Connecticut Kids Fair 2019

Charmagne Harris – Event Planner

After graduating from the MacDuffie School and completing a freshman year of college, Charmagne spent the next 26 years as a mother and wife, during those formative years with her children. Charmagne learned the art of repainting collectible, antique mechanical banks as a part time assistant when time permitted. Snow skiing became a weekend family sport leading to a long-term friendship with Alpine Haus former owner, Peter Aldridge. Pete enlisted Charmagne’s help, part time, in his ski shop, the Alpine Haus. Pete’s friendship with Dennis Jenks opened the door for Charmagne to explore anew opportunity. In February 1996, Charmagne began her successful career as a sales associate. Adopting the nickname “Charlee”, she began absorbing as much as possible Jenks Productions; quickly realizing she had found her passion in the consumer show management industry. In 1998, Charmagne intuitively increased her sales generation by launching her own business website establishing a direct sales connection for continued growth at Jenks Productions, a close-knit family business. Her passion has resulted in a 23+ years working relationship where Charmagne has immersed herself in learning as much as possible about the industry, recognizing the complement to successful sales is a full understanding and knowledge of every aspect of the business. Now, as Sales Manager for Jenks Productions, Charmagne shares her passion for the industry with the Jenks” team, imparting her intuitiveness, experience and enthusiasm to develop continued growth & business production. Tim Harris, Operations Manager for 20+ years at Jenks Productions, is Charmagne’s husband.

Charmagne’s loyal office “assistant” is her loving golden retriever – Whisper, a valued “team member.”

In the off season, as the hectic show season changes focus, Charmagne enjoys working remotely from / retreating to Cape Cod, enjoying the comfort of family & friends; thriving on the restorative sea air properties; morning walks on the boardwalk delighting in early morning sunrises and spectacular sunsets; building Sand Castles and collecting sea Glass.

Charmagne “Charlee” Harris – Sales Manager & Event Planner

charlee@jenksproductions.com

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A Graduate of The University of Hartford, Dennis began his career as the general manager and free-style ski director of Brody Mountain in the Massachusetts Berkshires (now closed). Through this experience Dennis started off as an exhibitor for Brody at local, regional and national ski trade shows. During this time, Dennis was also a professional free-style snow skier. After Brody, Dennis briefly worked for a Hartford based consumer show promoter.
During the energy crisis of the late 70’s, Dennis envisioned his first trade show- an Energy Exhibition. With the immediate success of his first expo, his event business began to grow. Through the 1980’s Dennis expanded their event portfolio and the genres of events produced. Jenks Productions produced over 300 events in over 8 states. Genres of show produced included RV Shows, Boat Shows, Car Shows, Pet Shows, Home Shows, Energy Shows, Bridal Shows and Kids Shows.
Dennis is very proud the company has weathered two major recessions and is still going strong. As of the 2017-2018 season Jenks currently owns and produces 22 events in five states, making them the largest producer of consumer shows in the Northeast.
Dennis is still a national ranked water-skier and recently broke the Eastern Region slalom record for his age division. When he’s not busy working you can find him on the lake getting in some turns or up in the mountain enjoying skiing the sport that really jump started his entire career.

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A graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Economics. Wes has been working in the family business almost his entire life. It really started in his early teens when he would sell products as an exhibitor in the shows. Wes has been working full time with Jenks Productions now for nine years and acts as Vice President primarily focusing on Event Marketing, Media Relations, Sponsorships and emerging markets. Having been in the business so long Wes say’s, “There is no better marketing than face-face, all but forgotten in today’s digital age. We prove year after year people still want to meet whom they’re going to do business with and see their products in real life!”

Wes also serves on the Conservation Lake Commission in the town of East Hampton, dedicated to improving lake quality and preserving the town’s natural resources. Wes is an active Commercial Real Estate Broker licensed in three states, Connecticut, Florida and New York. When time and weather permit you’ll find him out in the water surfing and wakeboarding or in the Mountains chasing down some powder. Wes, a former national champion water-skier, believes being active in nature is a much-needed relief from the day-to-day office environment.

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