Here’s to Great Memories from the 2025 Conference!
The “Live in 2025” CWA 31st Annual Communications Conference was a smashing success, thanks to CWA President Lynn Thompson, the Conference Committee, our sponsors, and fabulous CWA members. You made this year’s conference a great time for all!
Information about the 2025 conference presentations, social events, and schedule can be found below.
Presenters and Topics
The CWA Communications Conference included esteemed experts from extant fields who presented on an array of cutting-edge topics, including:
- Starting and Managing a Successful Writing Business
- Attracting the Attention of Editors in Today’s Media Environment
- Unlocking Your Next Cat-tastic Story
- Fast Starts — How to Hook Your Reader
- Great Book Publicity Starts with Setting Goals
- Self-Publishing Essentials
- Making Money as a Freelance Writer
- Marketing your Creative Work
- Ethical AI Use
- AI as Your Muse, Critic, and Co-Creator
- Improving Your Writing with Authoritative Sources
- Confidence On Camera, In Person, and In Life
- Tips on Becoming an Effective Speaker
- The latest in Cat Nutrition, and
- Writing to Save Cats
For detailed information about workshops and our fabulous presenters, click the button below.
Pan down for information about the festivities and Frequently Asked Questions.
Conference Schedule
Thursday, October 23, 2025:
- 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT – Pre-Conference Swag Bag Stuffing Mixer (in-person attendees only)
Friday, October 24, 2025:
*These events will be available online later.
- 9:00 AM EDT – Opening remarks (cast to virtual attendees + recorded)
- 9:30 AM to 5:35 PM EDT – Live workshops (cast to virtual attendees + recorded)
- 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT – Friday Night at the Movies Mixer (in-person only)
Saturday, October 25, 2025:
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM EDT – CWA Annual Meeting (CWA members only)
9:00 AM EDT – Opening remarks (cast to virtual attendees + recorded)
*Saturday events will be aired live. (Please see your email for the link).
9:30 AM to 5:35 PM EDT – Virtual workshops (cast to virtual attendees + recorded)
11:00 AM to 4:30 PM EDT – Cat show book signing (to take place at the Annual Indy Cat Club Cat Show, Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds)
Other excursions in Indy? (in-person only)
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT – CWA Pre-Banquet Reception
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT – CWA Awards Banquet (in-person only)
8:00 PM to 9:30 PM EDT – CWA Awards Ceremony (in-person, with ceremony streamed live and recorded). To watch the Awards Ceremony live, go to our Awards Ceremony Page.
Special Events and Festivities
Our fun started Thursday evening with a light dinner and “Gift Bag-Stuffing Mixer”, included in your conference ticket price. We met up with old friends and got to know new cat-loving creators at this informal event.
Our Keynote Address during Friday’s included lunch was delivered by integrative veterinarian Dr. Randy Aronson, host of the Paws, Reflect & Heal podcast. The keynote was sponsored by Feline Natural. Afterward, an additional session to ask Dr. Aronson questions was sponsored by Lively Tails.
After the Friday workshops, we kept the celebration going with our “Friday Night at the Movies Mixer,” that included dinner, movie snacks, soft drinks/beer/wine, and a special screening of the official Cat Video Fest, curated for us by Cat Video Fest co-founder and CWA member, Will Braden.
On Saturday, we enjoyed free admission to the Annual Indy Cat Club Cat Show at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, where several CWA-member authors signed their books. A light lunch was provided.
Our Saturday evening formal reception and CWA Awards Banquet Gala was emceed by master of ceremonies, UK’s Clayton Payne. The Awards Banquet included the reception, sit-down dinner, and open bar. Clayton’s appearance is sponsored by Karnlea and the Pet Business Disruptors Podcast.
