikka sandwich with spiced mayonnaise. If you’re after something more substantial, the Butter Chicken Masala from our “Indus with Love” menu in the 1565 Bar is an absolute must-try. And let’s not forget the variety of Tapas options on the menu, the Salt and Black Pepper Fries are truly the chef’s kiss!
What are the catering options for delegates at Park Regis?
As you’d expect from a top-tier hotel, we cater to all types of events and palates. Popular choices include our Caribbean, World Food, and Street Food Buffet menus. For a more formal occasion, our European three-course banqueting menus provide a variety of delectable options.
What truly sets Park Regis apart in Birmingham is our in-house tandoor chefs, who have crafted the INDUS Banqueting menu. This exceptional offering is brimming with traditional dishes that celebrate the pan-Asian flavours of the majestic subcontinent, fitting for a city renowned as the home of curry!
For something unique, we also offer an INDUS-inspired afternoon tea, a delightful twist on our Classic option.
Do you have a favourite meeting /event room and why?
It has to be our Level 16 event spaces, the Sky Gallery and the Sky Loft! They’re such exceptional and versatile spaces, that lends to all types of events and can host up to 400 people in the Gallery and up to 150 in the Sky Loft.
With stunning concept lighting and breathtaking views of Birmingham City Centre from the floor-to-ceiling windows, these spaces offer an extraordinary backdrop for any event. Whether hosting a private dinner, an exhibition, or a networking and catering area for a large conference, delegates will be truly wowed.
What’s been the most memorable event held at Park Regis?
In the summer of 2022, Park Regis paused its regular hotel operations for an extraordinary reason: it was chosen as the only Birmingham hotel to become an athletes’ village for the Commonwealth Games!
Although I wasn’t part of the team at the time, nearly three years later, the excitement and pride are still evident when the team reminisces about the experience. Despite the added challenge of navigating multiple security checks for access, it was a truly remarkable opportunity to be part of such a globally celebrated event, providing care and hospitality to the incredible athletes competing in the Games.
What can a 24-hr delegate do in their downtime?
One of the great benefits of being in Birmingham is the vibrant, culturally rich city that’s full of things to do once the event wraps up! You can explore the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery or visit the largest library in Europe. For some fresh air, take a stroll around Brindley Place and the Canal Basin. Fun fact: Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice! And if shopping is on the agenda, you can’t miss The Bullring and Grand Central, home to high-end and high-street brands, plus plenty of restaurants and cafés to unwind in.
What do you do in your downtime?
With my three-year-old, my weekends are usually filled with all the boring adult jobs, along with swimming lessons, running around the park, and playing with his Thomas the Tank Engine set! I’m lucky to live so close to beautiful countryside, so we love taking walks around Cannock Chase and our local canals, soaking up the fresh air as much as we can. I also have a guilty pleasure of browsing Rightmove, dreaming up plans for when I win the lottery, surely I’m not the only one who does that?
Why should an event organiser pick your venues?
Location is one of the most important things to think about when picking a venue, and Park Regis Birmingham couldn’t be better placed. Right in the heart of the city, it’s easy for everyone to get to, whether they’re local or coming from further afield. It’s just 16 miles from Birmingham International Airport and only a 15-minute walk (or even shorter tram ride!) from Birmingham New Street Station, making it super convenient for guests travelling from anywhere.
Beyond the great location, Park Regis has 11 flexible meeting rooms with all the modern amenities you’d need. Whether it’s an intimate dinner, a big conference, or even private hire for a special event, there’s a space to suit every occasion.
What really makes us stand out, though, is the amazing service. From the first inquiry right through to after the event, the team is there to help every step of the way. They’ll make sure everything runs smoothly, so your event is not just successful but also truly memorable for all the right reasons.
Book your next meeting or event at Park Regis Birmingham.
01775 843410
reservations@findmeaconference.com