During the 2008 recession, Kacy and Alexis Jenkins made a bold move that most people would have called crazy—the newly-engaged couple quit their jobs and launched an event agency in Crofton, Md. Only in their twenties at the time, the pair capitalized on their work experience at a small music venue management company to grow their new business into what is now known as Humdinger Productions, a full-service event design, fabrication, and production company.

From festivals and concerts to exhibitions and experiential marketing, Humdinger handles every nuance of event planning such as staffing, stage décor, promotional items, and audio/visual services.

“We have turned parking lots, parking garages, bridge underpasses, and college gyms into high-end event spaces,” said Alexis. “In the last 11 years we have evolved into a tribe of artists, live event production managers, fabricators and carpenters, AV engineers, production managers, and creative marketing coordinators with passion and enthusiasm for live events, a shared sense of community, and a goal of expansion.”

The company’s past client list boasts celebrity names including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, 21 Savage, ScHoolBoy Q, and the late Mac Miller. It’s easy to see why they have earned recognition from the top names in the music industry. Humdinger was the 2016 winner of the Bridging the Gap awards program, which celebrates successful minority- and women-owned businesses. They were also the 2018 Enterprising Women of the Year awards winner among companies their size.

“Being a job creator is probably our biggest accomplishment,” said Alexis. “We just mailed out 52 W2’s for 2018 and currently employ 14 full-time positions.”

As the company looks towards future growth and expansion, they hope to acquire a complementary business to Humdinger and graduate from renters to owners of a facility. By utilizing cutting-edge technology in every aspect of event production – including the ability to print directly onto massive materials weighing up to 220 pounds using their in-house UV flatbed Roland printer – Humdinger sets itself apart from other names in the industry.

“We are a young company compared to some of our competitors,” said Alexis. “We aren’t your grandfather’s event business. We are very hungry and we have a lot of stamina. We treat every client as though they are our only one and that pushes us to give 110 percent.”

To get an idea of how hungry Humdinger is, here’s a scenario in 2010 that co-owner Kacy found himself in: standing on stage at Radio City Music Hall with Drake while on the phone working on a Mac Miller show that was happening at the same time in New Orleans, settling a show remotely for Pier Six Pavilion back in Baltimore, and advancing a Wiz Khalifa tour that he had been hired as production manager for, all while running the full-service event company that had local college shows in the works.

“There is an element of this industry that feels more like a lifestyle than an occupation,” said Alexis. “You have to become the embodiment of what you want to create. If you love the idea of being creative and being involved with big group activities, then the live event design business will feel intrinsically real and there won’t be any other occupation like it.”

For more information about Humdinger Productions, visit humdingerproductions.com.