From inspiring trade show exhibits, to innovative retail displays, to inventive fixtures, nParallel creates structural marketing solutions that personify brands and motivate customers. We're committed to forming partnerships with our clients, and are passionate about service excellence. Whether the venue for connecting with your customers is a trade show, retail store, mobile marketing environment, or your headquarters, our seasoned pros here at nParallel will collaborate with you to fulfill your big-picture vision.What our clients say:“As we evaluated different agencies, I found nParallel easy to work with. They got it. They knew what our brand is about. With their understanding, attention to detail and competitive pricing, nParallel was the right choice.”-Market Development Director“Every challenge we have asked nParallel to take on they have met and solved with imagination in design, discipline in production, and excellence in customer service.”-Manager, Marketing Communications“Companies’ relationships with exhibit agencies come and go. Our relationship with nParallel has endured because we can depend on them. That longevity stands as the most compelling endorsement we can give.”- Manager of Exhibits & Special Events“nParallel is strategic in exhibit design and visionary in the application of technology, yet down-to-earth and practical.”-Director of Worldwide Marketing

Overview:=======I was introduced to the company through a mutual connection, and hired on based on my previous background in B2B brand-building and marketing experience working within the residential construction products industry. Honestly, this was an amazing job where I was able to pull together my knack for solving problems and creating solutions from a three-dimensional brand experience perspective. One challenging project stands out most in my mind: I had only been employed for two months before I was tapped to lead a project that had been in development for several months. It was a high-profile project that included celebrity guest designers and a 100-year old building. It was a real challenge, but we got it done on-time and on-budget.In this role, I also created brand experiences and solutions that connected company brand and products to targeted consumers and trade partners for this $250 million producer of premium natural quartz stone countertop and surfacing materials. TOP CONTRIBUTIONS:+++++++++++++++++* Generated 100% increase in visitor traffic after creating interactive and engaging trade and consumer brand experience as part of retail build-out of new 4,500 sq. ft. showroom showcasing company’s products and brands. * Sold out (within 2 months) of new POS display tool which quickly became popular with dealers by providing more compelling company product displays that captured consumer retail sales attention.* Positioned company to enjoy YOY increase in product recommendations made by commercial construction clients by creating much-sought-after and simplified sample display solution.* Edged out competitors by developing innovative new retail display tool used by dealers to prominently display company products in high-traffic retail areas. * Achieved highest consumer financing loan volume in company history following marketing project that refreshed finance brochure to provide more compelling copy aimed at netting more users.

Overview:=======Employed at Star since 1997 primarily as an Account Partner, my last role was a stretch assignment as Director of Strategy & Marketing. I added exponentially to my knowledge of digital branding and communications and was recognized as a subject matter expert within all of the verticals Star competed in and as a resource of information and expertise, solving problems and helping pitch and win trade show exhibit and retail display business.One of my biggest take-aways from this role was an appreciation for how much work and detail is involved in creating, developing, and updating a company’s website. Creating a consistent brand that stretches across all digital assets is also important due to the growing power and relevance of online and social marketing solutions. TOP CONTRIBUTIONS: +++++++++++++++++* Increased brand credibility by leading re-launch of company website following disconnects from initial web design; identified core problems and collected feedback from organizational stakeholders to enhance, upgrade, and re-launch new website better showcasing branding service expertise.* Skyrocketed interest in company's new brand message and generated 1000+ individual impressions by creating innovative client contest involving repurposing old marketing materials for Star Bowl 2012; launched brand with targeted digital email blast and micro-site promoting digital marketing prowess of company. * Saved the company thousands of dollars in printing costs by transitioning annual holiday card to animated version as part of new brand launch strategy; established company credibility for providing unique digital solutions by showcasing company creative marketing capabilities.

Overview:=======In this position, it was an amazing experience leading the services teams in developing client solutions. It was pulse-quickening to pitch/present ideas and solutions, then win the business to see the hard work pay off. As the "go-to" person, I earned a reputation for being able to solve difficult or complex problems as an internal resource.What I learned in this position was how to think beyond the obvious or the convention of what a client needs or says he or she needs, and really look beyond to where the opportunities are. Are there better ways, new technologies or methods for reaching a targeted audience?As a team leader, I also motivated, managed, and lead a large group of people which required careful attention to prioritizing projects, delegating tasks, and ensuring alignment with management on the priorities to keep projects moving smoothly and seamlessly within company objectives.TOP CONTRIBUTIONS:+++++++++++++++++* Increased annual trade show exhibit and retail display revenues $900,000 and captured $650,000 in initial new trade show exhibit and retail display sales by expanding exhibit and display design account portfolio including major brands: Best Buy, Valspar Corporation, Craftsman Industrial, Caribou Coffee, Next Window and Red Wing Shoes.* Championed implementation of Salesforce CRM system company-wide to improve transparency, planning and overall client account efficiencies; widened end user accessibility from sales directors to all staff by providing training that enabled staff direct access to simultaneously contributing to client data regarding trade show exhibit, retail display, event marketing and mobile tour opportunities.* Delivered better qualification of new trade show exhibit and retail display business prospects and RFP opportunities by collaborating with business development staff to maximize resource allocation, improve conversion percentages, and improve project transitions from sales to service teams.

Overview:=======Engineering win-win solutions for clients required having a strong finesse developing those relationships, growing the business, and learning a lot about the people, companies, brands and products with whom I worked. Building the company value with internal champions at client accounts reinforced the need to continually nurture those relationships to keep revenue and project pipelines full. TOP CONTRIBUTIONS:+++++++++++++++++* Achieved $9.5+ million in trade show exhibit and retail display revenue through focused client cultivation techniques; mined customer base for unidentified needs, set up regular program of contacts with strategic accounts, established critical ‘touch points’, and consulted with clients to determine effective sales and marketing solutions.* Drove large-scale trade show exhibit project concept to completion within 6 months and translated client concepts / event objectives into displays which created desired attention-getting splash into marketplace.* Captured company’s largest trade show exhibit project representing $6 million in revenue with successful re-launch of newly merged Fortune 500 Client at high-profile industry trade show; consulted extensively with key client decision makers to determine needs and devised exhibit marketing solutions aligning company services with client needs.* Attained 100% customer satisfaction and closed $1.8 million trade show exhibit project re-launching Fortune 500 brand which established aggressive market and brand presence at a time when client competitors were pulling back due to down economy; sales solution generated desired ‘buzz’ and booth traffic as a result for customer.* Collaborated with client marketing department to transcend significant marketplace skepticism and negative perceptions; infused trade show exhibit project with client vision for brand re-launch attracting trade show attendees to reposition products to client satisfaction.

Key Account Executive, 7/ 2000–1/2006Key Account Manager, 7/1998–6/2000Account Manager, 2/1997–6/1998TOP CONTRIBUTIONS:+++++++++++++++++* Won $1.1 million trade show exhibit new build and created new revenue pipeline for annual trade show exhibit, event marketing and retail display program by providing compelling presentations to targeted executives; convinced senior management to award contract to company, and engineered long-term revenue pipeline ensuring steady stream of future repeat business.* Built long-lasting customer relationship for trade show exhibit, event marketing and retail display program spanning 14 years; demonstrated value of continued relationship to client while fostering high degree of trust by proactively responding to customer needs and initiating quality solutions to new project requirements.* Groomed and coached account team to service largest trade show exhibit, event marketing and retail display client involving biggest and most complex projects in company history; team solved multiple project challenges posed by customer preferences and requirements by fostering clear, transparent communications, timely responses, and clarification as needed to refine concepts into final solutions.

Successful business development experience presenting comprehensive hardware and home center retail cooperative programs to prospective members including: cold calls, presentations and signing new members. Communicated retail program benefits to existing members, helping implement and grow their business. All based on a sound understanding of retailing principals, including financial analysis.

Overview:=======Three years of proven retail store planning and merchandising experience. Including: successful management of retail store design team, concept development and implementation, member coop brand management, retail program marketing and visual merchandising project management.TOP CONTRIBUTIONS:+++++++++++++++++* Collaborated with outside retail design consultant to develop and implement new retail store concepts.* Led the process for strategic retail store planning resulting in significant increases in same store sales productivity.* Directed the development and management of retail brand image programs, relating to existing and new retail concepts; including exterior and interior retail sign packages and creative visual merchandising as a result of the pursuit of innovative fixtures.* Improved retail design department professionalism through the implementation of more effective field communication tools.* Improved blueprint creativeness and accuracy through management, team goal setting and the acquisition of new technology.

Overview:=======Two plus years working with independent retail business owners to enhance the visual merchandising and overall retail purchase experience in their stores. The result was greater satisfaction for the customers while positively impacting sales productivity and profits for the business.TOP CONTRIBUTIONS:+++++++++++++++++* Selected as the first project manager to lead the set-up and installation of a New Generation retail concept store implementing a new store identity, visual merchandising and retail fixture program.* Effectively supervised new store set-up, remodeling, relocating, refocusing and visual merchandising of stores resulting in a significant increase in same store sales and profitability.* Improved same store retail productivity through the training of store owners and managers in: visual merchandising and display techniques, buying decisions and basic store operation.

Overview:=======Compiled a lifetime of small business retail experience working in family owned hardware store. Gained valuable experience while pursuing business degree in: customer service, retail store operations, visual merchandising, advertising, merchandise buying and broad understanding of running a small family owned retail business.