Case Study · Regional Roadshow · QLD · Multi-event
AI Ready: How four workshops lifted confidence for 92% of Western Downs small business owners
March 2026Miles QLD4 events1 weekIn-person
4
Events across one week
39
Feedback forms received
92%
Confidence lift in AI
10+
Industries represented
The client
AI Ready: Western Downs
AI Ready: Western Downs is a regional small business AI program, delivered as a partnership between Business Navigator Western Downs and the Miles & District Chamber of Commerce. The program is supported by Shell\u2019s QGC business and delivered by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise. Tracy was brought in as the featured AI expert for a four-event series in Miles, Queensland, in March 2026, working with small business owners across 10 or more industries.
The challenge
Practical AI training for a region, not a classroom.
Small business owners across the Western Downs run businesses across diverse industries: agriculture, construction, retail, hospitality, aged care, education, local government. They face the same AI confidence gap as small business everywhere, with the added pressure of operating in regional communities where face-to-face training and local relevance matter more than another webinar.
- →A series, not a one-off, that gave business owners a progression pathway
- →Practical AI training pitched to a wide range of starting points
- →Local examples and live case work, not generic theory
- →Multiple entry points across one week
- →Outcomes business owners could apply on Monday morning
What we did
Four events. One progression pathway.
Four events across three days in Miles, Queensland. Structured as a progression pathway.
Tuesday morning
Beginner workshop
Three hours. Hands-on. What AI is and is not, simple practical applications, common beginner mistakes, tools to start with on Monday. Participants received a 34-page workshop playbook to take home.
Tuesday afternoon
Intermediate workshop
Three hours. Hands-on. Writing smarter prompts, improving outputs, practical workflows for content, planning and problem-solving, ethical and responsible use. Participants received a 49-page advanced playbook.
Thursday evening
Small business dinner
Two-course meal at the Western Downs Motor Inn. The face-to-face conversation about AI, the future, and what it means for regional Queensland. Ticketed. The half of the program that gets undervalued.
Friday morning
Marketing breakfast workshop
Two hours. Build your AI marketing plan. Pitched at participants ready to apply AI to a specific business outcome.
The outcome
Measurable. Unambiguous.
The workshops shifted small business owners from uncertain to confident, with measurable outcomes captured in 39 post-session feedback forms.
✓84% rated the workshop Satisfied or Very Satisfied
✓90% rated the presenter Satisfied or Very Satisfied
✓92% said the workshop increased their AI confidence
✓92% said the content was pitched at the right level
✓97% said the workshop had a good balance of theory and practice
✓95% felt more connected to the small business community
✓Zero participants rated the experience Not at all Satisfied
“Explained AI to a complete beginner and took away the fear of starting.”
“Awesome workshop. No improvements needed. Just come to the first workshop!”
“Engaging. Love it.”
Three takeaways
For regional councils, Chambers and small business programs.
Run a series, not a one-off.
The progression pathway turns curiosity into capability. A standalone workshop builds awareness. A series builds confidence.
Use the businesses in the room.
Generic theory gets generic feedback. A live website audit or a real Safe Work Method Statement gives participants outputs to take home.
The dinner matters as much as the workshops.
Face-to-face connection in regional communities is the half of the program that gets undervalued. 95% felt more connected to the small business community after the week.
Next step
Bring this to your region.
Whether the format is a four-event week, a one-day intensive or a recurring quarterly program, every series is built around the specific industries, partners and goals of the region.