Technical Visits
Book before arrival
Three choices - check them out below
Walk the arctic city of Skellefteå
- get some air and stretch your legs
June 2, 16.30
Guided Walk Through Skellefteå – Transformation, History and Life by the River
After a full day of conference sessions, fresh air and a walk through our fascinating host city might be exactly what you need. Join local guides for an inspiring afternoon walk along the Skellefte River and discover how Skellefteå has become one of Europe’s most talked-about transformation cities.
Start: 16:30 – Welcome House, City Hall
We begin at Welcome House in Skellefteå City Hall with a short introduction to the city’s rapid transformation journey, including talent attraction, relocation services, international recruitment and how Skellefteå has welcomed thousands of new residents in just a few years.
From there, we continue on foot through the city along the river.
During the walk, you will:
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Explore Nordanå and the inspiring SE26 Exhibition installation
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Pass the construction of Skellefteå’s new bridge
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Walk along the riverfront and see the development of Älvsbrinken
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View the Arctic Center of Energy (ACE) Powerhouse and the campus area across the river.
This is a chance to experience Skellefteå beyond the conference venue — to better understand the place, the people and the realities of managing rapid growth and transformation in northern Sweden.
The walk is expected to finish around 17:45, possibly slightly later depending on the group size and time spent at the Exhibition.
A perfect opportunity to stretch your legs, befor the Dinner Reception. Continue the conversations and experience the atmosphere of Skellefteå in the light of the northern summer evening.
Discover Skellefteå’s Innovation Ecosystem
Drop off att airport
June 3, 13.00 - 14.30
(drop off at airport or go back to Skellefteå)
Take our dedicated airport bus and join us for a visit to the Skellefteå Droneport
Visit Skellefteå Droneport on your way to the airport and discover how northern Sweden is driving innovation within sustainable aviation and future mobility. During the visit, you will learn more about Skellefteå’s collaborative innovation ecosystem, where Skellefteå Science City, the municipality, airport and local industry work together to accelerate sustainable growth and new technologies.
Highlights of the visit
Skellefteå Droneport
Located just outside the city center, Skellefteå Droneport is one of Europe’s largest city-close droneports, created for testing, development, training and commercialization of drones and related technologies.
With its Arctic climate, the site has also become an important hub for advanced winter testing.
Arctic Aviation Hub & Electric Aviation
The Droneport is part of Arctic Aviation Hub — a development program focused on accelerating sustainable aviation, including electric aircraft, hydrogen propulsion and drones.
Led by Skellefteå Science City together with regional partners, the initiative aims to position northern Sweden as a leading environment for sustainable aviation and future transport solutions.
A fascinating insight into how a smaller city can use innovation, sustainability and collaboration to shape the future.
This tour is dropping off passengers at the AIRPORT in time for the 15.30 flight to Stockholm June 3.
- If you Hop off at the airport make sure you bring all your luggage and belongings on the bus
Sara Kulturhus & ACE Powerhouse
June 3, 13-15
Behind the Scenes of Sara Kulturhus & ACE Powerhouse
For those staying a little longer in Skellefteå, we offer a special behind-the-scenes tour of the internationally recognised Sara Kulturhus together with Patrik Sundberg from Skellefteå Kraft.
Patrik has been deeply involved in the development of the building’s groundbreaking energy systems, including AI-driven optimisation, battery backup solutions and smart energy management. He is also closely connected to the development of ACE Powerhouse and will share insights into how Skellefteå is building future-ready environments for electrification, innovation and sustainable growth.
Sara Kulturhus
Sara Kulturhus is one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings — a 20-storey landmark built mainly from locally sourced timber from the forests surrounding Skellefteå. The building has become an international symbol of sustainable architecture and climate-smart urban development.
What makes the building especially unique is its intelligent energy system. Through AI technology, batteries, solar energy and collaboration with the city’s wider energy grid, the building continuously optimises and shares energy with surrounding buildings. Even the sprinkler system is powered by renewable energy instead of traditional diesel backup systems.
ACE Powerhouse
You will also get an introduction to ACE Powerhouse — awarded Sweden’s Environmental Building of the Year 2025 — a major new hub for research, innovation and testing within electrification and sustainable energy systems.
The building is designed as a living test environment for the future, combining circular construction methods, reused materials, digital testbeds and advanced energy technologies.
A fascinating opportunity to gain deeper insight into how Skellefteå is combining architecture, energy, AI and sustainability to shape the future of resilient cities.
