Despite 2020 being a crazy year with the CWA canceling their 26th Annual Conference and Awards Banquet due to COVID-19, the decision was made by the organization to hold a virtual awards ceremony – From Glammies to Jammies – on Saturday, August 8, 2020, as well as a virtual fundraising event for Tabby’s Place Cat Sanctuary of Ringoes, NJ.
While virtual communications are something new to the CWA wheelhouse, by all accounts, despite a few technological glitches along the way, the event was a great success with them handing out over 65 MUSE Medallions and 20 special awards totaling over $13,500 in cash prizes.
Guest presenters at the event included CWA President, Deb Barnes; V.P., Paula Gregg of Sweet Purrfections; writer and editor, Ruth E. Thaler-Carter; Carol Bryant of Fidose of Reality; Sterling Davis, TrapKing; Shelley DelRocco of Pet Tree Houses; freelance writer, Ramona Marek; performer and blogger, Alana Grelyak; Dr. Lynn Bahr of Dezi & Roo; Janiss Garza of Summer/Sparkle Cat; Peter J. Wolf of Best Friends Animal Society; pet-sitting consultant, Erin Fenstermaker; author and editor, Lynn Maria Thompson; and Dawn White of Lola the Rescued Cat.
There was also Felissa Elfenbein of Pets With Opinions; Chloe DiVita of Perceptive Presence; Dr. Robin Downing; Dr. Jennifer Schori; Samantha Martin of the Amazing Acro-Cats; Stacy LeBaron of Community Cats Podcast; Joette White of Park Cities Pet Sitter; Dr. Elizabeth Colleran of the AAFP; Dr. Jane Brunt of the CATalyst Council; author, speaker, and radio host, Arden Moore; Dr. Bruce Kornreich of Cornell Feline Health Center; America’s Veterinarian and founder of Fear Free Pets, Dr. Marty Becker; Christopher Knight (yes, Peter from the Brady Bunch!); Annie Butler Shirreffs of Catster; Beth Stultz-Hairston of Pet Sitters International; previous CWA President, Fran Pennock Shaw; Shannon Supanich of Pioneer Pets; Sharon Melnyk, CWA Social Media Chair; author and performer, Amy Shojai; Kate Benjamin of Hauspanther; and Darrell Newkirk, president of the CFA.
Ingrid King of The Conscious Cat was named winner of the prestigious Shojai Mentor Award; Lea-Ann Germinder of Germinder and Associates and goodnewsforpets.com the Michael Brim Distinguished Service Award winner; and Beverly Garland of I Love to Draw Cats.com the winner of the CWA President’s Award, representing the best of the best of all MUSE Medallion winners.
The Tabby’s Place fundraiser was also a resounding success, with the CWA raising an amazing $14,310 in combined monies and product donations for the cause.
To watch any of the virtual events or read our events program guide, please use the following links:
CWA Virtual Awards Ceremony Link (Facebook Live)
CWA Virtual Awards Ceremony Zoom Link Use Password: ps8r66P=
CWA Virtual Awards Ceremony Program Guide pdf Link
CWA Communications Contest Winners Link
Tabby’s Place Fundraiser – check presentation and raffle drawing video Link (Facebook Live)
Lastly, sincere gratitude to all the 2020 CWA sponsors who helped make our awards ceremony and organizational functions possible: Alley Cat Rescue, American Association of Feline Practitioners, Cat Fanciers’ Association, CATalyst Council, CatLadyBox, Catster/Belvoir Media Group, Clawguard, Cornell Feline Health Center, Door Buddy, Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Products, Fear Free Pets, Fran Pennock Shaw & Ray Shaw, Germinder + Associates, Goodnewsforpets Digital, Goodnewsforpets.com, Hartz, International Veterinary Sciences, Iris Scott Fine Art, MeatMe, MyLap Pet Bed, Nature’s Logic, Pet Sitters International, Pet Tree Houses, Petco Foundation, PetSafe, Pioneer Pet Products, PureLUXE Pet Food, Sleepypod, The International Cat Association, Vital Essentials, World’s Best Cat Litter, and Zen Clippers.
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