I’ve been to three Google Digital Garage events before, all of them in York, and I’ve always found them super useful. It’s a great way to catch up on the latest tips and advice that Google is sharing with small businesses. So when I saw they were running an all-day session in Bridlington, with the bonus of a seaside escape, I signed up straight away!
Who doesn’t love sunny Bridlington? It’s where I grew up, and being just 45 minutes away from where I live now, it’s perfect for a learning day out.
The event was held on Friday of last week (12 September 2025) at the Bridlington Spa, best known for hosting Oasis’s final indoor concert before their famous split in 2009. I wasn’t lucky enough to attend, but I was so envious of all my friends who managed to get tickets!
The Digital Garage events are full-day seminars focusing on how small businesses can use Google’s services, from AI to digital marketing. Attending these annually is always worthwhile to catch up on Google’s latest innovations.
This year, the event was divided into two distinct sessions: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The first session was presented by Kirstie Kavanagh who I have seen talk a number of times now, and who always gives a great informative presentation.
The morning session covered three topics.
- Making sense of Al
- Practical AI for Marketing and
- Al in action
Kirstie started by explaining how AI LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini work, describing how they use predictive methods to understand your questions and provide answers.
She then broke down how to construct a good prompt and introduced some Google tools that can enhance your business use of AI. She focused mainly on NotebookLM, which is a fantastic tool for organising your data and asking questions specifically about certain topics. I've been using NotebookLM for a year or two, and I love it for querying specific companies I work with and analysing contracts.
She also showcased some features of Gemini, which was new to me. Gemini now includes a feature called Canvas, allowing you to turn your responses into visual representations, such as infographics and interactive HTML. It looks like an amazing tool that I’m excited to explore!
After enjoying a lunch break with some delicious sandwiches, we all gathered back in the main area for the afternoon session. which was presented by Christine Braithwaite.
- Social media masterclass and
- Build your business online with Google
Christine delivered an excellent talk on using social media and AI to promote small businesses, sharing real-world examples like a skate shop and a dog walking company. She highlighted that 28% of small businesses in the UK now generate more sales through social media than any other channel and shared statistics showing most people spend around two hours daily on social media... A number that many attendees believed to be even higher!
She covered the differences between social media platforms and outlined key questions to consider when selecting the right ones for your business. She also discussed the various types of posts available.
Christine wrapped up with a brief masterclass on digital marketing, explaining the online purchase journey and what motivates customers to buy. She cited statistics showing that 70% of purchase decisions are influenced by factors other than price, emphasising that local presence and a personal touch can compete effectively with large, impersonal corporations.
As always, another great Google Digital Garage event, and I'm now looking forward to the next one!
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