AI for Small Business Growth
Practical ways owners and lean teams use AI for marketing, sales, and the busywork that eats your week.
Nov 4–5, 2026·Uptown Charlotte, NC
Stop reading about AI. Spend two days using it.
AI Friendly Summit is two days of hands-on workshops, real case studies and straight answers for business owners, professionals and teams across the Carolinas. Beginners are welcome.
Early-bird pricing ends October 31, 2026. General Admission goes to $149 after that.
Doors open in
November 4–5, 2026
- ~250attendees from across NC & SC
- 2 daysWednesday & Thursday
- 4 tracksbusiness, career, enterprise, hands-on
- 30+classroom sessions plus keynotes
Presented by the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce · Main Title Sponsor Kynex · at The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City
Pick your path
Four tracks. Move between them all day.
Every session is built around one question: what can you do with this on Monday?
AI for Career Growth
The skills that make you the go-to AI person at work, whatever your role, and how to show them off.
AI for Enterprise Growth
Rolling AI out across real teams: governance, adoption, and the use cases that actually pay off.
AI Hands-On Workshops
Laptop open, building along with an instructor. You leave with things you made, not just notes.
On the agenda
Real sessions. People you can learn from.
Included with General Admission and VIP. All times are Eastern.
Thursday, Nov 5 · 10:30 a.m.–noon ET
Vibe to Video: Create AI Ads That Pop
James Turner
View session details →Thursday, Nov 5 · 9:40–10:20 a.m. ET
Clicks, Clients & AI
Jennifer Schneider
View session details →Thursday, Nov 5 · 2:20–3:00 p.m. ET
Mind Games: How AI Is Changing Us
Kendra King
View session details →Is this for you?
You belong here if…
- You know AI matters but haven't found the time to really learn it
- You run a business and want hours back every week
- You want to bring AI skills to your next review or job search
- You lead a team and need a plan, not more hype
- You're already using AI and want to go deeper with people who get it
What's included
Two full days, one ticket
- Four tracks running both days: 30+ classroom sessions
- Opening panels, afternoon keynotes and closing speakers
- An evening networking party plus an outdoor lounge with music
- The event app: your schedule, maps and every announcement
- Beginner-friendly sessions alongside advanced ones
Early-bird pricing ends October 31, 2026
Choose your pass
Checkout takes about a minute. Your ticket lands in your inbox right away.
Can't make it to Charlotte?
Watch every room live for $49
The virtual ticket streams the keynotes, all four tracks and the workshops live to your phone or computer, both days.
Questions
Good to know
Do I need to be technical?
No. There are approachable sessions for people newer to AI alongside advanced technical tracks, so beginners and experts each have a room.
What's the difference between General Admission and VIP?
General Admission gets you into every session, workshop and keynote on both days. VIP adds catered lunch both days, the networking dinner the night before, priority seating, the private VIP lounge, and access to recorded content. VIP is buy one, get one free, so bring a friend.
Is food included?
Catered lunch is included for VIP. General Admission attendees get an hour-long break to grab food nearby; the 7th Street Public Market is a short walk across First Ward Park.
Where is it, and where do I park?
The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 East 9th Street in Uptown Charlotte. Parking isn't included with your ticket; the general lot is at 422 E. 9th Street. The Lynx Blue Line 9th Street Station is about half a block away.
Can I buy for my team?
Yes. Choose how many tickets you need and check out once. We'll email you a private link to add each person's name and email afterwards.
What if I can't make it?
All ticket sales are final, but you can transfer your ticket to someone else at no charge before the event starts. Just contact us.
Can I pay by check instead?
Yes. You can register directly through the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce or Kynex and skip the online fee. Email james@kynexpro.com to arrange it.
November 4–5, 2026 · Charlotte
The people figuring out AI in the Carolinas will be in one building.
Be one of them. Tickets start at $99 until October 31, 2026.