Introduction:
The Fox Cities Chamber in Appleton, Wisconsin, supports local businesses and fosters community development in the Northeastern Wisconsin area. They have always been on the cutting edge of technology in the community, constantly seeking ways to incorporate modern business practices for their members. This continuous improvement mindset has earned them many recognitions, including becoming National Chamber of the Year for 2024-2025 (Category 3), and finalist for the upcoming 2024 Wisconsin Innovation Award.
The Fox Cities Chamber came to StellarBlue.ai searching for a solution to help their members and website visitors find information more quickly and efficiently. We partnered with the Chamber to address their needs for a more efficient user experience, leveraging our experience with website and artificial intelligence development. We implemented our flagship AI product, an AI Website Assistant, to enhance the user experience on the Chamber’s website, and bring visitors the answers they need. This process challenged our team and the Chamber as we pushed each other toward innovation.
Collaborative Beginnings: A Shared Vision
From the very first meeting, both teams were excited to create something new. The Fox Cities Chamber had a vision—they wanted their website to be more intuitive, with faster access to essential resources for their members. StellarBlue.ai was equally motivated, knowing this project would challenge us to blend cutting-edge AI technology with an understanding of the specific needs of the local business community.
This wasn’t just another AI project. It was an opportunity to bring advanced technology to Northeastern Wisconsin, making our region competitive with larger markets where AI solutions have already become the norm. During our initial discussions, the energy was palpable as both sides realized the potential impact of this tool.
The Development Journey: From Concept to Reality
Katie Hammerton – Digital Marketing Coordinator – Fox Cities Chamber
Lauren Welter – AI Consultant & Prompt Engineer – StellarBlue.ai
Developing Francis, the AI Website Assistant, was a collaborative journey between both teams, primarily between the Fox Cities Chamber’s Digital Marketing Coordinator, Katie Hammerton, and StellarBlue.ai’s AI Consultant & Prompt Engineer, Lauren Welter. One of our key goals was to design an AI Assistant that felt personal, almost like an employee of the Chamber itself. We wanted users to feel comfortable interacting with Francis—whether they were asking about opportunities within the chamber or seeking information on memberships.
StellarBlue.ai faced several challenges during development. One of the biggest was training the AI on the specific content of the Chamber’s website rather than pulling from general web searches. This was intentional: we needed Francis to serve as a specialized resource focused on the Fox Cities Chamber, not just another AI search engine. It meant fine-tuning the AI to understand local terminology, programs, information and resources specific to the Fox Cities Chamber and Northeastern Wisconsin economic development.
Another challenge was ensuring that Francis could navigate the nuances of the Chamber’s events and services. For instance, sorting dates and understanding event details is complex, especially when the data is being pulled from third party applications. While Francis was built to handle most queries, we had to carefully manage expectations around event information. This required constant iteration to improve its responses while ensuring users were directed to the Chamber’s calendar for precise event details.
Along the way, our team learned invaluable lessons about integrating AI with local business needs. We learned that an AI assistant isn’t just about technical capabilities—it’s about creating an experience that fits seamlessly into the user’s daily interactions with the organization.
Elevating the Community: AI Innovation for Fox Cities
Francis represents more than just an assistant for the Chamber; it’s a step toward positioning Northeastern Wisconsin as a leader in adopting AI for business. The creation of this tool connects local businesses with technology previously thought to be reserved for large corporations. Our AI Website Assistant is a scalable solution that can grow with the Chamber and other businesses in the area.
One of the critical innovations StellarBlue.ai is proud of is that Francis isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution. This AI assistant is explicitly trained on the Chamber’s specific needs, but the process we developed is flexible and can be applied to businesses of all sizes. We aimed to ensure the barrier to entry remained low—keeping costs, time, and resources manageable for small and medium-sized businesses that want to adopt similar AI solutions.
We at StellarBlue.ai believe this is just the beginning. As more businesses witness how Francis helps the chamber’s ability to efficiently and cost-effectively communicate, assist, and help promote their mission to site visitors, we expect other organizations to explore how AI can enhance their operations. We welcome other businesses to partner with us to implement AI solutions that can drive growth and innovation in our region.
A Shared Future of Innovation
This project was a challenge that pushed both StellarBlue.ai and the Fox Cities Chamber to think creatively and pursue innovation. Francis represents a fusion of AI technology and a deep understanding of local business needs—something that will continue to evolve as the Chamber and its members engage with the tool.
As we look ahead, we’re excited to see how Francis will shape the Chamber’s future and how this success will inspire more businesses in the area to take advantage of AI solutions. It’s an exciting time for Northeastern Wisconsin, and we’re proud to be part of the journey.
Ready to See Francis in Action?
Visit the Fox Cities Chamber website to explore how Francis, the AI Website Assistant, is transforming the way businesses connect and thrive in Northeastern Wisconsin. Whether you’re looking for membership details or community resources, Francis is here to help you navigate it all.
Interested in learning more about how an AI website assistant could benefit your business?
Reach out to our team at strategy@stellarblue.ai for more information on how we can create a tailored AI solution to meet your unique needs. Let’s take your business to the next level with innovative new technology!