Jerad Bachar, President & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH, Named 2024 C-Suite Award Recipient by Pittsburgh Business Times
Annual award class honors leaders who go above and beyond to make a difference across Pittsburgh region
(PITTSBURGH, PA) – VisitPITTSBURGH proudly announces that Jerad Bachar, President & CEO, has been named to the 2024 Class of C-Suite Award recipients by the Pittsburgh Business Times. This accolade recognizes outstanding executives who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and impact across the Pittsburgh region.
Under Bachar’s guidance, VisitPITTSBURGH has experienced unprecedented recovery, growth and prominence as a world-class tourism destination. His innovative strategies have elevated Pittsburgh’s profile as a premier travel destination, driving more than 20 million visitors and bolstering $6.4 billion in direct visitor spending across Allegheny County each year.
Assuming his position at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bachar played an instrumental role in guiding VisitPITTSBURGH and the region’s tourism sector with resilience and foresight. When travel halted worldwide, under Bachar’s leadership, Pittsburgh’s travel industry kept moving with the research and development of a 10-Year Tourism Development Plan, complete with 40 strategies and 80 unique action items to enhance in-market experiences, connectivity and industry development across Allegheny County.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor and testament to the hard work of the entire VisitPITTSBURGH team,” said Bachar. “Since day one on the job, our collective efforts have been focused on propelling Pittsburgh’s travel industry forward and setting us apart as a must-visit destination for conventions, sports events and leisure travel.”
Bachar’s innovative and collaborative approach to leadership has fostered key partnerships that have enhanced the city’s economic vitality and global reputation. This is evidenced by the successful launch of a new global consumer brand and national travel accolades, including top spots in National Geographic, Men’s Journal Travel Awards, USA Today, among others.
Thanks to his collaborative spirit, Bachar has positioned Pittsburgh as the host city for major, global events like the 2023 National Senior Games, and most recently, the 2026 NFL Draft.
“None of the work we do at VisitPITTSBURGH is in a silo, and I’m grateful for the strategic partnerships and regional support that has been pivotal to the travel industry’s recovery and growth,” said Bachar. “I look forward to continuing to work across our team and community to develop and promote Pittsburgh as a world-class tourism destination now and for years to come.”
Bachar boasts more than 30 years of tourism and economic development experience in an array of countries and business environments, including the United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He has worked in developed and emerging markets in destination branding and marketing, economic development, diversification and workforce development. In addition to the 2024 C-Suite Award, he has received several accolades, including being named to the City & State Pennsylvania’s Pittsburgh Power 100 list in both 2022 and 2023.
The C-Suite Awards celebrate top executives across a variety of industries that demonstrate forward-thinking leadership and significant contributions to the industries they serve. To view the full list of this year’s award recipients, click here.