Pat
Strader
Chief innovation officer & President
Pat shapes narratives and strategies that connect people to places. He brings years of real-world experience and strategic thinking to the stage, offering fresh perspectives and challenging audiences to think differently.
Speaking Topic
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.
Featured At
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) Finalist: Recognized for outstanding marketing for West Virginia Tourism’s Paranormal Trail.
- 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
- AI for Marketing
Start a Conversation
with Pat.
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