By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, CWA Council Member
“Live in 2025,” the 31st Annual CWA Communications Conference, was a smashing success, thanks to CWA President Lynn Thompson, the Conference Committee, our sponsors, and fabulous CWA members as speakers and attendees. You made this year’s conference a great time for all!
The conference was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, and included an opportunity to attend (and sell members’ books) at a local cat show.
The theme emphasized the special aspect of the event — that it was held in person. There was a virtual component so colleagues could participate from all around, and even outside, the country, but those who made the trip enjoyed a special and rewarding connection.
Attendees Ruth Thaler-Carter, Ramona Marek, Dusty Rainbolt, Robbi Hess, and Jody Wallace enjoying breakfast before the conference.
The in-person interaction among colleagues — speakers, members, and sponsor representatives — was a genuine highlight of the event. While virtual meetings might be more convenient, less expensive, and more inclusive than in-person events, there’s just something about getting together in person that can’t be beat. Being able to chat, ask questions, share insights, make serendipitous connections over the couple days of the event, rather than only connecting on the more limited level while online, is a whole different experience.
Conference attendees had the opportunity to meet our sponsors and learn about new cat products.
Meeting in person had the added advantage of access to a nearby local cat show, which was especially valuable for author attendees, who were able to sign and sell our books. Thank you to Kathy Finley for arranging that activity. We also had a chance to tell members of the public about the CWA.
I wasn’t the only one who found the in-person aspect rewarding. Another attendee said: “The CWA Conference delivered an outstanding experience — from inspiring speakers and panels to exceptional networking opportunities. Every detail was professionally executed, and the mixers and awards banquet were highlights. Being surrounded by people who share my passion for cats made it both professionally rewarding and personally unforgettable. I will look forward to this event every year and can’t imagine missing it.”
CWA authors Ruth Thaler-Carter, KJ McGlynn, Lynn Thompson, Laurren Darr, Sucheta Rawal, Dusty Rainbolt, and Katherine Finley at the CWA Book Signing Event.
Other comments about that in-person experience include “It’s a great opportunity to network, meet new colleagues, renew old friendships, and feel reinvigorated about writing,” “Meeting other CWA members and hearing about their backgrounds and skills was the highlight of the conference for me,” and my favorite: “I love cats and cat people and will do almost anything to be with them.”
The fun started Thursday evening with a light dinner and “Gift Bag-Stuffing Mixer,” included in the conference ticket price. We met up with old friends and got to know new cat-loving creators at this informal event.
Lunch on Friday featured a Keynote Address by integrative veterinarian Dr. Randy Aronson, host of the Paws, Reflect & Heal podcast. Feline Natural Lively Tails sponsored an additional session immediately afterward to ask him questions — a lively opportunity to learn more about his innovative approach to cat care.
2025 President Lynn Thompson presenting at the CWA conference.
Session topics included ethics, fact-checking, public speaking, freelancing opportunities, going visual, and more — lots of great information packed into a short time. Sponsors provided a great assortment of giveaways — true goodie bags! — cat toys and treats, literature, and much more. The awards banquet provided an opportunity to applaud (literally) the achievements of colleagues.
Attendees Mewla Young, Dusty Rainbolt, Jen Redder, Laurren Darr, Ramona Marek, and KJ McGlynn live it up at the Awards Banquet.
More information about the 2025 conference presentations, social events, and schedule can be found at The CWA Annual Conference. The event provided an excellent foundation for a bigger and even better 2026 conference.
NOTE:
The CWA is now seeking sponsors to support our 2026 CWA Conference. Find out about opportunities to be a part of it at Sponsor the CWA.
Oh, I only wish I could visit in person!!! I love entering the CWA Communications Contest and value the many colleagues across all the cat-themed creative disciplines I have met here since I joined. I absolutely love the virtual conference. The CWA is in the forefront of virtual events but I love reading reports from those who attended in person.
FANCY!!!!! WOOOOOhaaaaa!!!!
I was there and it was wonderful! Ruth has really caught the feeling of comraderie and learning in this post. My personal highpoints, beyond what Ruth said: Spending time with a dear friend who lives far away. Comparing cat-themed clothing and accessories. Learning things I didn’t know I was interested in. Talking cat with anyone and everyone. Feeling totally safe among folks I’d never met. And more!
I attended the first dozen CWA conferences (starting in 1993, I think) and several others thereafter. I am the least social animal on the planet. I generally loathe being around my conspecifics, especially in crowds. However, I always loved the CWA gatherings. I cannot begin to articulate how much I got out of each and every one — including my first book deal (and lots of other work). It was something I looked forward to, eagerly, every year.
When things went virtual, everything went downhill. I was afraid you would never recover the old CWA conference magic. But it appears you did. Thank Bast!
Although I wrote software professionally for many years, I am not a creature of the digital realm. I am still waiting for anti-social media so I can refuse to join. It is just not my world. I live outdoors, in the dirt in my gardens, or in here surrounded by (about) 15K books and my (7) cats during “indoor-kitty” weather. Not online, ever. (Unless one counts a kindle as “online.” The kindle is the greatest invention of the century.) So when the writing world went to blogging and vlogging and such, and of course “building your own personal brand” (Yuck!) I backed away (the proper term is, I guess, “retired.”)
I was CWA Secretary for many years, and Contest Chair for several years. I was sort of the “odd jobs” person for CWA, and I always enjoyed it immensely. But somehow, when the in-person gatherings ended, the magic vanished. It made me very sad. To me, that meant CWA was essentially over.
So, in the end, all this random verbiage is meant to express how very happy I am that you have resumed the in-person gatherings. and even expanded the concept to regional gatherings. It is rather too late for me (but not that I totally reject the notion of just showing up some time, just for the heck of it).
If you can possibly get to a CWA conference, DO SO! You have no idea how much it will change you and your writing/communicating life.
Purrrrrs… wac