NATPE 2011: NATPE Wraps With Higher Numbers, More Buzz

Show attendance up at least 22% over last year

By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/27/2011 10:34:05 AM

Complete Coverage: NATPE 2011

NATPE wrapped its annual programming conference on Wednesday, Jan. 26, and early returns indicate that it's a recovery year for the show that's been in as much transition as the industry it covers.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 25, NATPE had registered 4,504 attendees, up 22% over last year's confab in Vegas. Registered buyers of content were 702, up 94% -- or nearly doubled - from 2010. Approximately 285 station executives attended, an increase of approximately 71%.

Rick Feldman, NATPE's president and CEO, expected overall registration numbers to increase by about 500 when the final tally was completed on Wednesday.

While NATPE officially has 30 days to confirm its contract with the Fontainebleau Resort Complex in Miami Beach, it is expected that the show will return there next January. There were some logistical issues - particularly a very crowded and slow elevator bank headed up to exhibitor suites and attendee rooms - but overall holding the show at a Miami Beach resort seemed to breathe new life into the gathering. Many more attendees, exhibitors and distributors came from international markets, while the Hollywood contingent remained strong.

"We are very pleased to see a substantial growth in the number of people here at NATPE Miami," said Feldman. "The general buzz of people doing business throughout the resort - from the lobby, to the suites to the cabanas overlooking the ocean - has been very gratifying."

Next year, Generate CEO Jordan Levin and Shine Group CEO Chris Grant will oversee the NATPE Board, taking over the job from Lionsgate's Kevin Beggs, who has served as NATPE's chairman since 2008.