Next · Thursday 19 November 2026 · Portlaoise

AI Basecamp: Transform the Midlands

We’re bringing the momentum of Basecamp to the Midlands — a practical morning for owners, managers and teams who want to move AI from something they keep hearing about to something they can use. No technical knowledge needed.

WhenThursday 19 November 2026 · 9:00am–2:00pm
WhereThe Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise
CostFree · places limited

Register free with your LEO →See the running order
Dublin → the Midlands

The momentum is building.

AI Basecamp Dublin brought 170+ business owners into one room. Now we’re bringing it to the Midlands — for the 18,670+ businesses across Laois, Offaly, Westmeath & Longford.

See how Dublin went →

You don’t have to make the climb alone.

Basecamp is where you find your footing — and learn from the business owners a few steps ahead.

Climbers reaching a mountain summit together
What you’ll get

A practical morning — then a plan.

For business owners, managers and teams. No technical knowledge needed — just bring your curiosity.

Hear it first-hand

SMEs already using AI

Owners share what they’ve deployed — what worked, what didn’t, and what it was worth.

Start Monday

Practical toolkits

Takeaway toolkits and practical ideas you can put to work straight away.

Local support

Your LEO is behind you

Digital for Business and the Grow Digital Voucher — how your LEO can back you.

Connect

A networking lunch

New connections with owners from across the region over a light lunch.

AI at work across your business

You’ll see AI in action across every function.

Marketing & ContentSalesFinanceOperationsSupply ChainHR & RecruitmentCustomer ServiceStrategy & Governance
Who you’ll hear from

AI Pioneers sharing what works.

Business owners and leaders sharing the AI they’ve put to work in their own companies.

Stephen Browne
Stephen Browne
IO Resource
A “business brain” built from 25 years of knowledge — plus free AI Starter Packs.
Barry Prost
Barry Prost
Founder, Rent a Recruiter
An AI sales agent working the top of the funnel.
Kat Hutcheson
Kat Hutcheson
oac snacks
Ex-PepsiCo — a team of AI agents running operations & supply chain.
Antimo Kelly Puca
Antimo Kelly Puca
Founder & CEO, Púca Coffee
A non-coder running an Italian coffee import business — site, payments, VAT & stock — with AI.
Harriet Tindal MW
Harriet Tindal MW
Director of Wine, Tindal Wine Merchants
Running the back office of a wine import & distribution business with AI.
Vanessa Wainwright
Vanessa Wainwright
Abodoo · Circle facilitator
Why your best AI talent may already work for you — and how to find your skills gaps.
The running order

How the morning runs.

A tight, practical format: hear from the pioneers first, then take your questions into a small breakout circle on the topic that matters most to you.

9:00

Registration, tea & coffee

Doors open and the LEO supports desk is open all day.

9:30

Welcome & LEO introduction

The four Local Enterprise Offices, Midlands Ireland and the supports available to you.

Lisa Molloy & LEO colleagues
9:45

How the day works

The format, the two breakout circles, and how to get the most from the morning.

Barry Fitzpatrick · MC
9:55

AI Pioneers: real businesses, real use

15 minutes each — what they actually use AI for, what changed, and what went wrong. Hold your questions for the circles.

Stephen Browne · Kat Hutcheson · Barry Prost · Antimo Kelly Puca · Harriet Tindal MW
11:15

Break

Stretch, refill and get ready to dig in.

11:30

Two breakout circles · 1 hour

The heart of the morning. Pick Circle 1 (Skills & people) or Circle 2 (Brand, market, distribution & supply chain), bring your challenge, and get the how from the pioneers — see what each one covers ↓

12:30

Regroup & open Q&A

One takeaway from each circle, then questions from the floor.

13:00

Your next step

Your LEO on the supports available, how to apply, and the take-away starter pack you’ll leave with.

LEO
13:30

Close, lunch & networking

A working lunch and time to connect with owners from across the region, until 2:00pm. The LEO desk stays open for funding questions.

The breakout circles · where it gets personal

Bring your challenge. Leave with a plan.

This is the part you’ll remember. Small circles, chairs pulled in, a facilitator in the middle and pioneers who’ve actually done it sitting right beside you. Put the thing you’re stuck on into the room and get the how — not the hype. Pick the circle that fits where you want to take your business.

Circle 1

Skills & people

Your team is your biggest AI advantage — once you know where the gaps are and how to close them.

  • Where AI frees your people up — and where it genuinely doesn’t
  • The skills you already have hiding in your team
  • Upskilling your people without a big budget or a tech background
  • Hiring in an AI world — what to look for now
  • Bringing nervous team members with you, not dragging them
  • Your first 90 days: a realistic plan to actually get moving
In the circle with you

Barry Prost · Rent a Recruiter  ·  Vanessa Wainwright · Abodoo

Circle 2

Brand, market, distribution & supply chain

From your first customer to full shelves — how AI is reshaping the way you reach, sell and deliver.

  • Content and campaigns that punch well above your size
  • Finding and winning new customers with AI
  • Orders, stock, VAT and admin running quietly in the background
  • Fewer surprises across your suppliers and supply chain
  • Building a “business brain” from the knowledge you already have
  • Launching something new fast — even without a tech team
In the circle with you

Stephen Browne · IO Resource  ·  Kat Hutcheson · oac snacks  ·  Antimo Kelly Puca · Púca Coffee  ·  Harriet Tindal MW

You bring the challenge — the pioneers bring the how. You’ll leave with your next step mapped out, and a room full of Midlands owners building right alongside you.

Hosted by

Your Local Enterprise Office

Hosted by the Local Enterprise Offices of Laois, Offaly, Westmeath & Longford, with Midlands Ireland — and the support of the County Councils.

Register

Grab your place — it’s free.

Thursday 19 November · The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise · 9:00am–2:00pm. Places are limited and booked through your Local Enterprise Office.