North Carolina Innovation Keynote Speaker Helping Organizations Turn Creativity Into Competitive Advantage

Award-winning inventor and innovation strategist Julie Austin partners with organizations across North Carolina to strengthen creative thinking, accelerate problem-solving, and drive measurable business results.

From financial and technology hubs in Charlotte to research institutions and growing startups in Raleigh, Julie delivers engaging keynote presentations that help teams think differently, adapt to change, and generate breakthrough ideas.

Her clients include global brands such as Procter & Gamble, Novartis, and Cognizant, as well as regional organizations seeking to build a stronger culture of innovation.

Why North Carolina Organizations Choose Julie Austin for Innovation Keynotes

A Nationally Recognized Innovation Expert Serving North Carolina Businesses

Julie Austin is known for teaching organizations how to move beyond traditional brainstorming and create environments where innovation thrives. Her credibility comes from transforming a simple product concept into an internationally distributed success.

What North Carolina Event Planners Say About Julie Austin

You did a great job with my team and I really enjoyed meeting you and hearing your story! Just this week on an Austin recap call your name came up as a ‘Plus’ from the meeting with several remarks of how great it was to briefly disconnect from the work ppts and think differently.
Jessica Walton

Henkel Corporation

Julie was very professional and pleasant to work with. She spent time researching our industry on her own so she could customize her content. She’s truly a creative individual.
Carol Hudler

Mega Conference

Julie was great to work with and I’m pleased she came to our conference. She spoke with the Executive Director before the meeting to learn about our audience and tailored her presentation to our group. We were glad to have her!
Emma Gremel

Conference Planner -Home Care Association of Colorado

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Meeting professionals and corporate leaders consistently praise Julie’s preparation, professionalism, and ability to deliver meaningful value.

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Madeline Sanchez Brown, Louisiana Travel Summit

As a meeting planner, Julie was a pleasure to work with. I appreciated her organization and promptness. Although I wasn’t able to hear her speak, her session received rave reviews. I will definitely recommend Julie for future events!

ASD International Retail Conference

It was a pleasure having Julie speak at our ASD International Retail Conference in Las Vegas. The retail and wholesale small business owners appreciated her topic “Using Innovation for Competitive Advantage”. The interactive creativity exercises helped get the audience involved, and demonstrated that creativity in business is definitely the way to beat the competition at their own game. I would highly recommend her speaking services.

Innovation Keynote Topics for North Carolina Organizations

Creating Serendipity: Designing Conditions for Breakthrough Innovation

Many major breakthroughs occur when organizations recognize unexpected opportunities others overlook. In this engaging session, Julie explains how leaders can intentionally create environments that encourage discovery and innovation.

In this revelatory new book, inventor and innovation authority Julie Austin demystifies the art and science of serendipity—showing you how to engineer “happy accidents” in life and business. You’ll learn why luck isn’t random, how to cultivate the mindset and habits that open you to unanticipated value, and the exact practices inventors rely on to stumble upon life-changing discoveries like penicillin, Velcro, and microwave ovens.

What readers will learn:

  • Why curiosity is your greatest asset: Cultivate questions that lead you off the beaten path and toward unexpected breakthroughs.

  • The art of reframing: See how simple shifts in perspective transform obstacles into hidden opportunities.

  • Building “luck infrastructure”: Adopt the daily rituals and network-building tactics that put you in the right place at the right time.

  • Turning bad breaks into big wins: Apply inventor-tested methods to mine setbacks for fresh insights and solutions.

  • Escaping the comfort zone: Embrace proven exercises that stretch your mind and prime you for serendipitous discovery.

Whether you’re an established innovator or simply someone who wants more “good luck” in your day-to-day, Creating Serendipity equips you with the tools to invite chance, seize surprises, and turn the unexpected into your next big win.

Julie Austin's 2025 nook, Creating Serendipity on sale now!

Brainstreaming: A Proven System for Generating Ideas Quickly

In fast-growing markets like North Carolina’s banking, research, and technology sectors, teams need reliable ways to produce innovative solutions under pressure. This keynote introduces Brainstreaming™, Julie’s structured approach to idea generation based on her experience as an inventor.

All innovation begins with great ideas. Some of the most important innovations in history, like Post-it Notes, were discovered by accident. Inventors know the secrets to generating breakthrough ideas on demand—we do it every day.

This book isn’t just about inventing a product. It’s about using the secret techniques that inventors use to generate breakthrough ideas. These ideas could be for products, services, marketing campaigns, advertising strategies, or new business models.

This Book is For:

  • Organizations: Turn employees into problem solvers and overcome the limitations of traditional brainstorming.
  • Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs: Stay ahead of the competition by generating innovative ideas.
  • Employees: Become a star performer by saving the company money, generating revenue, or creating ideas that add value.

Brainstreaming prepares your mind for creativity ahead of time, making it different from regular brainstorming. This book is your guide to unlocking innovative thinking and generating breakthrough ideas.

Surviving Disruption: Thriving in a Rapidly Changing Business Environment

Organizations across North Carolina face ongoing change driven by digital transformation, global competition, and shifting customer expectations. This keynote provides practical strategies for navigating uncertainty and maintaining competitive advantage.

In this groundbreaking book by inventor and innovation expert Julie Austin, you’ll discover the three secrets to using disruption and change to your advantage. Disruption is inevitable in every business and industry. Whether you’ve been around for one year or 100 years, something unexpected will change the landscape..

“With the combined virtues of astute research and data, relevant anecdotes and harsh truths forged from personal experience, Julie Austin has come up with the perfect survival manual for any businessperson looking to weather the next storm. Tips and cautionary tales blend seamlessly to offer the reader a confident and comprehensive approach for turning danger into opportunity. Written for not just the corporate CEO but the Mom and Pop Store owner, this book is the beacon in the night, lighting the way.”

– Bill Pruitt, five-time Emmy Award winning Executive Producer of “The Amazing Race”, “Deadliest Catch” and “Eat the World”

Julie Austin's 2025 nook, Creating Serendipity on sale now!

What Makes Julie Austin a Leading Innovation Speaker in North Carolina

What topics does Innovation Keynotes Speaker Julie Austin cover for North Carolina companies, businesses and organizations?

Julie’s signature keynotes equip Houston teams with hands-on frameworks to think like inventors and spark breakthrough ideas. Her most requested presentations include:

  • Brainstreaming: Jumpstart creativity and generate solutions on demand
  • Surviving Disruption: Twelve strategies to turn change into competitive advantage
  • Creating Serendipity: Engineer “happy accidents” and uncover unexpected value

Companies and organizations that hear Julie’s keynotes report measurable gains in creative capacity, tighter cross-functional collaboration, and accelerated idea-to-market cycles—delivering a sustained competitive edge.

What makes Julie Austin the leading Innovation Keynote Speaker for North Carolina?

  • Inventor Credentials: Her patented wrist-worn water bottle Swiggies was a NASDAQ Product of the Year semi-finalist and now sells in 25 countries.
  • Entrepreneurial Experience: As CEO of Creative Innovation Group, she bootstrapped products without venture capital—giving her presentations real-world credibility.
  • Customized, Actionable Content: Julie researches each industry to tailor exercises and case studies, so Austin corporations, businesses, and organizations leave with immediately applicable innovation strategies.

Where can North Carolina event planners read testimonials about Julie Austin’s keynote presentations?

Meeting planners consistently praise Julie’s energy, customization, and results:

  • “Your session received rave reviews on our Austin recap call … your name came up as a ‘Plus’ for helping us disconnect from slide decks and think differently.” — Jessica Walton, Henkel Corporation
  • “She spoke with our Executive Director beforehand and tailored her presentation. We were glad to have her!” — Emma Gremel, Home Care Association of Colorado

All client feedback is available on the Testimonials page of the Creative Innovation Group website.

How do I book Julie Austin for an Innovative keynote in North Carolina?

  • Submit the inquiry form on the Creative Innovation Group site with your event details.
  • Email julie@creativeinnovationgroup.com or call (310) 444-7788 with your date, audience profile, and goals.
  • Julie’s team will follow up promptly to customize your session and finalize logistics.

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