Call for Speakers
in 25 days
BuildIT - AI Bootcamps
planned future dates
24 Feb 2026, 24 Mar 2026, 28 Apr 2026, 26 May 2026, 23 Jun 2026, 28 Jul 2026, 25 Aug 2026, 22 Sep 2026, 27 Oct 2026, 24 Nov 2026
location
20 S. Sarah Street, St. Louis, MO 63108 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
website
techstl.com/
BuildIT is a free monthly training series designed to help Small Businesses, Startups, and Nonprofits confidently integrate Artificial Intelligence into their day-to-day operations. Hosted at CIC @ Cortex, each session features two focused 45-minute workshops tailored for business and nonprofit leaders who want practical, immediately usable AI strategies—not theory.
Presented through a partnership between TechSTL, Cortex, and CIC, the Bootcamps spotlight leading AI tools and real-world use cases across Marketing, Sales, Operations, Data Management, Team & Project Management, and Fundraising. Whether you are streamlining workflows, improving decision-making, or scaling impact, these sessions are built to help you move from experimentation to execution.
BuildIT AI Bootcamps are free and open to the public and take place on the first Tuesday of each month from 9:30–11:00 AM. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Seating is limited, and advance registration is required.
open, 30 days left
Call for Speakers
Call opens at 12:00 AM
20 Jan 2026
Call closes at 11:59 PM
28 Feb 2026
Call closes in Central Standard Time (UTC-06:00) timezone.
Closing time in your timezone () is .
Presenters are seasoned tech leaders who can deliver hands-on workshops on the integration of AI tools for leaders with an introductory to intermediate level of experience. Sessions are 45 minutes long and technical in nature, showcasing how the tools are utilized by organizations. Slidedecks are optional, but preferred.
Example session topics could include, but are not limited to:
1. AI 101 for Business & Nonprofit Leaders: From Curiosity to Capability
This workshop provides a practical introduction to Artificial Intelligence for leaders who want to understand what AI actually is, how it is being used today, and where it can deliver immediate value. Participants will explore common AI categories (generative AI, automation, analytics), real-world use cases, and a simple framework for identifying high-impact AI opportunities inside their organization.
2. Marketing Smarter with AI: Content, Campaigns, and Customer Insights
Learn how AI tools can dramatically improve marketing efficiency and effectiveness without increasing headcount. This session covers AI-powered content creation, audience segmentation, email optimization, and performance analysis using tools such as ChatGPT, Canva, HubSpot, and analytics platforms. Ideal for organizations looking to modernize their marketing stack.
3. AI for Sales & Business Development: Lead Generation, Proposals, and CRM Optimization
This workshop explores how AI can support sales teams and business development efforts by automating lead research, improving outreach, generating proposals, and enhancing CRM workflows. Attendees will walk through practical examples of AI-enabled sales pipelines that save time while improving conversion rates.
4. Operational Efficiency with AI: Automating Workflows and Reducing Admin Burden
Discover how AI can streamline internal operations by automating repetitive tasks, improving documentation, and optimizing workflows. This session focuses on real-world applications of AI for scheduling, reporting, process documentation, and task management—particularly valuable for lean teams and resource-constrained organizations.
5. Data Without the Headache: Using AI to Organize, Analyze, and Act on Your Data
Many organizations are data-rich but insight-poor. This workshop shows how AI tools can help clean, organize, summarize, and analyze data without requiring advanced technical skills. Attendees will explore AI-assisted dashboards, reporting tools, and decision-support use cases that turn data into action.
6. Managing Teams with AI: Productivity, Performance, and Collaboration Tools
AI is transforming how teams communicate, collaborate, and perform. This session introduces AI tools that support meeting summaries, performance tracking, documentation, and internal knowledge sharing. Designed for managers and team leads looking to increase productivity while reducing burnout.
7. Project Management in the AI Era: Planning, Tracking, and Execution at Scale
Learn how AI-enhanced project management tools can improve planning accuracy, timeline management, and risk mitigation. This workshop explores AI use cases within platforms such as Asana, Monday.com, and Notion, with practical examples tailored to cross-functional business and nonprofit teams.
8. Fundraising and Grant Writing with AI: Ethical, Effective, and Time-Saving Approaches
This session focuses on how nonprofits and mission-driven organizations can responsibly use AI to support fundraising, donor communications, and grant writing. Topics include prospect research, narrative drafting, compliance considerations, and maintaining authenticity while leveraging AI tools.
9. Choosing the Right AI Tools: Building an AI Stack That Fits Your Organization
With hundreds of AI tools on the market, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. This workshop provides a framework for evaluating, selecting, and piloting AI tools based on organizational goals, budget, security, and staff capacity. Attendees will leave with a roadmap for building a right-sized AI toolkit.
10. From Pilot to Practice: Implementing AI Responsibly Across Your Organization
Moving from experimentation to adoption requires more than just tools. This workshop covers change management, staff training, governance, data privacy, and ethical considerations for AI implementation. Ideal for leaders who want to scale AI use in a thoughtful, sustainable way.
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