LakefishGroup

Just wrapped up an incredible AI Keynote at the CEMA (Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association) 2026 Annual Meeting at the beautiful Ponte Vedra Inn & Club!

The energy in the room was absolutely electric. We didn’t just talk about AI in theory…we got hands-on. I demonstrated live agentic AI solving real, immediate challenges that conveyor manufacturers and integrators face every single day. From streamlining complex supply chain communications and optimizing HR workflows to automating strategic planning, we showed how AI is no longer just a buzzword…it’s a practical tool for immediate impact.

The biggest “aha” moment? Watching a room full of engineering and manufacturing executives realize that AI isn’t just for the factory floor or predictive maintenance. It’s a powerful ally they can use today to transform their daily executive operations and drive their businesses forward.

I am incredibly humbled by the feedback from the attendees:
🔥 100% found the session valuable
🔥 100% would hear me speak again
🔥 94% found it inspiring and relevant

A few of my favorite takeaways from the leaders in the room:
💬 “Insightful and thought-provoking. And up to date.” — Randy Webb , Syntron Material Handling
💬 “Extremely informative on one of the most popular topics of today.” — Kevin Bennett
💬 “Great discussion around agentic AI.”

Thank you to CEMAconveyor and all the amazing leaders who engaged, asked tough questions, and leaned into the future of work.

A special thank you to Kevin Hambrice for being my AI video “volunteer”! The members sure loved it!

If your association or leadership team is ready to move past the AI hype and start seeing real, actionable results, let’s connect!

🏗️ ATLANTA – HOME BUILDER WORKSHOP

100% of a leadership team doesn’t say “this was valuable” by accident.

Last week I had the opportunity to spend time with one of Georgia’s top homebuilders, leading an interactive AI workshop with their leadership team.

The goal was simple:
Make AI real. Make it useful. Make it something they can apply immediately.

And the moment it clicked…you could feel it.

The conversations shifted from:
“What is this?”
to
“How fast can we implement this?”

That’s when you know it’s working.

Here’s what the team shared afterward:

• 100% found the session valuable
• 100% would attend again
• 99% said it was engaging, interactive, and relevant
• 98% said it was actionable

We explored how AI can support:

• Marketing and buyer experience
• Sales communication and follow-up
• Operational efficiency across teams
• Strategic decision making

But the real magic happened during the hands-on portion, where teams started using the tools live and seeing what was possible for their business.

That’s where the “aha” moments happen.

The takeaway was clear:
AI isn’t something to think about next year.
It’s something to start using today.

Grateful for the opportunity to work with such a forward-thinking group.

If your team is starting to ask “where do we begin?”
that’s exactly the conversation I love having.

Back in Kelowna, British Columbia, and reminded why I love this work.

The conversations I’m having with leaders right now are remarkably consistent. They are not asking for more AI hype. They are asking for AI that actually helps them work better.

No fluff.
Immediately useful.
Fun and high energy.
Clear ROI.

That is exactly how my AI keynotes and workshops are designed.

Alongside that, the AI landscape continues to shift in meaningful ways. Three areas I’m watching closely right now:

• Voice is becoming a serious business tool, from training to personalization to accessibility
• Video creation is getting faster, more practical, and far more scalable
• Agentic AI is moving from concept to real collaboration, supporting teams across real projects

And just as important, the early results from my first workshops of the year have been incredibly encouraging:

• 100 percent of attendees rated the session valuable
• 100 percent said they would hear me speak again
• 98 percent rated it engaging, interactive, and relevant
• 96 percent rated it actionable

Feedback like this reinforces what I believe strongly. When AI is taught in a practical, human, and immediately usable way, people lean in fast.

Grateful for the momentum heading into 2026 and excited about what’s ahead.