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 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.”
Less Travel, Same Passion
Since the pandemic, project managers travel less than they used to. Still, Gandel has made memorable trips to San Diego, Dallas and his favorite, San Francisco.
“We finished a booth a day early, so I walked 26 miles around the city, starting at the Golden Gate Bridge,” he recalls. “It was amazing.”
Work Hard, Play Hard
Off the clock, Gandel embraces the outdoors and competition. He plays softball three nights a week during the summer and enjoys hunting and fishing.
“I grew up a skateboarder,” he adds. “I still skateboard and snowboard in the winter and I’m an avid snowmobiler.”
Recently, he bought a home close to his parents in Crystal. His upbringing, he says, shaped his work ethic.
“My dad did concrete work and my mom is a daycare teacher,” Gandel recalls. “I grew up with the idea of collectiveness—helping others, working hard. I thought I’d follow a blue-collar path. I even worked for the City of Crystal doing underground utilities while in college.”
A trampoline accident changed his direction, forcing him to pause and reconsider.
“I hurt my back and decided to pivot,” he says. “College became this huge turning point. I learned so much from my professors and peers and even spent a semester abroad in Oxford, England.”
Finding His Calling
Graduating during COVID-19, Gandel faced uncertainty. “I was unemployed and knew a couple of people in the industry,” he says. “The creative director helped me get a foot in the door at NPARALLEL + Atomic Props.”
After a brief layoff, he worked at Continental Clay, a school distributor, before NPARALLEL + Atomic Props hired him back. Within three weeks, he attended his first show.
“I’ve grown and learned a lot because I had to,” he reflects. “Four years later, I’m still here—and we’ve done so many activations, exhibits and installations. It’s been an incredible ride.”
Looking Ahead
Gandel is optimistic about the future of the tradeshow industry.
“This is an industry that I don’t think will ever go away,” he says. “But it’s not always attracting younger people to some of its core roles. I want to help change that—to bring in fresh minds and keep our story alive. I love this industry.”
For Gandel, it all comes down to connection—between people, between teams, and between brands and audiences.
“That’s what keeps me going,” he says. “Every project is a new opportunity to bring something to life.”
For more information, visit nparallel.com.
This story originally appeared in the Q1 2026 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 82. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_jan_feb_mar_2026/82.
