the-creative-futures

Gina Hinojosa, Candidate for Texas Governor, Joins Panel at The Creative Futures Conference, April 10

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:22:43 GMT

Hinojosa, Rep. Diego Bernal, Lt. Governor Candidate Marcos Velez and Moderator

Saadia Mirza to Explore How Media and Branding Shape Political Narratives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gina Hinojosa, Candidate for Texas Governor, Joins Panel at The Creative Futures Conference, April 10

Hinojosa, Rep. Diego Bernal, Lt. Governor Candidate Marcos Velez and Moderator

Saadia Mirza to Explore How Media and Branding Shape Political Narratives

WHAT:

Gina Hinojosa, Democratic candidate for Texas Governor, will join State

Representative Diego Bernal, and Texas Lieutenant Governor candidate Marcos Vélez

at the inaugural Creative Futures Conference on April 10 in San Antonio.

Titled “Branding, Media, and Politics: The Stories We Believe,” the panel discussion

will explore how storytelling, branding and digital media influence political identity, public

perception and voter behavior.

Moderated by TikTok political creator Saadia Mirza, the one-hour conversation will

examine how political narratives are created, amplified and sometimes manipulated

across today’s media landscape. Panelists will also discuss how authenticity can still

resonate with audiences in a highly fragmented media environment.

WHO:

Gina Hinojosa, Democratic candidate for Texas Governor

Diego Bernal, Texas State Representative (D)

Marcos Vélez, Democratic candidate for Texas Lieutenant Governor

Saadia Mirza, TikTok political creator (moderator)

WHEN:

Thursday, April 10

2:45-3:45 p.m.

WHERE:

Geekdom Event Centre

131 Soledad St., 78205

VISUALS FOR MEDIA:

• Panel discussion with political leaders and media creators

• Audience Q&A with conference attendees

• Interviews with speakers and organizers

Background:

The inaugural Creative Futures Conference will take place April 10-11, 2026, in

downtown San Antonio, convening creators, entrepreneurs, technologists and cultural

leaders to examine how creativity is shaping the future of business, technology and

cities.

Designed to catalyze collaboration and innovative ideas, the two-day conference will

feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops and immersive experiences at

the intersection of creativity, technology and entrepreneurship. Attendees will include

designers, founders, artists, developers, strategists and community leaders from across

Texas and the United States.

The Creative Futures Con is supported by Geekdom, Adobe, Whataburger, 300 Main,

Downtown West and Japhet Media.

Tickets, schedules and additional information are available at

https://www.thecreativefutures.com/

About The Creative Futures Conference

The Creative Futures Conference is a new annual summit based in San Antonio that brings

together creators, innovators and entrepreneurs to explore the future of creative industries,

technology and cultural impact. Through keynote talks, workshops, panels and collaborative

experiences, the conference empowers participants to connect, learn and help shape the future

of creativity and innovation. Learn more at https://www.thecreativefutures.com/.

Inaugural The Creative Futures Conference to Spotlight San Antonio’s $5.18 Billion Creative Economy

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:09:25 GMT

Conference to Spotlight San Antonio’s $5.18 Billion Creative Economy

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 18, 2026) — The inaugural Creative Futures Conference will take place April 10–11, 2026, in downtown San Antonio, convening creators, entrepreneurs, technologists and cultural leaders to examine how creativity is shaping the future of business, technology and cities.

The first-of-its-kind gathering arrives at a pivotal moment for San Antonio, where the creative sector generated $5.18 billion in total economic output in 2023 and supports more than 20,800 jobs , according to a study commissioned by the City of San Antonio. Design and advertising alone contributed $1.32 billion to the local economy, underscoring the growing role of creative industries as drivers of innovation, talent attraction and business development.

Designed to catalyze collaboration and forward-thinking ideas, the two-day conference will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops and immersive experiences at the intersection of creativity, technology and entrepreneurship. Attendees will include designers, founders, artists, developers, strategists and community leaders from across Texas and the United States.

“The Creative Futures Conference was created to bring together people who are actively building what comes next,” said Ja’el Thompson, founder of the Creative Futures Conference. “San Antonio’s creative economy is thriving, but there has never been a dedicated space at this scale for our creative community to connect, share ideas and accelerate new opportunities. This conference is about unlocking that potential and positioning San Antonio as a leading creative city.”

Theme: Building Worlds

The conference theme, “Building Worlds,” reflects the growing influence of creative leaders in shaping industries, communities and culture. Programming will be organized across four tracks:

Creative Industries
Innovation and Technology
Community and Cultural Impact
Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth

Sessions will explore topics including artificial intelligence and creative work, storytelling and media, startup growth, design-led innovation and the role of creativity in economic development.

Featured Programming

Featured Speakers

Steven Darby, Founder, Heavy Heavy
Michael Fugoso, Creative Evangelist, Adobe
Hallease Narvaez, Filmmaker and Founder, StumbleWell Studios

Influence Is Built, Not Branded
A live recording of the bigcitysmalltown podcast featuring Lionel and Kathy Sosa with Andi Rodriguez, hosted by Cory Ames. The conversation will explore leadership, creative risk and how culture shapes San Antonio’s economic and civic future.

Collage City
Hosted by the San Antonio Association of Graphic Designers, this hands-on workshop invites attendees to engage in collage-making, screen printing, clay work and live DJ sessions in an interactive studio environment.

Sixth Seat x Creative Futures Finale Experience (VIP)
A live-taped Sixth Seat dinner bringing together creatives across film, fashion, technology and media to share insights into building meaningful careers.

Design Duel at Creative Futures
Presented by the San Antonio Association of Graphic Designers, this live design competition will feature creatives competing head-to-head before a live audience.

Experience & Media Opportunities

In addition to formal programming, the conference will offer networking opportunities, collaborative workshops and interactive installations designed to foster partnerships and accelerate new ideas.

Organizers expect the event to attract both emerging and established creative professionals, reinforcing San Antonio’s growing reputation as a center for creative entrepreneurship and innovation.

Media opportunities include:

Interviews with the founder and featured speakers
Access to live creative activations and workshops
Story angles highlighting the individuals and ideas driving San Antonio’s $5.18 billion creative economy

Tickets and information:
https://www.thecreativefutures.com/

Creative Futures Conference is supported by Geekdom, Adobe, Whataburger, 300 Main and Downtown West.

About the Creative Futures Conference

The Creative Futures Conference is a new annual summit based in San Antonio that brings together creators, innovators and entrepreneurs to explore the future of creative industries, technology and cultural impact. Through keynote talks, workshops, panels and collaborative experiences, the conference empowers participants to connect, learn and help shape the future of creativity and innovation.

Learn more at: https://www.thecreativefutures.com/

Adobe Named Maker Sponsor for The Creative Futures Con 2026

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:19:48 GMT

A major milestone kicks off the conference’s inaugural sponsorship journey

The Creative Futures Con is proud to announce Adobe as an official Maker Sponsor for its inaugural 2026 conference—marking a defining moment in the launch of one of San Antonio’s most ambitious creative and innovation gatherings.

Produced by The Down Market, The Creative Futures Con is a two-day, design-forward summit taking place April 10–11, 2026, bringing together creators, technologists, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders under the theme “Building Worlds.”

Adobe’s sponsorship signals early belief not just in a conference, but in a broader mission: investing in creators, culture, and the future of San Antonio’s creative economy.

“As a first-year conference, starting with Adobe as a Maker Sponsor sets the tone,” said the Creative Futures team. “This partnership is a real vote of confidence in what we’re building—something bold, creative, and grounded in community.”

What the Adobe Maker Sponsorship Includes

As part of the partnership, attendees can expect:

Exclusive Adobe-branded swag
Mini Adobe creative experiences on-site
Prizes including an Adobe swag box and an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription
Free ticket giveaways to the two-day conference
Opportunities to connect with Adobe ambassadors and evangelists

The partnership will also launch Creative Futures’ first fan contest, powered by Adobe, with details to be announced soon.

A Downtown, City-Connected Conference Experience

The Creative Futures Con will activate multiple venues across downtown west San Antonio, creating a walkable, cinematic experience that connects creativity, technology, and culture.

Key locations include:

Geekdom — panels, talks, and innovation programming
300 Main — workshops, activations, and evening experiences
Frost Tower — public-facing activations and community gathering spaces

“The walk-up is part of the story,” organizers note. “The city itself becomes part of the conference.”

Tickets & Registration

�� Two-Day General Admission tickets are available starting January 12, 2026.

Registration and ticketing information can be found at: �� thecreativefutures.com

Creators, brands, and organizations interested in supporting or partnering with The Creative Futures Con are encouraged to reach out directly.

About The Creative Futures Con

The Creative Futures Con is a design-forward, community-powered conference happening April 10–11, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. Built around the belief that creativity is infrastructure, the conference blends panels, workshops, film, fashion, food, technology, and immersive experiences into a single platform for building what’s next.

Big. Real. Future.
Built for the Creators.

Michael Fugoso (FUGSTRATOR) Announced as Keynote Speaker for The Creative Futures Con 2026

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:14:50 GMT

The Creative Futures Con has announced Michael Fugoso, widely known as FUGSTRATOR , as a keynote speaker for its 2026 conference, taking place April 10–11, 2026 in downtown San Antonio.

Michael Fugoso’s story challenges the myth of overnight success. After earning a business degree and working in finance, Fugoso followed a conventional path—until his early thirties, when he made the decision to pursue art professionally. What followed was not a shortcut, but years of discipline, reinvention, and persistence.

Seven years later, Fugoso’s work now exists at the intersection of imagination and precision—quite literally in orbit. His illustrations have been commissioned by organizations including NASA, Boeing, Blue Origin, ArianeGroup, and global brands such as Adobe, IBM, Oracle, Salesforce, and Volvo. Known for his highly detailed depictions of spacecraft, rockets, robots, and futuristic systems, Fugoso’s work blends technical rigor with bold creative vision.

Now based in Austin, Texas, Fugoso is also one of the most recognized instructors on Skillshare, where he teaches creatives how to navigate professional growth with honesty, structure, and zero gatekeeping—helping others reach their breakthrough faster than he did.

His keynote at The Creative Futures Con will focus on reinvention, late bloomers, and the moment when creative ambition finally aligns with action. It’s a conversation for anyone who has ever questioned timing, risk, or whether it’s “too late” to pivot.

“If you’ve ever asked yourself, ‘Is it too late?’—this keynote is for you,” organizers shared.

A Downtown, City-Connected Conference Experience

The Creative Futures Con will activate multiple venues across Downtown West San Antonio, creating a walkable, cinematic experience that connects creativity, technology, and culture.

Key locations include:

Geekdom — panels, talks, and innovation programming
300 Main — workshops, activations, and evening experiences
Frost Tower — public-facing activations and community gathering spaces
Legacy Park — outdoor programming and community moments

“The walk-up is part of the story,” organizers note. “The city itself becomes part of the conference.”

Tickets & Registration

�� Two-Day General Admission tickets are available starting January 12, 2026.

Registration and ticketing information can be found at: �� thecreativefutures.com

Creators, brands, and organizations interested in supporting or partnering with The Creative Futures Con are encouraged to reach out directly.

About The Creative Futures Con

The Creative Futures Con is a design-forward, community-powered conference happening April 10–11, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. Built around the belief that creativity is infrastructure, the conference brings together creators, technologists, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders to explore how culture, innovation, and storytelling shape the future.

Big. Real. Future.
Built for the Creators.