The basics
What is the Event Leaders AI Bootcamp? +
A hands-on working day for event leaders who are done talking about AI and ready to put it to work. Instead of keynotes and an expo hall, you rotate through eight peer-led Practitioner Labs™ and build real AI workflows you can run in your events the very next morning.
Who is it for? +
Event leaders across corporate, association, agency, nonprofit, and independent practices — planners, directors, and producers responsible for real events, plus rising and emerging pros ready to level up. You don't need to be technical; you need to run events and want to work smarter.
When and where is it? +
September 29, 2026, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia — Market Ballroom, 900 Packer Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148.
How much does it cost? +
$450 for the full day, including hands-on labs, materials, and meals. Need-based Founding 10 Scholarships are also available — see the scholarship question below.
Is it in person or virtual? +
In person only. This is a working room of 100 event leaders — the value is in building alongside your peers, not watching a screen.
The day
What actually happens during the day? +
You'll move through eight peer-led Practitioner Labs™ — each pairing a real event challenge with a practical, technology-neutral AI workflow. The day closes with a combined Implementation Exchange™ & Reception (3:00–4:30 PM), where the room compares notes and turns the day into a plan. No keynotes, no death-by-PowerPoint.
Will I actually build things, or just watch demos? +
You build. Every lab is hands-on and led by a working practitioner, not a vendor pitching a product. You leave with workflows you keep and a 90-day plan you can run immediately.
What are the eight labs? +
- Registration & Attendee Intelligence
- Venue Sourcing & Contract Analysis
- Attendee Experience & Engagement
- Event Marketing & Promotion
- Budgeting, Analytics & ROI
- AI With Integrity: A Framework for Event Leaders
- Productivity & Workflow Automation
- Networking & Partner Activation
Do I need to bring a laptop? +
Yes — bring a laptop (not just a phone or tablet). The labs are hands-on, and you'll want to build and save your own workflows as you go. A charger is a good idea too.
Do I need paid AI subscriptions or specific tools? +
No paid subscriptions required — the labs are technology-neutral and work with free tools. If you already use ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or others, bring your logins so you can build in the environment you know. We'll guide you on what to have ready before the day.
Do I need to be technical or know how to code? +
Not at all. These labs are built for event professionals, not engineers. If you can run an event, you can run these workflows.
Are meals included? +
Yes — meals and refreshments during the program day are included in your registration.
The room & the people
Who leads the labs? +
Working practitioners who use AI in real event operations — including Nick Borelli (Zenus AI), Faith Keiser (EventNation), and Kimberly Roberts, CMP, CSEP (AI Strategic Results). Every lab is peer-led by an expert in that domain.
How big is the room? +
Capped at 100 seats, on purpose. Small enough that every seat is a senior peer and every conversation is worth having.
Will there be time to network? +
Yes. The combined Implementation Exchange™ & Reception at the end of the day (3:00–4:30 PM) is built for it — an intimate, curated environment for organic conversations around the solutions you just explored.
Will the event be photographed? +
Yes — Kellie Cushing of Fine Focus Studios is our official event photographer, capturing the inaugural class. (Many attendees walk away with a great new headshot, too.)