On the historic Landgoed Mookerheide estate, nestled in the woods between Molenhoek and Groesbeek, you'll find the remarkable Jachtslot Mookerheide. After an exstensive restoration, the castle reopened its doors in 2023. Previously known mainly as a restaurant and private event venue, the location has since expanded its focus to include more corporate meetings and business events.
With this repositioning came not only a different type of inquiry, but also a new way of working. Lianne, Sales Manager at Jachtslot Mookerheide, experienced this transition firsthand: “ Jachtslot is such a beautiful and unique building, inside and out. You want that to shine through in your proposals as well,” she says.
However, the software they were using at the time could no longer support that ambition.
From an outdated system to a modern approach
Previously, Jachtslot Mookerheide, which shares ownership with Van der Valk, worked with a system primarily designed for hotel reservations. For meetings and events, it offered limited flexibility. "Our proposals were basically Word documents with plain text, no visuals, and no option for digital signing. That didn't reflect what we stand for or what we sell," Lianne explains.
At the end of 2024, the venue decided to switch to MICE Operations. This system enables professional presentation, digital workflows and complete overview in one central environment. “It works much faster than what we had before, and we no longer have to go back and forth via email all the time. That is a big plus,” Lianne says.
Requests come in via email, phone, or through the online RFP tool on the website. With MICE, all requests, communication, and proposals are stored together. “What I really appreciate is that all communication is centralized. You instantly see what a client has done: whether they've responded, approved something or if I still need to take action,” Lianne adds.
Proposals as an extension of the experience
The biggest win for Jachtslot Mookerheide lies in the proposal process. “Our proposals now truly show what it looks like here. What clients see in the proposal matches what they experience on our location,” Lianne says enthusiastically. Videos, photos, and a clear structure help potential clients immediately connect with the venue. “We regularly receive feedback from clients saying: what a great proposal and how convenient that everything can be signed digitally.”
Our proposals now truly show what it looks like here. What the client sees in the proposal matches what they experience on our location.
Lianne​​​​
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One platform for the entire team
Within the team, MICE is used extensively. Corporate events, weddings, and private bookings are distributed among colleagues, while visibility remains structured and role-based. Sales has full access, planners can monitor progress, and departments such as the kitchen have view-only access. “Everyone sees exactly what they need, without everyone being able to change everything. That works very well for us,” Lianne explains.
Automated reminders and status updates also create internal peace of mind for the team.
“In the old system, I had to manually generate lists to see what had expired. Now I receive automatic reminders and everyone can instantly see which events have been confirmed.”
“When in doubt? Go for it.”
Lianne has also experienced the difference personally: “I have received proposals from other venues for private events where I thought: this could look so much better. That's when you realize how important it really is.”
Her advice to venues still hesitating about automation and switching to MICE Operations is clear. "Just do it. It's user-friendly, looks professional, and everything is in one place. You see what you're doing, and what your client is doing. That's a real step forward for your entire event planning process.”
