Built in Bellevue, Built for Small Business.

What is the Small Business AI Jam?

In conjunction with OpenAI’s office opening in Bellevue, Washington, OpenAI is teaming up with the City of Bellevue, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, and Washington SBDC to host a Small Business AI Jam on Friday, March 6th.

The Jam is an in-person, hands-on workshop that helps small business leaders learn practical ways to use ChatGPT in their day-to-day work–from writing marketing copy and organizing schedules to handling customer messages or bookkeeping.

Building on successes of OpenAI’s Small Business Jam in November 2025 across 5 cities, we will convene the business community in Bellevue to spend the day learning side-by-side with ChatGPT mentors, with support from community partners and local leaders. By the end of the day, small business owners will walk away with at least one ready-to-use AI solution tailored to your business.

For example, a café owner might build a daily specials planner that drafts social posts, or a salon owner might create a ChatGPT assistant to manage appointments and client follow-ups.

The Jam is designed for “Main Street” businesses with 1-100 employees, including restaurants, shops, service providers, and online sellers who want to save time, reach more customers, and grow with AI.

Why attend?

1. Hands-on results: In one day, you will design and test an AI tool that helps with your real business needs – such as marketing, hiring, inventory, or customer service.
2. Beginners and all-levels welcome: No coding or tech background required. Beginners will learn the basics of ChatGPT step-by-step, with optional pre-event video tutorials available online.
3. Learn from mentors: Get personalized help from trained ChatGPT mentors and connect with peers facing similar challenges in your community.
4. Free to participate: Registration is free.

“This was the single most impactful learning I have had in years! I walked into the Jam with ZERO experience with AI and have leveraged my learnings almost daily since. This is already saving me time and I've created multiple uses in minutes for what would have taken me hours.” - Small Business AI Jam Participant from San Francisco, CA

“I had a full-on aha moment: AI isn’t distant, daunting tech—it’s interactive, iterative, and shockingly fast. You can go from prompt to product in minutes, even if you’re new to it.” – Nonprofit AI Jam Participant from Los Angeles, CA

Who should attend?

Owner-operated businesses with up to 100 employees. All roles and departments are welcome. The content will focus on getting business owners from 0 to 1 in their AI journey so beginners are most welcome and no prior experience with AI is required.

Seats are limited and filled on a rolling basis, so register early to secure your spot. Confirmed participants will receive event details by email.

Those unable to attend in-person will still receive free learning resources via OpenAI Academy, including options to attend virtual office hours offered after Jam Day.

How it works

Before Jam Day: Participants can watch an optional virtual on-ramp with short, on-demand video tutorials to introduce ChatGPT and show simple ways small businesses are already using AI.

On Jam Day: Start with a guided introduction to ChatGPT and hands-on training led by OpenAI mentors. Then, work side-by-side with mentors and peers to build your own AI tool—such as a marketing assistant, customer-service helper, or bookkeeping organizer—and connect with other small-business owners in your community.

After Jam Day: Stay connected and keep learning with free, on-demand resources on OpenAI Academy.

Key dates

1. Registrations close: March 2nd
2. Jam Day: March 6 (in-person)

Ready to Jam?

Registration takes ~10 minutes. Seats are limited and confirmed on a rolling basis. Important note: There are limited seats and participants will be confirmed on a rolling basis. Submitting the registration form does not guarantee attendance.

The event will be held in downtown Bellevue and exact venue details will be shared closer to March 6.

Questions?

Reach out to us at any time: [email protected]