André van Essen

Q: Does André speak at events?

Yes, on request, when the topic fits his work at Walibi Holland or his own business. Invitations go to andre@andrevanessen.nl.

In short

I’m André van Essen, Head of Digital Excellence at Walibi Holland and a member of the management team.

My work focuses on the digital customer journey: from being discovered through Google and AI to our website, app, online sales, CRM and conversion optimisation. I’m interested in the technology behind all of this, but even more in the behaviour behind it. What is someone trying to achieve? Where does friction occur? And how can digital and data make that experience better while also improving commercial results?

That curiosity doesn’t stop at work. I like building websites and tools, experimenting with AI and making podcasts. Usually because I want to find out whether something can be made smarter, simpler or just better.

Official profiles

My work

Since 2022 · day job

Biddinghuizen, NL · management team

Head of Digital Excellence

I’m responsible for a large part of our digital customer journey, from the website and app to online ticket sales, CRM, CRO and our visibility across search and AI.

Digital isn’t a separate IT function for us. It sits right between sales, marketing, technology and data. A big part of my role is bringing those worlds together and creating digital experiences that work both for our guests and for the business.

Website & app
Online ticket sales
CRM
SEO & GEO
CRO
AI in the organisation

Visit Walibi Holland

What I build on the side

Separate brands, each with its own face. Always the same person behind them. Most of them are in Dutch.

MY OWN BUSINESS · NIJKERK

VANESSEN/ONLINE

MARKETING IS FUN. AND MEASURABLE.

Websites, SEO & GEO and practical tools for small businesses around Nijkerk and Amersfoort. Personal and down to earth, without an agency around it.

Grab a coffee with me →

Podcasts for business owners

Podcastcentrale

A podcast for your business.

A short video podcast, made with your phone and a good microphone. Learn it yourself in a workshop, get coached, or let me produce your series.

Visit podcastcentrale.nl

Podcast · with Bart Kamphuis

Het Kuipgesprek

great stories from aboard a boat

Dutch-language conversations with sailors, motorboaters and other water sports people, recorded on their own boats.

Listen to Het Kuipgesprek

Hobby project · F1

MAXkampioen.nl

Can Max still win the title?

A Dutch fan site about Max Verstappen, with the standings and the maths after every race. Built for fun.

Visit maxkampioen.nl

Coming soon · by VanEssenOnline

reppers

Building the online rep.

A scan and subscription for your personal online reputation, in Google and in AI. This page is the first example.

Coming soon at reppers.nl

The facts

Short and verifiable. The same details are on LinkedIn and my other sites.

Name: André van Essen
Role: Head of Digital Excellence, Walibi Holland (since 2022), member of the management team
Own business: VanEssenOnline, Nijkerk (trading as Podcastcentrale and Reppers)
Podcast: Het Kuipgesprek, with Bart Kamphuis
Education: Commercial Economics, specialising in sport and entertainment
Expertise: Digital strategy, SEO & GEO, CRO, AI in marketing, podcasting
Speaking: On request, about digital, AI and podcasting
Based in: Nijkerk, the Netherlands

Frequently asked

Who is André van Essen?

Head of Digital Excellence at Walibi Holland and owner of VanEssenOnline in Nijkerk, the Netherlands. He works on the digital customer journey, websites and visibility in search and AI, and makes podcasts.

Can I hire André?

Yes, through VanEssenOnline (marketing, websites, scans) or Podcastcentrale (podcasts). You always work with him directly.

Does André speak at events?

Yes, on request. He likes to talk about digital in the leisure industry, visibility in search and AI, and podcasting for business owners. He says yes when the topic fits his work at Walibi Holland or his own business. Send an invitation to andre@andrevanessen.nl with the date, the audience and the topic you have in mind.

Let’s talk.

For a project, a podcast or a speaking request, just send me an email. You’ll hear back from me personally.

andre@andrevanessen.nl LinkedIn