Keeping SMEs engaged is an ongoing challenge, especially as their roles evolve and new tools like AI enter the conversation. This session explores practical ways to support and motivate SMEs across different types of projects, including how to respond when they want to use AI tools before the organization is ready. We will look at what drives SME engagement, how to handle the tension between innovation and readiness, and how to maintain strong collaboration in environments where AI is not yet part of the workflow. Attendees will leave with realistic, actionable ideas to apply right away.