www.negociosnow.com
February 2017 33
Director of Media Relations,
Choose Chicago
Melanie Perez is an instru-
mental member of the media re-
lations team at Choose Chicago,
the official destination marketing
organization for the city of Chi-
cago. In her role, Perez is focused
on promoting Chicago as a lei-
sure destination in the Americas
region, with special attention
to markets in the U.S., Canada,
Mexico and Brazil. She interacts
with journalists, reporters and
freelance writers from across the
region and world to share the
Chicago story, positioning the
city, along with its cultural insti-
tutions, major attractions, stellar
restaurant scene and expanding
hotel market, as a leading U.S.
destination nationally and inter-
nationally. In 2016, visitation to
Chicago set a new record of 54.1
million visitors to the city, an in-
crease of 1.5 million visitors over
2015, or 2.9 percent.
After discovering her love
of words while studying at De-
Paul University, Perez decided
to pursue a degree in Commu-
nications with a concentration
in Public Relations. She finis-
hed her college years at Boston
University, where she was able
to study abroad in Padova, Italy.
Her time abroad further fed into
her yearning for travel and dis-
covering new places.
Prior to joining Choose Chi-
cago, Perez served as corporate
communications manager for
global ad agency FCB, formerly
DraftFCB, headquartered in
Chicago. She's long held roles in
communications, always with
an international perspective.
She started her career as the
international public relations
executive for global market re-
search firm, Euromonitor Inter-
national.
Perez was born and raised
in Logan Square, where she cu-
rrently resides.
Melanie Perez, 31
Inspiring
millions
to visit
Chicago
"S
trive daily for discernment in
what you do, say and think.
You're bound to learn, grow and
find more fulfillment that way."
