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

Featured At

Upcoming Appearances


West Virginia University Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative official logo

Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative Webinar

Tuesday, June 23


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