The Thurston County Chamber invites business and community leaders to its February Chamber Forum, “Can My Business Afford to Ignore AI?,” on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Norman Worthington Center on the campus of Saint Martin’s University.
This interactive forum will guide participants through a practical, business-first approach to AI adoption, using live mind-mapping and discussion to help leaders identify real opportunities within their own organizations, the Thurston County Chamber said in a news release.
The forum will be led by John Hansman, founder of the IT, cybersecurity, and AI consulting firm truit, who will offer a strategic, high-level perspective on what leaders need to know to remain competitive in 2026 and beyond.
“As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes how work gets done, many businesses are asking the same question: Where does AI actually fit in my organization? This forum moves beyond headlines and hype to focus on AI as a business development and productivity tool, helping leaders understand how to apply it thoughtfully and strategically.” the Thurston County Chamber said in a news release. “For most organizations, adopting AI isn’t about “just using ChatGPT.” It starts with asking the right questions: Where do we have high labor costs? Where are staff spending time on repetitive tasks? And how could technology help reallocate that time to higher-value work?”
The conversation will also explore broader economic and workforce trends shaping the future of business, the chamber stated.
“With a projected labor shortage on the horizon and baby boomers continuing to retire, many employers are already operating without the ability to backfill roles,” the chamber stated. “At the same time, productivity and GDP continue to rise, an apparent paradox explained in part by how businesses are using technology and AI to deliver products and services more efficiently.”
The forum emphasizes that AI is not about replacing people, the chamber stated.
“Much like the Industrial Revolution and the rise of the Information Age, technological change shifts where work happens. Jobs don’t disappear, they evolve, creating new roles and opportunities across organizations,” the chamber said.
Tickets are limited. Attendees can register to attend at
