Robert E. Harar, Chairman, founded National Trade Productions in 1976 with the goal of becoming the country's premier trade show, conference, association meeting and corporate events producer. Under his leadership, NTP has produced over 1,000 events worldwide in more than 20 industries.

Robert’s vision for NTP is an entrepreneurial culture that includes a mix of proprietary events and events managed for clients. The shows NTP has created and owned include FOSE, a Tradeshow 200 event with more than 75,000 registered attendees. Over the years, Robert has developed an organization that provides tremendous opportunity for aggressive and energetic talents, encouraging employees to develop and institute new ideas.

Among his many contributions to the industry, Robert was the Chair of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO), and is a featured speaker at many events. He has participated as a member of the Board of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) and has made significant financial contributions towards its success. Robert currently serves as the Chairman for National Trade Productions and works as a consultant for organizations facing significant change within their event.

Karin Fendrich
Chief Operating Officer

Karin started her career in the tradeshow industry in 1993 joining NTP as an Accounting Manager. She has extensive experience handling the sales and acquisitions of business units, including the transfer of four major tradeshows. During her tenure at NTP, she has been involved in many facets of the operations of NTP. She currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer responsible for the overall administration and business operations for NTP. Her areas of responsibility include administration, IT, personnel and fiscal management.

Previous to her time at NTP, Karin worked for over six years in public accounting, including three years on the audit staff of Arthur Andersen & Co.   In addition, she has served as an outsourced Controller to companies within the tradeshow industry.

Karin is a graduate of George Mason University with a B.S. in Accounting and is a licensed Virginia Certified Public Accountant. 

Jennifer Hoff
President, Events

Jennifer has been in the trade show industry since 1989, joining the NTP team as FOSE conference organizer in 1992. She received multiple promotions throughout her career at NTP and now is President, Events Division. In this capacity, Jennifer oversees the sales, marketing, operations, logistics and customer service for NTP’s conferences and expositions.

Jennifer is actively involved in the trade show industry. She is currently serving on the IAEE (International Association of Expositions and Events) and MATSO (Major American Trade Show Organizers) Boards of Directors. She has served on the  board and various committees for the IAEE DC Chapter. 

Jennifer has been a CEM (Certified Exposition Manager) since 1998. This designation requires recertification every three years. She serves on the CEM program faculty for IAEE  and teaches a number of full-day courses throughout the year including Crisis Management, Project Management and Trade Show Operations. She has also contributed to the Art of the Show 3rd edition, which is a text book used in colleges and universities.    Jennifer has instructed the Introduction to Exposition Management course at Northern Virginia Community College. The course is an intensive 16 week course that covers all aspects of trade show management.

Jennifer has a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech in Production and Operations Management. 

Paige Cardwell
President, CSG Creative

Paige oversees the corporate marketing for National Trade Productions (NTP) and CSG, NTP's creative design firm, as well as the marketing initiatives for all clients. An association veteran, Paige spent six years marketing and producing association expositions, conferences and events in dynamic consumer product industries before coming to NTP in 1998.

Her expertise in new business development and strategic marketing tactics has enabled her to consistently increase exposition sales and conference attendance in very competitive markets. She has marketed more than 100 trade shows and conferences and has been awarded five “Art of the Show” awards from IAEM.

Paige joined NTP from the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association where she was director of marketing. Prior to her tenure at SBCA, Paige spent three years with the National Coffee Service Association as national events and membership manager. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Pennsylvania.

Paige is a member of the Direct Marketing Association, American Institute of Graphic Arts, and the International Association of Exposition Managers.