FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Julie Austin Delivers Keynote on Competitive Advantage at Destination Southwest
Innovation expert addresses destination marketing leaders on standing out in a crowded marketplace
College Station, TX – January 14, 2026— Julie Austin, CEO of Creative Innovation Group and award-winning inventor and innovation keynote speaker, was selected as the keynote speaker for Destination Southwest, the premier hosted-buyer event for meetings and incentive industry professionals. Austin addressed an audience of Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), CVBs, hotels, and tourism offices from across the Southwest United States.
Her keynote, focused on competitive advantage through innovation, gave attendees practical frameworks for differentiating their destinations in an increasingly competitive travel landscape. Austin drew on her signature systems approach to innovation, challenging DMO leaders to rethink how they position their destinations and create experiences that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
“Every destination has something unique — the key is knowing how to find it, amplify it, and communicate it in a way that makes buyers choose you first,” said Austin.
Destination Southwest, produced by Northstar Meetings Group, brings together top-level meeting and incentive buyers with leading destinations and hospitality suppliers for pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments and industry education.
For information on booking Julie Austin as a keynote speaker, visit creativeinnovationgroup.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Julie Austin Delivers Keynote Address at Leading Women in Petroleum Conference
MYRTLE BEACH, SC — April 28, 2025 — Inventor, innovation expert, and international keynote speaker Julie Austin was the featured keynote speaker at the Leading Women in Petroleum conference, hosted by the North Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association (NCPMA). The event, held on April 28 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, brought together top female leaders from across the petroleum industry to inspire collaboration, innovation, and leadership in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Austin’s keynote, titled “Creating Serendipity: How to Turn Chance into Opportunity”, offered a fresh and engaging perspective on how professionals can cultivate creativity and discover unexpected opportunities in the face of industry disruption. Drawing from her experience as a patented inventor and best-selling author, she guided attendees through real-world strategies to generate innovation, boost problem-solving, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
The Leading Women in Petroleum event is part of NCPMA’s continued effort to highlight and support the growing influence of women in the petroleum marketing sector. Austin’s keynote resonated strongly with attendees, many of whom are navigating significant transitions in fuel technology, workforce development, and customer expectations.
Austin is the author of Brainstreaming: Think Like an Inventor to Generate Breakthrough Ideas, Creating Serendipity, and Surviving Disruption. She is one of the few female innovators who is both a manufacturer and a speaker, and her unique perspective has made her a sought-after voice at business and leadership conferences worldwide.
For more information about Julie Austin, visit www.creativeinnovationgroup.com.