Organising events requires overview, quick decisions and always a focus on the customer. Simon Rastelli, manager at Hof van Aragon, knows that complex combination all too well. The family-run business in Lier has been organising events, meetings and dinners for more than 60 years. The challenge? Keeping everything running smoothly with different events in multiple rooms at the same time.
Like many event venues, Hof van Aragon started with a manual way of working. Quotations were prepared by hand and schedules were managed on paper, which hampered overview and efficiency. ‘We were working for 15 years with a system that was costing us more time than it was yielding,’ Simon explains. ‘We needed to find a way to work more efficiently.’
Faced with this growing challenge, he decided to look for a solution that would not only ease the workload, but also improve the customer experience. That search led Simon to MICE Operations’ software.
Personalised quotations in the blink of an eye
‘The biggest time saver? The quotations,’ states Simon. ‘Previously, we could spend days preparing a quote for a large event, especially if a lot of customisation was required. Now a quotation is prepared in just a few clicks. MICE fits perfectly with the conversations we have with clients during event preparations. The system thinks with us, making us work faster and more efficiently.’
Everything clear: from calendar to script
With six halls and a busy catering service, a good overview is incredibly important for Hof van Aragon. ‘The event dashboard is indispensable for us,’ says Simon. ‘We immediately see which rooms are available and can plan our catering seamlessly.’
They also notice the difference on the floor. ‘Each department gets only the information relevant to them. Changes are automatically reflected in the work lists, which prevents errors.’
A smart link to the accounting system
One of the biggest advantages for Court of Aragon is the linking of MICE with their accounting system. ‘Whereas we used to prepare all invoices by hand, this is now done automatically. This saves a huge amount of time and reduces the risk of errors,’ Simon says.
Moving from the manual process to an automated system saves Hof van Aragon a lot of time and has also improved their service. The team can now focus more on what they do best: creating unforgettable meetings. ‘With MICE, we work faster and can fully focus on personal attention for our guests. That’s what it’s all about in the end,’ Simon says with satisfaction.
Event management software for event planners – get the most out of your venue – MICE Operations
