Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
Coffee Talks Presented by ProService Hawaii: Unlocking the Power of AI
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Events unite the business community to enhance the state’s economic climate by fostering success for businesses and business leaders alike. Attend or sponsor a Chamber event to promote your company, build brand awareness, market to your target demographics, expand your network and invest in your local community.
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💻 Discover How AI Can Level Up Your Game! 💻
Get ready to kickstart your mornings with Coffee Talks seminar series designed to elevate your business expertise and expand your professional network. Wherever you are in your business career, Coffee Talks offers something for everyone. Fuel your ambition, deepen your knowledge, and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for success.
Join us on Monday, August 11, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM for an engaging and insightful professional development session focused on one of the most transformative tools of our time—Artificial Intelligence (AI). Learn from featured speakers, Nicole Cacal, Executive Director of TRUE Initiative, and Sterling Higa, Founder & CEO of Polcom, on how to leverage AI to fuel innovation, streamline operations, and achieve long-term growth.
Whether you're just starting to explore AI or already experimenting with tools, this panel discussion will provide actionable insights and real-world examples that can elevate your business strategy.
You’ll Gain:
- A clear understanding of how AI is shaping today’s business landscape
- Practical ways AI can be used (e.g. automate tasks, enhance decision-making, and improve customer experience)
- Insights into accessible tools and platforms your business can start using right away
- And more....!
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and walk away with the knowledge and tools to confidently integrate AI into your business strategy.
Featured Speaker:
Nicole Cacal
Executive Director
TRUE Initiative
Nicole Cacal is an internationally recognized leader in entrepreneurship, business strategy, and innovation. As the Executive Director of the TRUE Initiative, she helps organizations in Hawaii adopt technology to create more tech jobs across the state. Previously, she was the Founder and CEO of Forbes Ignite, a consultancy advising global companies like American Express, Salesforce, and Colgate on innovating at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and social impact. Committed to making innovation strategies accessible to all, Nicole serves as a strategic advisor to small businesses in Hawaii.
An accomplished educator and speaker, Nicole is a lecturer at the Parsons School of Design and a visiting professor at the Pratt Institute, where she teaches courses on social innovation and strategic technology. She also serves as a Virtual Professional-in-Residence at the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE). As a keynote and TEDx speaker, she addresses topics like “AI for Small Business” and “The 8 Hawaii Innovation Mindsets”. Nicole holds a BBA in Finance and International Business from the University of Hawaii, an MSc in Strategic Design and Management from the Parsons School of Design, and an MSc in Technology Management from Columbia University.
Sterling Higa
Founder & CEO
Polcom
Sterling Higa is an entrepreneur and systems change advocate. He is the founder and CEO of Polcom, a consulting firm that uses artificial intelligence to help leaders navigate complex policies and drive meaningful change. Before Polcom, Sterling co-founded and served as executive director for Housing Hawai‘i’s Future, a nonprofit that played a key role in passing historic statewide zoning reforms to address Hawai‘i’s housing crisis.
Sterling also taught public speaking and argumentation at Hawaiii Pacific University and contributed as a columnist for Honolulu Civil Beat and Hawaii Business Magazine. At Polcom, he focuses on empowering leaders with AI-driven tools and publishes a newsletter on leadership and decision-making in the AI era. Through his work, Sterling continues to advance systems change by combining education, technology, and strategic advisory.
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Event Sponsors
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Date and Time
Monday Aug 11, 2025
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM HST
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Registration
9:00 - 10:00 AM: Program
10:00 - 10:30 AM: Networking
Location
President's Hall - Scouting America Aloha Council. Ample parking available.
Fees/Admission
Chamber & YP Member Rate: $10
Non-Member Rate: $25
Walk-In Chamber & YP Member Rate: $20
Walk-In Non-Member Rate: $35
Cancellation policy for non-members:
5 days or more prior to event full refund
2-4 days before event 50% refund
0-1 day before event no refund
In consideration for participating as a guest in any Chamber of Commerce Hawaii event, I agree to hold the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii harmless and release it from any liability arising from any lost, missing stolen or damaged personal property at any of its events. Please keep all personal property under observation or secured.
This event is being photographed and videoed. By entering, you agree to the use of recordings of you in connection with editorial, promotional, and/or advertising materials relating to this event or our other events in any media. Please inform our photographer if you do not want your image used in this manner.
Contact Information
Ruvi Sirmans, Program and Events Manager
Send Email
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