NATPE 2013 On Pace to Exceed Previous Years

LOS ANGELES: The upcoming edition of NATPE, which marks the 50th anniversary of the event, is on track to be its biggest in Miami yet, with buyer registration already ahead 31 percent from last year.

On a phone call with press earlier today, Rod Perth, the president and CEO of NATPE, highlighted that the number of companies confirmed to exhibit is also pacing ahead of the same time last year, approaching nearly 300 confirmed exhibitors to date. He pointed out that 27 of those exhibitors will be first-time NATPE attendees. The Market Floor is already completely sold out, as are all the suites in the Tresor Tower.

Perth also unveiled a number of new names that have been added to the conference lineup, among them Glen Mazzara, executive producer and showrunner of The Walking Dead; Mitch Hurwitz, executive producer of Arrested Development; and Peter Casey, executive producer/co-creator of Frasier and Wings and writer/producer of Cheers and The Jeffersons.

"This is our 50th, we want to make it special," Perth told members of the press on the call. To celebrate, NATPE has a number of special events lined up, including a 50th "birthday party" that will feature Fitz and the Tantrums.

NATPE, which this year features the theme "Beyond Disruption," takes place January 28 to 30 at the Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach.