Austin Wingle

Marketing manager, design and creative analysis

Visit Tri-Cities

Age: 32

Current city of residence: Kennewick

Briefly describe your company:

Visit Tri-Cities is the destination marketing organization for the Tri-Cities region and works to promote the area to conference and convention meeting planners, sporting event planners and leisure travelers. By promoting the Tri-Cities as a premiere travel destination, we help bring visitors into the area to spend money to help with economic impact.

How long have you worked there?

4.5 years

Briefly describe your job and what you do. Tell us how you got into it.

I am the in-house graphic designer and marketing manager. I translate marketing content into visual designs to help market the Tri-Cities to attract visitors. I also oversee much of our digital and print advertising efforts where I design and develop content for ads, as well as analyze incoming data showing how well our ads performed so we know what direction to go to help increase visitation. From designing postcards and maps, to writing short form copy and developing our weekly newsletter, I wear a few hats within the marketing department, with the goal of telling the stories of the Tri-Cities and increasing visitation and hotel nights booked.

Tell us about your work history.

I started my professional career by working for Washington State University Tri-Cities where I was the program coordinator for the Office of Student Life, which was the extracurricular, outside-the-classroom experiences department at the school. I oversaw student clubs and organizations, as well as student-led events and student communications. After working there as a student graphic designer, I was fortunate to get a full-time job out there.

From WSU Tri-Cities, I went to Community First Bank and HFG Trust where I was the multimedia specialist. I oversaw all design, brand and video work. I helped the organization through a brand refresh as we combined two companies into one brand, as well as starting their video series to help promote products and services.

After a little over two years with the bank and wealth management firm, I came to Visit Tri-Cities.

Tell us about your first job.

My first job was at Columbia Basin College as a student math/statistics tutor. I was looking at the time for an on-campus job at CBC that would fit with my busy school schedule and was able to connect with the Tutoring Center. I was a general math tutor for students as well as a statistics tutor.

What advice would you give to your younger self about achieving success?

I would tell my younger self to put yourself out there just a little bit more. I think that my shyness and social anxiety when I was younger got to me to where I thought I couldn’t do something because of my shyness and quietness. That though, is not true, and I can now see that as I have lived life more. I would tell my younger self to make connections and to not be afraid of not knowing exactly what to do because a lot of us are in that same boat. By taking that leap and putting myself out there more, I think that my self-confidence would have grown more to help me achieve the successes I wanted to accomplish.

What was your dream job as a child?

Working as a producer for Cirque du Soleil.

Who are your role models – and why? Tell us what you learned from them. What do you consider your leadership style to be?

My role models are firstly, my parents. My parents instilled into me to give back to the community in which you live. I learned about community involvement from them. They are my role models because they not only support me in all that I do, but they have shown me the way to be a good community member and person. My parents have always shown encouragement and support in all that I do, and I hope to replicate that with others in my network and life. My parents have been involved in the community for a while and have been coaches, board members of nonprofits and volunteers.

My other role model is my former supervisor from WSU Tri-Cities, Danielle Kleist. She taught me to voice my ideas, thoughts and opinions in the workplace and to not be afraid. She taught me that being quiet is OK, but to speak up and to share. She helped me find the confidence that I now have in the workplace so that I can contribute and be the best that I can, and knowing what value I bring to the table. With all of that, my leadership style is servant leadership. I believe in the power of people and putting people first with a growth-and-giving-back mindset. I think my active listening and natural quietness fits in well with this as I use those as strengths for myself to help give back and empower others.

What else should we know about you?

Outside of my career and volunteering, I also own a very small business with my mom called Mums & Suns. We sell locally-grown plants, handmade leather and wood goods, and handmade concrete planters. With the rise of AI, we think that handmade goods are more important than ever! We try to make handmade goods accessible through fair pricing, as well as educating customers on plant care. We are a small but mighty business.

Do you have family? Pets? Tell us about them.

I have two older brothers and two older sisters, all of whom live here in the Tri-Cities. I have six nieces and four nephews, most of whom live in the area as well. Only two nieces live outside of the area. I live in Kennewick with my partner and our mini golden doodle, Daisy. My parents also live in the Tri-Cities, as well as an aunt and uncle. Both sides of my parents are transplants to the Tri-Cities and are originally from Colorado and South Dakota.

How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? If you didn’t grow up here, what brought you here?

I have lived my whole life in the Tri-Cities and I don’t plan on moving! I was born in Kennewick and raised in Richland. I went to Richland High School before going to CBC and WSU Tri-Cities. I love living in the Tri-Cities and think it is a great place to live, work and play.

What’s your dream vacation?

My dream vacation would be to Portofino, Italy, where I can relax all day. I also loved going to Hawaii and would consider that a dream vacation as well.

Planner or procrastinator?

Procrastinator. I work well under pressure but always keep to my deadlines.

First car?

Silver Hyundai XG350

Introvert or extrovert?

Introvert

Favorite thing to do in Tri-Cities?

My favorite thing to do in the Tri-Cities is to paddle board on the river, specifically I go out at Two Rivers.

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?

I am a huge Cirque du Soleil fan and that I was in Mid-Columbia’s Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” in an acting role for 11 seasons.

Favorite Tri-City restaurant?

Fable

Favorite day of the week?

Saturday

Text, email, phone call?

Text

Would you rather travel back in time or to the future?

I would rather travel back in time.