On the Menu: Automate Email Sorting, Lead Routing, Meeting Notes & More with AI
Session Description
Everyone knows the feeling: a flooded inbox where leads, invoices, complaints, and spam all sit in the same pile, and the only sorting system is you, scrolling at 11pm. AI can do that sorting for you, automatically, for free or nearly free. This 45-minute hands-on workshop shows you exactly how, no coding, no tech background is needed.
You’ll build a real, working AI email sorter two different ways: first connecting Claude and Zapier directly to a real inbox, then building your own custom triage dashboard in Lovable (lovable.dev) just by describing what you want in plain English. You’ll leave with both working, plus a simple framework: Trigger → AI Decides → Action, which you can reuse for almost any repetitive task: lead routing, meeting notes, review responses, invoice processing, follow-up reminders, and more.
What you’ll walk away with:
- Two live automations you built yourself, ready to use immediately
- The Trigger → AI Decides → Action framework, applicable to any repetitive task
- Confidence writing plain-English instructions (“prompts”) that AI tools can act on
- Hands-on experience with two of the most in-demand no-code AI tools: Zapier and Lovable
- A reusable mental model for spotting which parts of your own job could be automated next
What to bring:
- A laptop and required free accounts for Zapier and Lovable; directions on how to sign up for free accounts will be provided prior to workshop
- A Gmail or email account you’re comfortable connecting for the demo (you can use a personal/test account, not your primary one, if preferred)
- No coding experience or prior AI tools needed, everything is plain English
Session Speaker
Hao Dinh is an AI transformation leader helping organizations turn AI into measurable business value. He has led AI initiatives at GE, Electrolux, PwC, and Hitachi, applying AI to manufacturing, supply chain, and operations to boost productivity and drive growth.
He is founder of Grow by Design (growbydesign.ai), a nonprofit making AI accessible to non-technical learners and those intimidated by it.
Born in Vietnam and based in the US, Hao has worked across the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia in retail, financial services, energy, and entertainment, including as a professional skateboarder. He has also founded two nonprofits helping students and non-techies build creative and innovation skills for the digital economy.
Game Plan
11:30 a.m. | In-Person | Check-In opens and lunch is available
12:00 p.m. | Event begins
1:00 p.m. | Go on back to work!
What’s On The Menu?
At Frontier RTP, we are constantly growing, and hope you will come along for the ride! We developed On the Menu as a way of helping you and your business grow to the next level, whatever that next level may be.
Each month, we offer a lunchtime workshop on a special topic related to small businesses or startups. On the Menu is taught by a diverse group of experts from around the Triangle (some of whom started their business here at Frontier RTP!) in a small group setting.
Our hope is that these workshops will not only be rich in content, but spark dialogue, start relationships, and make your lunch break meaningful. Did we mention there will be free lunch?
We want you to easily access our events. Please reach out to us with accommodation requests at programming@rtp.org and we’ll do our best to facilitate.
Note: By registering and participating in this event, you consent to the recording of your likeness, image, and/or voice and authorize Frontier RTP to use photographs, video, and audio recordings containing your likeness, image, and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.
Location
800 Park Offices Drive, Durham, NC 27713
