Meet Chicago Northwest president announces departure

The president of Meet Chicago Northwest is leaving to lead an association in Oregon.

Dave Parulo plans to leave his current role May 7 to become president and CEO of the Washington County Visitors Association in Beaverton, Oregon, according to a news release from Meet Chicago Northwest.

Parulo has served as the president of the tourism organization since 2010. He began working as its director of partnership and business development in 2007 when the group was called The Greater Woodfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, the news release said. He previously worked as a hotel executive for Starwood and Hilton branded hotels in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Minneapolis and Washington, D.C.

While president, Parulo oversaw a rebranding of the region to Meet Chicago Northwest and the establishment of Chicago Northwest Restaurant Week. During his term, the organization was recognized as "best Chicagoland CVB in Illinois" in 2017 and 2019.

Parulo also departs as the chair-elect of the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and as leader of its legislature committee.

During his time at Meet Chicago Northwest, Parulo was recognized as Business Leader of the Year by the Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce. He was also twice nominated for the award by the Arlington Heights Chamber, according to the news release.

He previously served as a mayor-appointed commissioner on both the Arlington Heights Economic Alliance and the Schaumburg Business Development Commission. He's been on a number of community boards, including treasurer of the Schaumburg Park Foundation, a hospitality advisory board member at Harper College and board director of HR Source and the GAO Regional Business Association, the news release said.