VisitPITTSBURGH, the official tourism promotion agency for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, has hired Jerad Bachar as executive vice president after a nationwide search. As executive vice president, Bachar will oversee convention sales, destination services, partnership development, research and SportsPITTSBURGH, and will be a member of the executive team. His first day was Jan. 14.
Bachar worked as a national sales director for the Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau from 2004-2008, known now as VisitPITTSBURGH, both in Pittsburgh and Washington D.C., before he accepted a position in Dubai. Most recently, he worked as the executive director of the Economic Development Board for the country of Bahrain, where he developed and implemented investment promotion strategies in the tourism, healthcare, education and real estate sectors. In that role, he oversaw the development of approximately $1 billion in new investment into these strategic sectors. Prior to that position, he was a strategic adviser to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority.
Bachar began his decade of service in the Middle East as a divisional director at the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. During his tenure at Dubai Tourism, he created an events division structure with the focus on attracting and developing international business and leisure events for the city of Dubai. The newly formed division was responsible for establishing the destination as the premier events hub in the Middle East.
“Jerad is a proven leader with expertise in sales, economic planning, organizational structure and stakeholder networks,” says Craig Davis, president and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “His international sales experience will be extremely beneficial as we continue to grow and expand our global reach, and he knows Pittsburgh. We’re thrilled to have him back at VisitPITTSBURGH.”
In addition to his present role and his previous position with VisitPITTSBURGH, Bachar has held multiple positions within the travel and tourism industry. He also earned the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation from Destination Marketing Association International, now known as DI, in 2012, and is currently pursuing an MBA through the University of Liverpool, U.K.
With 90 unique neighborhoods that make up Pittsburgh, there is something new around every corner. Between diverse and exciting art programs, ranging from eclectic theater to experimental visual arts and the sports history of the City of Champions which can be experienced at the Clemente Museum or at any of the city’s iconic sports facilities, it’s clear to see that Pittsburgh has quite a story to tell. For more info, visit www.visitpittsburgh.com/
