Anna Maria Island Chamber Lunch & Learn to Help Local Businesses Build a Practical AI Action Plan on August 20
Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses operate, but for many small business owners, the biggest challenge is knowing where to begin.
On Thursday, August 20, 2026, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will host a special Lunch & Learn seminar focused on AI readiness for local businesses, presented by Sande Caplin & Associates at The Center of Anna Maria Island.
Rather than focusing on complicated technology or technical jargon, the seminar is designed to help local business owners identify practical ways artificial intelligence can improve everyday operations while keeping people firmly in control.
The theme of the program is simple:
Bring one business challenge. Leave with an AI action plan.
Participants are encouraged to arrive with a real issue they face in their business, such as repetitive administrative work, inconsistent customer follow-up, marketing challenges, or time-consuming daily tasks. During the workshop, attendees will explore ways AI tools may help make those processes more efficient.
AI Readiness for Local Businesses
The program will focus on practical areas where AI can provide immediate value, including:
- Identifying repetitive work that may be automated or simplified
- Improving customer and prospect follow-up
- Creating more efficient business workflows
- Exploring responsible ways to incorporate AI into daily operations
- Understanding where human oversight remains essential
One of the key messages of the seminar is that artificial intelligence does not have to replace employees or eliminate the personal relationships that are so important to small businesses.
Instead, AI can be used as another business tool — one that can assist with routine tasks and allow owners and employees to spend more time working with customers, developing new ideas, and growing their businesses.
Lunch Followed by Hands-On Workshop
The August 20 event will begin with lunch from noon to 1 p.m., followed by the AI workshop from 1 to 3 p.m.
The additional workshop time is intended to give attendees an opportunity to move beyond simply hearing about AI and begin thinking about how it can be applied to their own businesses.
The seminar will be presented by Sande Caplin & Associates, a web design and development company that works with businesses and nonprofit organizations on websites, digital marketing, technology, and online strategy.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly incorporated into software, search engines, marketing platforms, customer service systems, and productivity applications, understanding how to use these tools effectively is becoming an important part of running a modern business.
For smaller local businesses, the opportunity can be especially significant. Even modest improvements in scheduling, communication, content creation, customer follow-up, and administrative tasks can save valuable time.
Event Details
AMI Chamber Lunch & Learn — AI Readiness for Local Businesses
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Lunch: Noon–1 p.m. Workshop: 1–3 p.m.
Location: The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria Island
Presented by: Sande Caplin & Associates
Registration deadline: August 18
Cost: Anna Maria Island Chamber members — $30; non-members — $50
To register: (941) 778-1541
The seminar is designed for business owners, managers, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in understanding how artificial intelligence can be incorporated into their organization without losing the human element that customers value.
For businesses wondering whether AI is something they should be paying attention to, the answer is becoming increasingly clear. The more important question is how to use it wisely.
The August 20 Lunch & Learn offers Anna Maria Island-area businesses an opportunity to start answering that question with something more useful than another technology presentation — a practical plan they can take back to work and begin using.
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