Whiskey tasting | Practical AI for SMBs

AI Distilled

Practical AI for real businesses, paired with handcrafted whiskey. No hype. No sales pitch. Clear examples of how SMBs use agentic AI and Microsoft Copilot Studio to remove busywork.

Thursday, February 26th, 2026
3:45 PM to 5:45 PM
Trinity River Distillery / Silver Star Spirits

Why AI Distilled

Most AI events are either too technical or too vague. This one is built for owners and operators who want practical outcomes. Clear examples. Real questions. Useful next steps.

You will leave with
  • Understand what an agent is and why it is the next step beyond chat
  • Understand why leaders can benefit from agentic AI
  • Learn how to create your first Copilot agent
What this is not
  • No theory-heavy lecture
  • No “rip and replace” tech talk
  • No vendor pressure
Who it’s for
  • SMB owners and executives
  • Operations and admin leaders
  • City and municipal decision makers
  • Anyone skeptical of hype

Agenda

3:45 PM Arrive and find the tasting room upstairs!

4:00 PM Welcome and first (2) tastings by Whiskey Wizard
4:30 PM Presentation begins on Building an Agent based AI Model
(complimentary refreshments available during presentation)
5:15 PM Presentation Q&A during final (2) tastings
5:30 PM Giveaway & Networking
5:45 PM Event wraps - Join us downstairs!

Speakers

Steve Meek
CISSP and Co-Founder of The Fulcrum Group. Focused on translating AI and security concepts into practical business decisions.
David Johnson
Partner and Strategic Advisor helping organizations improve operations, continuity, and execution.

Event Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Whiskey + AI event. We truly appreciated the great turnout and the energy in the room. It was a fantastic evening of conversation, learning, and some excellent whiskey. A big thank you to our hosts at Trinity River Distillery for the warm hospitality and guided tasting experience.

This event was intentionally designed to feel approachable and conversational. AI does not need to be overwhelming or rushed, and pairing the discussion with whiskey helped reinforce the idea that adopting new technology should be thoughtful, intentional, and well paced. Below are the key takeaways from the evening, along with additional resources to help you continue the conversation internally.

Whiskey + AI: Top Takeaways

  • AI adoption works best when it is poured slowly, not forced
  • Start with real business problems, not shiny tools
  • Personal productivity is often the safest and fastest place to begin
  • Structure and data discipline matter before expanding AI usage
  • Copilot keeps AI inside your Microsoft 365 environment, reducing risk
  • AI should support better decisions, not replace human judgment
  • Calm, intentional adoption leads to better long term results

Why This Matters for SMB Leaders

  • Time savings come before transformation
  • Fewer meetings and emails drive early wins
  • Clear guardrails prevent shadow AI and data exposure
  • Executives gain clarity without increasing workload
  • Confidence beats speed when adopting AI

Resources

AI and Copilot resources can be found here:
https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/copilot-resources/
If you would like to continue the discussion, explore Copilot, or talk through practical AI use cases for your organization, we would be happy to help.