Chris van Vleuten
Leader of Destination AI.
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Turning AI Into Real Place Advantage
Chris van Vleuten
The conversation about how AI can be used by cities, destinations, regions or countries is sometimes abstract, very technical or too overwhelming, then Chris van Vleuten walks into the room and makes everything clear.
As the founder of Destinatie.ai, one of Europe’s leading platforms for applied AI in tourism, city marketing and destination management, he works exactly where today’s places stand: at the intersection of technology, competitiveness and real human needs.
Over the past years, Chris has helped cities, regions, DMOs and developers realise one essential truth: AI is no longer something you prepare for but something you use. And the places that start now will shape the decade ahead.
At PLACExNordic 2026, Chris brings both inspiration and precision. His speach explores how generative AI is already transforming the fundamentals of modern place development — from talent attraction and visitor communication to stakeholder engagement, branding and regional competitiveness.
He shows what is possible, but also what is practical. And because Chris never stops at theory, his workshop takes participants directly into hands-on exploration. You will build an AI opportunity map for your own place, work with tools designed for destination and city marketing, and leave with a clear understanding of what true organisational AI adoption requires.
Chris combines a pioneer’s curiosity with a teacher’s clarity and a practitioner’s realism. He turns complexity into confidence — helping places move from adapting to advancing.
At a moment when every place is searching for its next step, Chris helps you take it.
Photo: Älvsbacka, Jonas Wästling
More about Kristina Sundin Jonsson
As the Chief Executive Officer of Skellefteå Municipality, Kristina Sundin Jonsson leads the ambitious development agenda, driving innovation, sustainable growth, and large-scale collaboration between industry, academia, and society.
With extensive boardroom and leadership experience, Kristina has served on the boards of municipal companies, regional development organizations, and national level, for example Kommuninvest in Sweden AB, Adda Inköpscentral AB, and since 2024 she is also a government-appointed member of the advisory body at the Swedish Agency for Digital Government (Digg). Through these national assignments, she has contributed to shaping strategies in areas such as municipal finance, procurement, and digital governance. Her ability to navigate complex challenges while uniting stakeholders behind a common vision has made her a recognized leader far beyond Skellefteå.
Kristina has been nominated several times as one of Sweden’s most outstanding leaders in the public sector. Notably, she was shortlisted for “Årets offentliga ledare” (Public Leader of the Year) by Dagens Samhälle, and she has been highlighted among the most influential leaders in Swedish local government. These recognitions reflect her proven track record in driving transformation, building strong organizational cultures, and showing courageous leadership in times of rapid change.
At PLACExNordic, Kristina will share her unique insights from leading one of Europe’s most dynamic municipalities through extraordinary growth. Her talk will spotlight how visionary leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and a clear focus on sustainability can empower communities to thrive in a global transformation.