Prompting Like a Pro: A Hands-On Guide to Getting Better Results from AI
Ever feel like the answers you're getting from AI are fine, but not quite what you actually needed? Or that the back and forth to get there takes more time than it saves?
Writing effective prompts is a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice. In this interactive session, you'll learn by doing, experimenting with prompts, comparing results, and discussing what works with others. Rather than memorizing prompt templates, you'll develop a practical framework for thinking about prompting that you can apply across different tools and tasks.
Bring your laptop and have your preferred AI tool open, because you'll be prompting alongside the presenter in real time. You'll walk away with:
- A sharper sense of what makes a prompt effective
- Practical techniques for getting better results with fewer iterations
- Strategies for deciding when to refine an existing conversation versus starting fresh
- A better understanding of which AI model to reach for, since not every task needs the same tool
Whether you're brand new to AI tools or already using them every day and want to get more out of them, you'll leave with practical techniques you can use right away, greater confidence in getting the results you want from AI, and new ideas from a room full of people figuring this out right alongside you.
Cathy Lada
Lada Consulting
Dr. Catherine A. “Cathy” Lada, D.Sc., CAE, AAiP, is a senior nonprofit brand and communications executive with more than 15 years of experience leading national marketing, digital, and public relations strategies for mission-driven organizations and more than two years helping associations use AI safely, ethically, and effectively. Throughout her career, she has paired strategic vision with hands-on execution, building and leading teams of up to twelve and managing budgets as large as $3.5 million. She is also an instructional designer with seven years of experience with curriculum and instructional design, pedagogy, and teaching. As a Certified Association AI Professional, she has authored AI governance policies, built custom AI assistants, and designed upskilling programs that help association staff adopt AI responsibly. A former adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, West Virginia University, the Jack Welch Management Institute, and Robert Morris University, she holds a Doctor of Science in Information Systems and Communications. She serves on the Programming Committee of Association Women Technology Champions, who also awarded her Technology Champion status in 2024, and as a mentor for the American Marketing Association – DC Chapter.
Janna Marks
Matrix Group International
Janna Marks is a 30-year association industry veteran dedicated to helping people feel comfortable, supported, and connected. From trade associations to custom web builds and AMS innovation, Janna applies modern solutions, including AI and other emerging technologies, to solve critical association challenges, making life easier for staff while fostering stronger, more inclusive member communities.