Meet the Executive Team
Since 2009, Event Planning Concepts has provided unparalleled, full-service meeting planning services from coast to coast and for every size of event. Our collective 60+ years’ experience in meetings management has allowed us to cultivate strong partnerships and long-term relationships across industries and the world.
In addition to our broad network of clients, vendors, and friends, our core staff has worked together for over a decade, bringing their wealth of experience and camaraderie to every event. This familiarity among our staff allows us to work seamlessly across different projects and client platforms, providing each of our clients a capable, united team with a single point of contact to oversee the operation.
Our senior-level staff
Derek Jenks, CMP, President & CEO
Derek Jenks, a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), has over twenty years of experience in event management with a degree in Hospitality Management, Business Management, with a focus on Meeting Planning and Organization. He has deep knowledge of the meeting planning industry as well as the logistics and execution of large-scale plenary productions and exhibitions.
Derek oversees sales, account management, event logistics, vendor and venue contract negotiations, supplier management, and onsite management. Prior to Event Planning Concepts, Derek held several senior-level operations management positions with event planning firms and large associations. Derek produces plenaries of all sizes and scopes and has worked with CNN, ESPN, ABC, the Office of the President of the United States, and Disney among other organizations. He is a member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Meeting Planners International (MPI), and the Society of Government Meeting Planners (SGMP).
Gabi Mahn is known for her extreme attention to detail, thorough event spec build-out, efficiency, negotiation skills, and customer focus. She prides herself on her happy clients, client retention, and her long-standing relationships and friendships with each of them. As a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), she has over 17 years of experience planning, managing, and successfully executing meetings, conferences, city-wide conventions, and special events for both associations and corporations throughout the United States as well as abroad. Gabi is involved in every step of the event life cycle from the RFP, to contract negotiations, event logistics, supplier management, and onsite management. Prior to coming to EPC, she held a senior-level position at a meeting management firm, producing events for several large associations. She also brings to EPC the knowledge and experience of managing a conference center, and planning conferences and special events for a FORTUNE 500® company as well as staffing and managing catering personnel for such major events as the Super Bowl, U.S. Open, Washington Redskins home games, and big-name concerts.
Jayme Washam, CMP, Project Manager
Jayme Washam, a Certified Meeting Professional in the industry for over 20 years, has a variety of event management experiences. He specializes in exhibitor and sponsor sales, tradeshow management, collaborative event project management, and client transitioning.
Jayme is known for his level-headed thinking style and calm demeanor when it comes to high stress situations. His strong managerial background paves the way for his other responsibilities which include special events and on-site management, vendor and venue RFPs, contract negotiations, supplier management, budget development, speaker and program management, and relationship building. Prior to Event Planning Concepts, Jayme held a senior-level conference planning position at a meetings management firm.
Jayme got his start in the industry in special events, handling a variety of unique, custom events. Jayme is a member of Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and completed the ASAE Hotel Operations Program. Jayme earned his bachelor of science degree from the University of Tennessee with a concentration in communications and journalism.
We produce 12-15 events per year—90% of which are for nonprofit entities. Our successful and streamlined process, in combination with coordinated scheduling of our events, allows us to serve each of our clients with complete attention and focus.
