Conference Sessions are Available Virtually Through November 24, 2025
The “Live in 2025” CWA 31st Annual Communications Conference was a great success! Thank you to CWA President Lynn Thompson and the Conference Committee for your hard work. You made this year’s conference a great time for all!
To view conference workshops virtually: A link to view the events was sent to all conference attendees on October 25. Look for an email from “Accelevents” with the subject line, “Welcome to 2025 CWA Conference“. Click the “Join the Event” button to enter the site, then login with your credentials. Events will be available for viewing through November 24, 2025.
Presenters and Topics
The CWA Communications Conference was a smashing success, with esteemed experts from extant fields presenting 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 starts Thursday evening with a light dinner and “Gift Bag-Stuffing Mixer”, included in your conference ticket price. Meet up with old friends and get to know new cat-loving creators at this informal event, featuring soft drinks, beer or wine for those over 21, and a meal.
Our Keynote Address during Friday’s included lunch will be delivered by integrative veterinarian Dr. Randy Aronson, host of the Paws, Reflect & Heal podcast. The keynote is sponsored by Feline Natural. Afterward, you’ll have a full additional session to ask Dr. Aronson anything you like, sponsored by Lively Tails.
After the Friday workshops, we’ll keep the celebration going during our “Friday Night at the Movies Mixer”. Your conference ticket price includes 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’ll have free admission to the Annual Indy Cat Club Cat Show at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, where several CWA-member authors will be selling/signing their books. A light lunch will be provided.
Don’t let the festivities end there! Purchase an Awards Banquet ticket for our Saturday evening formal reception and CWA Awards Banquet Gala, emceed by our master of ceremonies, UK’s Clayton Payne. The Awards Banquet includes the reception, sit-down dinner, and open bar. Clayton’s appearance is sponsored by Karnlea and the Pet Business Disruptors Podcast.
Conference FAQs
When will the 2025 CWA Conference take place?
The CWA Conference will take place on Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25.
When will the CWA Awards Ceremony/Banquet take place?
The awards ceremony/banquet will take place at 8pm on Saturday, October 25.
Where will the Conference and Awards Ceremony/Banquet take place?
Wyndham Hotel, Indianapolis Airport
2544 Executive Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana
How long with the streamed workshops be available?
The workshop will be available online via Accelevents for thirty days.
How do I acces the streamed workshops?
Look for an email from Accelevents sent to all attendees on October 25.
What is the recommended attire?
Most conference attendees wear business cat casual to Sunday dress. For the awards banquet, anything goes but full gala fun (evening gowns and tuxes) and cat bling are encouraged.
How do I watch the 2025 CWA Awards Ceremony?
The Awards Ceremony is available online here.
May I bring my cat to the conference?
Yes. Up to two cats are welcome in designated areas for a $50 fee.
Where do I find information about the conference hotel?
Hotel information appears on the Conference Hotel Information page.
When and where will the Author Book Signings take place?
CWA authors are invited to participate in our book signing booth, which will take place during the 53rd Annual Indy Cat Club Cat Show at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
What payment options are there?
You may pay by credit card, Apple Pay, or Link.
What is the price of tickets to the CWA Conference and/or Awards Ceremony/Banquet?
Ticket prices are listed below.
What if I have to cancel?
If you book a spot for the in-person conference and later find that you are unable to attend, you may convert your in-person ticket to a virtual ticket if you notify us prior to September 30, 2025, and be refunded the difference between the two. Cancellations after September 30 are not refundable. Tickets for the virtual conference are not refundable. You do not need to watch the virtual sessions on the dates of the conference itself, but have 30 days afterward to view both the virtual and the in-person sessions that will be on the Accelevents site.
May children and teens attend?
Cat writers under 18 may purchase tickets but must be accompanied by a paying adult chaperone. All attendees are expected to behave in a professional manner that is mindful of others. Parents or guardians of under-age attendees may request a copy of the CWA’s Youth Protection Policy here.
What happens at the Saturday night CWA Awards Banquet?
The Awards Banquet gala consists of a formal reception and seated gourmet meal, followed by the CWA Awards Ceremony. The presentation of Muse Medallions and Special Awards will be emceed by our master of ceremonies, UK’s Clayton Payne. Attire is formal, and the ticket price includes the reception, sit-down dinner, and drinks.
What meals are provided during the conference?
The in-person conference ticket price includes two lunches and dinners. Thursday evening, a light dinner and soft drinks (or beer/wine for those 21 and over) will be provided during the gift bag-stuffing mixer. Friday, lunch is included and served during Dr. Aronson’s keynote address. On Friday evening, dinner and soft drinks are offered at the mixer, plus beer/wine for those 21 and over. A light lunch is provided on Saturday. Additionally, for those staying at the hotel, a voucher for free breakfast is included for each day attendees have reserved a room.
CWA Conference Ticket Prices
Conference Only, Attending In-person *includes meals
CWA Member $155
Non-member $195
Combination In-Person Conference and Awards Banquet/Ceremony
CWA Member $220
Non-member $270
Conference, Virtual, and Virtual Awards Ceremony
CWA Member $65
Non-member $75
Conference, Virtual, and In-Person Awards Banquet/Ceremony
CWA Member $125
Non-member $150
In-Person Awards Banquet/Ceremony Only
CWA Member $70
Non-member $75
