Four Decades on the Regional Exhibition Circuit
For more than four decades, Jenks Productions has anchored the regional home improvement circuit through its Connecticut home shows, connecting local property owners with regional and national building professionals. From its beginnings in the late 1970s, the exhibition portfolio has expanded across multiple counties, establishing key spring and fall mainstays in Hartford, New London, and Fairfield counties.
Origins at the XL Center in Hartford
The company’s footprint traces back to 1979, when the organization produced its inaugural Home Energy Show at the XL Center in Hartford. That initial energy-focused event eventually transformed into the Fall Hartford Home Show, which is now celebrating its 38th anniversary and has transitioned to a larger home at the Connecticut Convention Center.
Expansion Into New London and Bristol
As the exhibition calendar grew during the early 1980s, the organizers pushed outward into eastern and central markets. In 1981, production launched for the Southeastern Connecticut Home Show on the campus of Connecticut College in New London. Shortly after, in 1982, the Bristol Home & Business Expo debuted through a collaborative effort alongside the Bristol Chamber of Commerce.
Reaching Fairfield County and Western Markets
Geographic expansion continued westward with the introduction of the Western New England Home Show in Fairfield County. Staged at The O’Neill Center at Western Connecticut State University, that show marked its twenty-five-year milestone.
The Spring Showcase and Remodeling Marketplace
On the spring calendar, the Hartford Spring Home Show—launched in 1995 and hosted at the XL Center—has grown into a massive showcase. The spring exhibition regularly features more than 250 companies, spanning kitchen cabinet manufacturers, general contractors, and specialized handyman services.
According to event organizers, this dense exhibitor base allows homeowners to evaluate a wide spectrum of regional and national remodelers, homebuilders, and trade specialists under a single roof.
