Small Business Study Hall

Next event: Thursday, November 19th, 6pm to 8pm (Full 2026 schedule below.)

November 2026

AI Without the Overwhelm: What to Use, What to Trust & What to Protect

Where do you even start with AI? ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot. There are many options, and most business owners are either avoiding AI or using it without a plan. But AI is already part of how your business runs. Customers are finding businesses through AI search, not just Google. And the software you already pay for, like your invoicing, email, and scheduling tools, probably has AI features you haven’t touched yet.

Casey Whitcher of CW Dynamic Digital Marketing builds high-performing websites, runs digital marketing, and automates daily workflows for small businesses. In this practical session, he’ll walk through what each AI tool does best, how AI is changing marketing, and how to use the tools you already have. 

Then we’ll talk about the questions most people skip: What should you hand off to AI, and what should you keep doing yourself? What can you trust it with, and what needs a second look? And what do you need to watch out for to protect your business, your data, and your clients? 

You’ll leave knowing where AI fits in your business and how to use it safely. Come with questions, and just in time for Thanksgiving, you might walk away with a few hours back in your week!

Presented by: Casey Whitcher

Owner & Director of Digital Strategy, CW Dynamic Digital Marketing

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What we're about

✅ SBSH (Small Business Study Hall) is our monthly series for small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs and freelancers. Each month is a different topic or interactive theme. Each meetup also includes 30+ minutes of networking and meet and greet with like-minded entrepreneurs from Elgin and the northwest suburbs.

✅ We meet in the 3rd week of the month, on Thursdays.

✅ “Each one, reach one.” We also encourage you to invite a fellow entrepreneur!

✅ Although named “Entrepreneurs” meetup, this is a group for anybody looking for ideas, inspiration, mentors, or resources to assist you on your journey.
We welcome:
– Students and recent grads looking to make connections,
– Creatives needing help to market their skills,
– Corporate employees looking to build their leadership skills,
– Founders who need to improve their communication skills,
 but most importantly,
– Cool and interesting people who want to share ideas, collaborate, learn and grow together.

✅ Brought to you by The Expo Experts, ETC Coworking and HadlBran Digital Marketing.

Tidbits and other Information

✅ REGISTRATION SUGGESTED. This event is free, but please use the form on this page to register or one of our social media pages.
✅ This in an in-person event.
✅ Light snacks and refreshments to be provided (usually pizza and wings).
✅ We meet at ETC Coworking, at 11 Douglas Ave, 2nd Floor. When you arrive, we have two entrances — when using the the main entrance, take the elevator to the second floor, when using the staircase entrance, the stairs lead to the second floor.
✅ Street parking is available, there is a city surface lot at Highland and Douglas (1/4 block away), and a city parking garage on Spring Street between Chicago St. & Highland Ave. (1 block away). All parking is free.

2026 SBSH Schedule

✅ January | We take this month off

✅ Thur Feb 19 | Your Relationship With Your Business

✅ Thur Mar 19 | Let’s Discuss

✅ Thur Apr 16 | Let’s Discuss

✅ Thur May 21 | Stress Management

✅ Thur Jun 18 | Value System

✅ Thur Jul 16 | Let’s Discuss

✅ Thur Aug 20 | Unlock Financial Vault

✅ Thur Sept 17 | Starting Your Business

✅ Thur Oct 15 | Sweeten the Deal

✅ Thur Nov 19 | AI Without Overwhelm

✅ Thur Dec 17 | Holiday Social