The AI-Powered Business: Where Humans and Agents Work Side by Side
About this Event
About the event
This workshop is proudly part of the 2026 Geelong Small Business Festival, delivered by the City of Greater Geelong in partnership with the Geelong Chamber of Commerce. Every year the festival brings our business community together for a jam-packed week of learning, connecting, and getting inspired, with 60+ events across 5 days.
We're running this session at the Geelong Small Business Hub at Wurriki Nyal in the heart of the CBD (137–149 Mercer Street, Geelong). It's a relaxed, workshop-style setup, so bring your questions, your real business headaches, and a coffee. You'll be sitting alongside other local owners figuring this AI thing out together.
Everyone's talking about AI. Almost nobody's showing you what to actually do with it.
If you're a small business owner who's equal parts curious and sceptical about AI, this workshop is for you. No hype, no jargon, no "you'll be left behind" scare tactics. Just a practical, hands-on session on how real Geelong businesses are using AI and automation right now, and how you can too.
In 90 minutes, we'll cover:
- What AI agents actually are (in plain English, minus the buzzwords)
- Where they save you real time and money across quoting, admin, customer service, and follow-ups
- Real local examples of businesses that went from drowning in busywork to getting hours back every week
- Where humans still win, and why the goal is AI working alongside your team, not replacing it
- Your first move, so you leave with a plan you can actually start this week
What you'll walk away with
This isn't a sit-and-listen talk. You'll leave with a clear picture of where AI fits in your business, a shortlist of tools worth your time, and a simple first step. The kind of clarity that's worth a lot more than a $50 ticket once those hours start adding up.
Who should come along?
Small business owners, operators, and teams who want the real story on AI. Whether you've never touched a chatbot or you've been quietly experimenting at midnight, you'll leave with clarity and a plan.
About your host
Aamir Qutub is the founder and CEO of Enterprise Monkey, a Geelong AI and web agency, and author of The CEO Who Mocked AI. He works with businesses across the region to cut through the hype and put AI to practical use. He also reckons Geelong is quietly becoming one of the most exciting places in the country to build a business.
Only 74 seats, and this one tends to fill. Grab your ticket early.
☕ Come for the AI, stay for the chai chat afterwards.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
AUD 50.00
