When small teams find big ways to serve their community, innovation often leads the way. The Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce (KACC) has taken an exciting step into the future of member engagement and community service through a new partnership with Southport AI & Automation. Together, they launched Kenny, an AI-powered website chatbot built right here in Kenosha to help connect people, answer questions, and strengthen local business relationships.
The Challenge
The Chamber’s small but dedicated staff supports more than 600 members while serving the broader Kenosha community. Every day brings a stream of questions that range from “Who’s a good local plumber?” to “When is the next networking event?” to “How do I become a member?”
Much of that information lives across different systems, pages, and documents. This makes it challenging for a small team to respond around the clock. KACC wanted a way to make information accessible to everyone, at any time, without stretching staff resources.
The Solution: Kenny
Enter Kenny, the Chamber’s newest “team member.” Always available, endlessly knowledgeable, and never needing a day off. Kenny serves as a digital assistant for Chamber members, staff, and the community. Built locally by Southport AI, Kenny uses artificial intelligence to provide conversational, human-like support directly through the Chamber’s website.
Rather than following rigid scripts, Kenny uses AI to understand context and adapt to each conversation. It integrates in real time with the Chamber’s membership and event systems, which makes it possible for Kenny to deliver accurate, up-to-date information every time.
How Kenny Helps
For Chamber Members:
Kenny connects members with one another and shares upcoming events. It offers instant referrals to other Chamber businesses—strengthening the network that keeps Kenosha’s business community thriving.
For the Kenosha Community:
Residents can ask about local events, scholarships, or programs supported by the Chamber’s Foundation. Kenny is available 24/7, promoting engagement and community pride at any hour of the day.
For Chamber Staff:
By handling routine inquiries and filtering out unrelated questions like where to vote, Kenny frees up valuable staff time. This allows for strategic, member-focused work that drives growth and impact.
A Chamber with Vision
The Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce didn’t just adopt new technology, it demonstrated forward-thinking leadership. By embracing AI now, the Chamber set an example for other organizations on how to use innovation to serve people better, not replace them. This is a clear case of technology empowering connection rather than creating distance.
The Impact
With Kenny in place:
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Members receive faster service and stronger connections
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The community stays informed and engaged
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Staff gain time to focus on growth and partnership initiatives
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The Chamber expands its reach, without expanding its payroll
Built in Kenosha, for Kenosha
Kenny is a very smart tool, and also it’s a local success story. Every part of this project, from design to development, took place right here in Kenosha. Southport AI & Automation’s mission is to help small businesses and organizations use AI to save time, reduce stress, and work smarter, not harder. Kenny is one example of how that mission comes to life.
See Kenny in Action
Visit www.kenoshaareachamber.com to meet Kenny and see how AI is transforming community connection. Ask about membership benefits, local events, or Chamber programs—and experience firsthand how innovation and community can work hand in hand.
Rooted in Innovation. Powered by Community.
Built by Southport AI & Automation in partnership with the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce.
