DAY IN THE LIFE
Pivoting Into Tradeshows BY DEBBIE HALL
For Chase Gandel, a project manager at NPARALLEL + Atomic Props, life moves between precision, people, and purpose. Based in his hometown of Crystal, Minnesota, Gandel manages a portfolio of brand activations and tradeshow exhibits across the United States. “I fell into this career while pursuing other avenues,” he says. “I’ve embraced it completely.” From Midwest Roots to Brand Activations NPARALLEL + Atomic Props is an experiential marketing agency that transforms brand activations into meaningful connections. The 82 Jan/Feb/Mar 2026 Exhibit City News
company’s award-winning tradeshow exhibits, immersive brand activations, and innovative advertising installations help brands tell stories that stick. “We help people immerse themselves in experiential marketing,” says Gandel. At NPARALLEL + Atomic Props, Gandel’s role bridges creative vision and logistical execution to bring each project to life. His work begins when a project is handed off from the creative team. From there, he handles estimates based on renders and conversations the creative team has had with clients. “During the estimation phase, there’s a lot of back and forth,” he says. “We make sure we’re
accounting for form, fit, and function so the client knows exactly what they’re getting.” Once the client signs off with a letter of agreement, the real project management begins. “My focus then shifts to creating that job, facilitating orders and making sure everything runs smoothly,” says Gandel. “In some ways, I also act as a purchasing agent—estimating all the parts we need for the project, ordering them and making sure the team knows what’s coming down the pipeline.” The Details Behind the Design The detailing team then draws out the project in a
CAD program based on the creative team’s original model. Those detailed drawings flow through Gandel and his project management team. “I’m making sure every vendor and internal team has what they need once we hand it off,” he says. “We also approve graphics, double-check substrates and sizes and ensure that if something’s going on a wall, everyone’s ready for it. There’s a lot of coordination.” Every day at NPARALLEL + Atomic Props is different, and Gandel’s workload depends on the season. Winter months tend to be busier as tradeshows peak. “Every morning starts with checking emails,” he says. “This industry moves fast, and we’re a lean manufacturing-style facility so I need to make sure nothing urgent is waiting.” A typical day includes checking on projects in progress, meeting with team leads and coordinating schedules and materials. On any given week, the project management team might be juggling one or a dozen jobs, depending on the scale and scope of the project. NPARALLEL + Atomic Props has a team of project managers who work on a variety of different projects. “It’s all about personal interaction,” Gandel notes. “I’m making sure everybody has what they need—whether it’s facilitating estimates, work orders, or moving projects between sales and production. It’s a lot of running around, but I love it.”