NATPE Expanding to Eden Roc, Unveils Reality Breakthrough Finalists

LOS ANGELES: NATPE Miami has revealed the finalists for the Reality Breakthrough Awards and is prepping to expand to the Eden Roc in 2016 to accommodate a growing number of attendees.

When the conference kicks off on January 19, there will be at least 29 new exhibitors from virtually every sector of the business attending the conference for the first time. Due to the increase in attendance, NATPE will expand to the Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort. Rod Perth, the president and CEO of NATPE, has confirmed that the Fontainebleau tower suites are sold out, though there are still booths and meeting tables available on the market floor and in the Fontaine Ballroom at the Fontainebleau. 

"We are delighted that with all of our most important numbers tracking ahead of last year's capacity turnout, we have moved to substantially increase our physical space in 2016 by expanding to the Eden Roc next door to the Fontainebleau,” Perth said. “The increase in exhibition sales and expanded events reflects the tremendous growth we are seeing throughout the conference.”

Perth also revealed the finalists for the second annual Reality Breakthrough Awards and the return of host Howie Mandel. Nominees in the competition category include Alone, American Ninja Warrior, Lip Sync Battle, MasterChef Junior, Shark Tank and The Voice. In the docusoap category, the candidates are Alaskan Bush People, Chrisley Knows Best, I Am Cait, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules and Wahlburgers. Meanwhile, @Midnight, Billy on the Street, Celebrity Family Feud, Hellevator and Hollywood Game Night are in the running for the game show award, with Catfish, Hard Knocks, Married at First Sight, Naked & Afraid and Project Greenlight up for the reality prize. Finalists in the factual category are Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Daily Show, The Jinx and Vice.

The general theme of this year's conference is “Be creative. Be fearless. Be ready.” Sessions will include the Storytellers and Shaping of Pop Culture track, which will feature speakers such as Norman Lear, Quincy Jones and Kris Jenner. The Masters of Marketing track will showcase heavy hitters such as Marc Cherry and Mitch Hurwitz.