The Future is Now: AI for Your People-First Business

Discover how artificial intelligence can enhance your business while keeping your employees at the forefront of innovation!

About this Event



The Future is Now: AI for Your People-First Business

Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 8:30 AM–4:30 PM CDT

BioVentures Center | Coralville, Iowa

In an era of accelerating change, AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a practical tool for building smarter, more human-centered workplaces. This impactful, full-day retreat is designed for small business leaders, HR professionals, and forward-thinking managers who want to explore the power of AI without losing sight of people.

Whether you’re just getting started or ready to refine how AI supports your work, this experience offers real tools, collaborative thinking, and a personalized plan you can take back to your business.

The entire day is free of confusing technical jargon—just plain-language, people-first learning.

You’ll move between hands-on tool sessions and interactive workshops, using your workflows as the foundation to test and take first steps toward building your own AI integration plan.

Led by Russ Curry, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, founder of Wide Prairie HR, and supported by a highly qualified team of facilitators, the retreat blends clarity, creativity, and action.

What You’ll Experience:

• Expanded tool sessions on ChatGPT, Notion AI, NotebookLM, and Beautiful.ai—with live demos and real-world use cases
• Collaborative small-group workshops to brainstorm, redesign, and refine your workflows
• A future-focused session on generative AI, intelligent agents, and smart prompting
• A candid discussion on ethics, copyright, and responsible AI use in the workplace
• A bold, energizing closing session:“Ruzz Lightyear Looks at Infinity and Beyond”—featuring key takeaways, a final “homework” challenge, and a forward-looking launch into your next phase of AI adoption

Lunch, printed materials, and high-speed Wi-Fi are included.

Bring your laptop—and your curiosity!

Agenda


🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:30 AM
AI Tools 101 – ChatGPT for Everyday Work

Info: A hands-on tour of how ChatGPT can support daily business and HR needs—writing policies, job ads, internal comms, and more. Learn prompt tips, use-case examples, and where to start safely.

🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Breakout Workshop #1 – Finding the Friction

Info: Workshop and discuss: What feels inefficient in your workflow? Where are your process bottlenecks? Identify one area to explore for AI support.

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
AI Tools 102 – Organize Your Brain with Notion AI & NotebookLM

Info: Get deeper with these powerful tools:

• Notion AI for SOPs, planning, training, onboarding

• NotebookLM to interact with your own docs for summaries, Q&A, and content support

🕑: 10:50 AM - 11:20 AM
Breakout Workshop #2 – Sketching Smarter Systems

Info: Outline an AI-enhanced version of your process. Using simple templates, sketch out the change and identify real-world steps forward.

🕑: 11:20 AM - 12:10 PM
AI Tools 103 – Present Like a Pro with Beautiful.ai

Info: Learn how to use AI-assisted design tools to create beautiful, professional slides for onboarding, training, reporting, or proposals—fast and frustration-free.

🕑: 12:55 PM - 01:40 PM
AI and the Human Element – Ethics, IP & Responsible Use

Info: This session brings the focus back to people. We’ll explore AI risks and responsibilities: copyright, transparency, bias, and how to stay true to your company’s values.

🕑: 01:40 PM - 02:25 PM
Breakout Workshop #3 – Plan & Polish

Info: Share your rough draft and thoughts with peers. Receive input, build confidence, and refine your workflow or AI concept so it’s ready for real-world testing.

🕑: 02:25 PM - 03:15 PM
Future Snapshot – Generative AI, Smart Prompts & Agents

Info: What’s coming next—and why it matters.

In plain language, we’ll explore emerging tools like intelligent agents, next-gen prompting, and AI that goes beyond task support. You’ll leave with a clear, non-technical understanding of where AI is heading—and why knowing this now can help you make smarter, people-first decisions tomorrow.

🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:00 PM
Closing Session – Ruzz Lightyear Looks at Infinity and Beyond

Info: An energizing wrap-up with key takeaways, a final “homework” challenge, and a look toward what’s nextl—pointing you forward on your AI journey.

Also check out other Workshops in Coralville, Contests in Coralville.