Introducing Dave Parulo

Dave Parulo: President of Meet Chicago Northwest, the official destination marketing organization for the Chicago Northwest region that proudly represents the Illinois communities of Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Itasca, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg, Streamwood and Wood Dale to make a positive economic impact through tourism and travel visitations.

Parulo, who has served as President of the organization since 2010, joined what was then The Greater Woodfield Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2007 as its Director of Partnership and Business Development.  A thirty-year hospitality professional, he previously worked as a hotel executive for Starwood and Hilton branded hotels in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Minneapolis and Washington, DC.

A few key highlights of his tenure include a rebranding of the region to Meet Chicago Northwest a customer recognized destination promoted with sophisticated marketing campaigns, establishment of Chicago Northwest Restaurant Week, empowerment of a nationally recognized market driven sales team, adoption of an “all-in” community partnership model, leadership of statewide funding reforms that led to a financially secure and impactful organization.  During his term, the organization was recognized as “Best Chicagoland CVB in Illinois” in 2017 and 2019.

Recognized as tourism leader in leader in Illinois, Parulo departs as the Chair-Elect of the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and as an engaged leader of its Legislative Committee.

To support regional growth he served as a Mayoral appointed commissioner on both the Arlington Heights Economic Alliance and the Schaumburg Business Development Commission.  An active participant on community boards, he was treasurer of the Schaumburg Park Foundation, board director of HR Source and The GOA Regional Business Association and is a past board member of the Schaumburg Business Association. Dedicated to student career development, he assisted Harper College as a hospitality advisory board member.

During his time at Meet Chicago Northwest he was recognized as Business Leader of the Year by the Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce and twice nominated for Business Leader of the Year by the Arlington Heights Chamber.

A native of Western Pennsylvania, he is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Dave and his spouse, Claudia, are travel enthusiasts having visiting 25 international countries.  Together they are extremely grateful for the warm embrace offered by the Chicago Northwest community and are excited about the next chapter of their lives in the Pacific Northwest.