RDU SMB Meetup
RDU Small-Medium Business Friends!
Join us for an evening of connection, insight, and inspiration as two powerhouse professionals share their wisdom on AI in Action: Real Tools, Real Results for Growing Businesses
Free appetizers on us! One lucky attendee will go home with raffle prize!
Topic:
AI in Action: How SMBs Can Leverage AI to Drive Growth in 2026
Forget the hype — what does AI adoption actually look like inside a small or mid-sized business?
If you have been hearing about AI everywhere but still wondering where to start — or how to go from experimenting to actually seeing results — this one is for you.
Our panel of practitioners will pull back the curtain on the tools they use and recommend, the use cases delivering the biggest ROI, and the lessons they have learned helping SMB teams integrate AI without losing the human touch. From marketing and sales to operations and automation, this conversation covers the areas where AI is making the most difference for businesses like yours right now.
Come ready with questions. This is a conversation, not a lecture.
What you will walk away with:
Specific AI tools and workflows you can start using this week
Real use cases from businesses your size — not Fortune 500 case studies
A clearer sense of where AI fits in your business and where to start
Connections with fellow SMB leaders navigating the same decisions
Speakers:
Abigail Merrill (Moderator) — CEO, GrowthUP Partners Abigail is a certified AI practitioner and RevOps strategist who helps sales, marketing, and revenue teams turn AI into measurable business outcomes. With over 15 years of experience across B2B, B2C, startups, and regulated industries, she created the AI for ROI™ framework — a practical, human-centered approach that helps organizations move from experimentation to scalable results. She is known for translating complex AI topics into plain language and practical steps that build confidence and keep humans at the heart of how AI is used.
Kellie Bradley — Founder, byteKraft Workshops Kellie works in the space between the belly button and the keyboard — training individuals and businesses to use AI effectively. Certified by Google, IBM, and Arizona State University in Functional AI and Prompt Engineering, Kellie is a self-described reluctant adopter who quickly saw AI's power and potential. With over 46 years of experience in marketing, business development, and organizational leadership, she structures her workshops to help businesses and nonprofits of all sizes scale and grow.
Alejandro Morales — Founder & COO, STOA Digital Solutions Alejandro helps small and mid-sized businesses reclaim time through smarter software and automation. With 9+ years of experience building businesses across the US, Spain, and Latin America, he brings a rare mix of international perspective and pragmatism to every engagement. He also serves as Board President of XPX Triangle, a community of advisors who help business owners grow and exit on their own terms. Based in Chapel Hill, NC.
Proudly sponsored by Helmwise and Exit Factor of Raleigh-Durham.
Event Agenda:
05:00pm-06:30pm Networking
06:30pm-07:30pm Panel Discussion
07:30pm-08:00pm Networking
P.S.:
If you'd like to participate in the Book Exchange, please bring a new or used book that has inspired you and challenged you and you think more people should read it too!
Some FAQs:
Q: Can I invite others?
A: Please do! But please forward them this RSVP page to register.
Q: Is there a cost to attend?
A: No, but please support our generous venue by buying food and drinks. Please note automatic gratuity of 20% will be added to all checks.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Dress Casually, this is a fun get-together of local business owners.
Q: How can I support the community via sponsorship?
A: Sponsorships range from $100-200/event, but can make a big impact on the community, please reach out to the host Helen to get more information about sponsorships.
You can also donate books and gifts. Our promise to you is that all the sponsorships we receive will be put back in the community.