Productivity + Innovation
A SmarterX Event Series | July 16, 2026 | Columbus, Ohio
Register for the AI for Business BootcampTurn AI potential into real business impact.
The AI for Business Bootcamp series is an immersive, one-day learning experience designed to help professionals move beyond experimentation and start building real AI-powered workflows, systems, and strategies.
And our first stop is in Columbus, OH.
This series is led by Paul Roetzer (Founder and CEO of SmarterX) and Mike Kaput (Chief Content Officer, SmarterX), co-hosts of The Artificial Intelligence Show. These Bootcamps combine expert instruction with structured, hands-on exercises, so participants leave with practical frameworks and assets they can apply immediately.
Two tracks. One day. Real outcomes.
Seats are limited to maintain a hands-on learning environment.

AI for Business Bootcamp - Columbus Agenda
8:30am - 9:30am - Welcome and Networking
9:30am - 10am - The State of AI for Business Opening Keynote (Learn More)
We are at the dawn of the most profound technological shift in human history.
AI is changing everything about how we communicate, sell, learn, teach, design products, start and grow businesses, hire and develop talent, manage tech stacks, build strategies, allocate resources, and drive performance.
Big tech is battling for AI supremacy, while pouring billions into AI infrastructure, models, and applications. AI startups are building tools that can generate text, images, videos, audio, and code.
Businesses are scrambling to evolve and innovate. Entrepreneurs are emerging from everywhere to launch AI native companies that will disrupt industries.
AI is creating boundless opportunities, while sowing chaos and uncertainty in society. And this is the least capable AI we will ever know.
Come explore what’s possible with Paul Roetzer, a leading AI author, entrepreneur and speaker. You’ll learn what matters now to your company, and consider what may come next.
10am - 1pm - AI for Productivity Workshop (Learn More)
The AI Productivity Workshop is a hands-on, tool-agnostic experience designed for professionals and teams who are ready to stop experimenting with AI and start systematically using it to transform how they work.
In a single session, participants learn the core AI capabilities reshaping every business function, build a personalized use-case workbook for their specific role, and leave with a prioritized action plan they can execute immediately, regardless of whether their organization uses ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or another platform.
1pm - 1:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - 4:30pm - AI for Innovation Workshop (Learn More)
The AI Innovation Workshop is an immersive, half-day experience designed for forward-thinking leaders ready to harness the true transformative power of AI. While many organizations focus on AI for efficiency gains, this workshop pushes beyond conventional boundaries, empowering you to reimagine your business model, revolutionize your industry, and unlock unprecedented growth opportunities.
4:30pm - 5:30pm - Closing Reception
Why this event
AI is transforming how organizations operate. But most leaders and teams are still figuring out how to translate AI potential into real business impact.
The AI for Business Bootcamp is designed to close that gap. This isn’t a tech conference - this is an executive working session.
Professionals from all functions within an organization learn, build, and collaborate on real AI applications they can take back to their organizations immediately.
You will leave with:
- Working AI workflows
- Strategic frameworks for adoption
- New ideas for efficiency and growth
- Connections with AI-forward peers
The State of AI for Business
We are at the dawn of the most profound technological shift in human history.
AI is changing everything about how we communicate, sell, learn, teach, design products, start and grow businesses, hire and develop talent, manage tech stacks, build strategies, allocate resources, and drive performance.
Big tech is battling for AI supremacy, while pouring billions into AI infrastructure, models, and applications.
AI startups are building tools that can generate text, images, videos, audio, and code.
Businesses are scrambling to evolve and innovate.
Entrepreneurs are emerging from everywhere to launch AI native companies that will disrupt industries.
AI is creating boundless opportunities, while sowing chaos and uncertainty in society.
And this is the least capable AI we will ever know.
Come explore what’s possible with Paul Roetzer, a leading AI author, entrepreneur and speaker. You’ll learn what matters now to your company, and consider what may come next.
At the end of this keynote, you will walk away with:
- What matters most in AI right now—and what leaders can’t afford to ignore
- Where AI can drive efficiency, growth, and competitive advantage across your business
- A practical framework to become a more AI-forward organization
- How AI will reshape industries, roles, and business models in the near term
The AI Productivity Workshop with Mike Kaput
The AI Productivity Workshop is a hands-on, tool-agnostic experience designed for professionals and teams who are ready to stop experimenting with AI and start systematically using it to transform how they work.
In a single session, participants learn the core AI capabilities reshaping every business function, build a personalized use-case workbook for their specific role, and leave with a prioritized action plan they can execute immediately, regardless of whether their organization uses ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or another platform.
Why Attend?
Most teams have access to AI tools and may be piloting individual use cases, but lack a structured approach to systematically increase productivity with the technology.
This workshop will change that. Participants leave this workshop with a prioritized list of their highest-value AI use cases, a clear understanding of what today's tools can do, and a concrete, role-specific plan for what to do now and in the future with AI, built during the session.
What You'll Gain
Through a combination of capability briefings, live demonstrations, and interactive working sessions, participants will:
- Understand the core AI capabilities reshaping work today, including: general-purpose models, custom assistants (GPTs/Gems), reasoning and deep research, and AI agents
- Build a populated, prioritized AI use case workbook for their specific role using SmarterX’s proven Use Case Model
- Learn to map AI capabilities to their actual workflows, identifying where AI can save time, improve quality, or eliminate manual steps
- Gain hands-on experience applying AI tools to real problems from their own work
- Leave with a personal AI action plan of top AI initiatives ranked by impact, with concrete next steps
Key Questions Addressed
- What are the core AI capabilities I need to understand, regardless of which tools my organization uses?
- Where in my specific role and workflows will AI have the biggest productivity impact?
- How do I move from experimenting with AI to systematically integrating it into my daily work?
- How do I map AI capabilities to my actual workflows to find the highest-impact opportunities?
- How do I build a business case for AI adoption that leadership will support?
Workshop Format
- AI Capabilities Briefing
- Use Case Discovery and Prioritization
- Workflow Mapping
- Live Demonstrations
- Interactive Working Sessions
- Group Discussion and Q&A
Outcomes and Deliverables
- Populated AI Use Case Workbook with prioritized rankings
- AI Capabilities Reference Guide
- Workflow Mapping Framework
Who Should Attend
Professionals at every level, including individual contributors, managers, directors, VPs, and executives across all business functions. No technical background required. No specific tool access required, except for a free ChatGPT account. Particularly valuable when teams attend together.
AI Innovation Workshop with Paul Roetzer
The AI Innovation Workshop is an immersive, half-day experience designed for forward-thinking leaders ready to harness the true transformative power of AI. While many organizations focus on AI for efficiency gains, this workshop pushes beyond conventional boundaries, empowering you to reimagine your business model, revolutionize your industry, and unlock unprecedented growth opportunities.
Why Attend?
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, merely adopting AI for productivity isn't enough. The real competitive advantage lies in leveraging AI to drive innovation, create new value propositions, and capture emerging markets. This workshop is your gateway to staying ahead of the curve and positioning your organization as an industry leader.
What You'll Gain
Through interactive sessions, expert-led discussions, and collaborative exercises, participants will:
- Develop a strategic vision for AI-driven innovation within your organization
- Explore cutting-edge AI technologies and their potential applications
- Learn methodologies for ideating and validating AI-powered solutions
- Acquire tools to assess and prioritize AI initiatives for maximum impact
- Craft strategies to overcome implementation challenges and foster an innovation culture
Key Questions Addressed
The workshop is structured around critical strategic questions, including:
- How can AI redefine the boundaries of what's possible for our business?
- What emerging AI technologies should we be preparing for?
- How can we leverage AI to create smarter, more valuable products and services?
- What opportunities exist for AI-driven disruption in our industry?
- How can AI help us tap into new markets and revolutionize our go-to-market strategies?
Workshop Format
- Interactive Sessions: Engage in hands-on activities that challenge your thinking and spark creativity.
- Case Studies: Analyze real-world examples of successful AI-driven innovations across industries.
- Guided Ideation: Generate and refine ideas for AI applications specific to your business context.
- Strategic Planning: Develop actionable roadmaps for implementing AI innovations.
Outcomes and Deliverables
By the end of the workshop, your team will have:
- A prioritized list of AI-driven innovation opportunities specific to your organization
- A framework for evaluating and implementing AI initiatives
- Actionable insights on industry trends and future AI capabilities
- Strategies for fostering an AI-driven innovation culture within your organization
- A comprehensive report summarizing key findings, ranked opportunities, and next steps
Who Should Attend
This workshop is ideal for:
- C-suite executives and senior leadership teams
- Innovation and strategy directors
- Product development leaders
- Technology and digital transformation executives
Event Format
- Expert-led instruction
- Hands-on workshops
- Structured working sessions
- Peer collaboration
- Networking with AI-forward professionals
- Closing reception
Location
Hilton Columbus at Easton
3900 Chagrin Dr, Columbus, OH 43219
Help Us Bring the Next
AI for Business Bootcamp
to Your City
We’re launching in Columbus, Ohio, with more cities coming soon. Tell us where you are and join the waitlist to get early access when we’re nearby. Your input helps determine where we go next.
FAQs
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Who Should Attend?
This event is ideal for:
- Directors, VPs, and team leads in operations, sales, marketing, product, and customer experience
- Innovation, strategy, and digital transformation leaders
- High-performing managers and professionals looking to apply AI in their day-to-day work
Attendees typically:
- Are already experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini
- Feel pressure to better understand and use AI in their role
- Want practical, real-world applications, not theory
- Need clarity on how to move from experimentation to implementation
- Are interested in exploring how AI can drive innovation, new value creation, and competitive advantage within their organization
It’s especially valuable for:
- Teams attending together who want to align on how to use AI across their organization
- Individuals who want to bring back immediate wins and actionable ideas to their company
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What Will I Walk Away With?
You’ll leave with more than ideas. You’ll leave with real outputs and a clear path forward, including:
- Real AI workflows you can use immediately
- A clear understanding of how AI applies to your role
- A framework for applying AI across your team
- Practical experience with tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and more
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How Is This Different from Other AI Events?
This is not a traditional conference or lecture-based event.
The Bootcamp is:
- Hands-on and interactive
- Focused on real-world business applications
- Designed for immediate implementation
You’ll gain both:
- Strategic insight through the State of AI for Business
- Practical skills by building workflows and strategic plans during the day
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Do You Offer Group or Team Pricing?
Yes. We offer $200 off each additional attendee after the first when you register as a group.
For groups of 10 or more, email cathy.mcphillips@smarterx.ai for custom pricing. -
What Should I Bring?
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A laptop (required for hands-on activities)
- Paid access to your preferred AI tool, such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or another platform
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Do I Need a Paid LLM Account to Participate?
Yes. You will need paid access to an AI tool such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or another platform to fully participate in hands-on activities.
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Is This Event Right for Non-Technical Professionals?
Yes. This event is designed specifically for non-technical business professionals.
All sessions are built for professionals across functions. No coding or technical background is required.
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Is Parking Available at the Venue?
Yes. The Hilton Columbus at Easton offers on-site parking complimentary for event attendees.
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Will Sessions Be Recorded?
No. This is a live, interactive experience designed for in-person participation.
A core part of the Bootcamp is the opportunity to learn alongside peers, exchange ideas, and work through real-world applications together. Many of the most valuable moments come from live discussions and hands-on collaboration that can’t be replicated in a recording.To support open conversation, we do not record sessions. This creates a more private, trusted environment where attendees can ask questions, share challenges, and explore ideas more freely.
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Which Meals Are Provided?
We provide meals and refreshments throughout the day, including:
- Coffee and tea during morning check-in
- Light refreshments during morning break
- Lunch
- A closing happy hour reception with hors d’oeuvres and beverages
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I’m Already Advanced with AI. Is This for Me?
Yes. The Bootcamp is designed for professionals who are already using AI and want to go further.
Many attendees come in with experience using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, but are looking to:
- Build more advanced workflows
- Stay current with rapidly evolving capabilities
- Apply AI more strategically across their team or organization
In addition to hands-on sessions, the event includes a State of AI briefing and real-world use cases that help you understand what’s changing and how to stay ahead.
If you’re looking to move beyond basic use cases and deepen how you apply AI in a business context, this Bootcamp is built for you.
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I’m New to AI. Is This for Me?
Possibly, but it depends on your level of familiarity and goals.
The Bootcamp is designed for professionals with some exposure to AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, or Gemini) who are ready to move into more practical, hands-on applications.
You’ll get the most value if you:
- Have tried AI tools at least a few times
- Understand basic concepts like prompting
- Are ready to apply AI to real work scenarios
If you’re completely new to AI, this experience may feel fast-paced. Reach out to cathy.mcphillips@smarterx.ai for help.
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Is There a Discounted Hotel Room Block?
Because this is a single-day event, we have not secured a discounted hotel room block. If you plan to stay overnight, you are welcome to book directly with the Hilton Columbus at Easton or explore nearby accommodations that best fit your needs.
About SmarterX
SmarterX was introduced by Paul Roetzer in 2022 as the consulting arm of Marketing AI Institute, and spun out as its own company in 2024.
While we offer limited consulting and advisory services, the SmarterX business model is designed to prioritize one-to-many initiatives that affect the largest number of leaders and organizations possible, as quickly as possible.
SmarterX looks to drive efficiencies, productivity, innovation, and growth in all areas of business, but focuses on marketing, sales, and service as the primary drivers of value creation.
Marketing AI Institute continues to cater to marketing practitioners and leaders through content, courses and events, including the Marketing AI Conference (MAICON), its flagship annual event.






