
Pat Strader
Chief Innovation Officer and President
Shaping narratives and strategies that connect people to places.
Speaking Topics
Adapting to Change: Insights Into Appalachian Travelers
The Appalachian travel landscape is evolving, and old marketing assumptions no longer work. In this data-rich presentation, Pat leverages decades of tourism experience and cutting-edge analytics to reveal the modern Appalachian traveler. He provides a clear roadmap for understanding their motivations and digital habits, equipping organizations to build strategies that authentically connect with today’s visitors.
Ideal Audience:
Perfect for Tourism Boards, Convention & Visitors Bureaus (CVBs), Economic Development Agencies and Hospitality or Outdoor Recreation Associations.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to leverage real-time data to understand the motivations and behaviors of today’s Appalachian traveler.
- Discover how to craft authentic narratives and digital campaigns that resonate with diverse visitor segments, from adventure seekers to cultural tourists.
Testimonials
“Engaging and relevant, Pat Strader delivers forward-thinking presentations that make complex marketing trends feel practical and actionable. His ability to stay current and connect innovation directly to real-world tourism marketing strategies is especially valuable, with clear ideas for how organizations like mine can remain competitive in an ever-changing digital landscape. I appreciate how he translates emerging technologies into meaningful opportunities for growth, visibility and reputation building within the tourism industry. His insights left me feeling both informed and inspired about tourism marketing opportunities.”
Becky Sullivan, New River Gorge CVB
“The hospitality and tourism industry in West Virginia is growing quickly, and so is the role of AI in how businesses and travelers operate. Attendees at our Hospitality University Conference were able to hear about the latest AI trends from Pat, and he did an excellent job explaining how the trends will impact their businesses and customers.”
Jordon Nuzum, West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association
“As a convention and visitors bureau (CVB), we are always working to improve how we connect with our guests, from social media and website content to direct visitor interactions. With a small team, efficiency is essential, and these AI sessions provided practical, strategic insights that have enhanced our workflow. We’ve used AI to refine marketing content, improve clarity and readability in our messaging and analyze data and audience sentiment more effectively. Instead of feeling intimidating, AI has become a valuable tool that strengthens our strategy, productivity and overall impact.”
Chelsea Faulknier, Pocahontas County CVB



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Upcoming Appearances

Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative Webinar
Tuesday, June 23
Awards & Accolades
The work led by Pat and the Digital Relativity team has been consistently recognized for excellence in marketing and advertising. Highlights include:
List of Accolades:
- Stars of Almost Heaven Awards (2024): Winner for Digital Media and Overall Marketing Campaign.
- Telly Awards (2020, 2023, 2024, 2025): Multiple Silver and Bronze Tellys for excellence in video production for clients like the West Virginia Lottery, WVABLE, and the WV Governor’s Highway Safety Program, Paranormal Trail and Jumpstart Savings Program.
- American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) (2016-2019): Numerous awards including Best of Show, Judge’s Choice, and multiple Gold and Silver ADDYs for campaigns, brand identity, web design, and video content for clients like the WV Department of Tourism, WV Lottery, and GoMart.
- Southeast Tourism Society (2016): Shining Example Award for Best Marketing.
- ESTO Award (2025): Recognized for outstanding marketing for West Virginia Tourism’s Paranormal Trail. *finalist
- INC. Best Workplaces 2024 & 2025
- PRSA-WV Crystal Awards 2025: Gold for Best Overall Tactic and Annual Report (West Virginia Housing Development Fund Report); Events & Observances (WV Department of Tourism Paranormal Trail); Video—Scripted, Non-Broadcast (Pocahontas County CVB Spring Campaign); and Website—External (WV Department of Commerce: WorkForce West Virginia)
Professional Certifications
- Wharton University of Pennsylvania Online: AI for Business
- Trade Desk Trading Academy Certified – Professional
- Trade Desk Trading Academy Certified – Connected TV
- Trade Desk Trading Academy Certified – Practitioner
- Google Ads Search Certification
- Google Analytics Certification (including GA4)
- SEMrush Academy Digital Agencies Certification
- SEMrush Academy Keyword Research Certification
- SEMrush Academy SEO Toolkit Exam
- SEMrush Academy Site Audit Exam
- AI for Marketing