Why Should You Attend the 2018 Cat Writers’ Association Conference?

Have you made plans to attend this year’s Cat Writers’ Association Conference and Awards Banquet? Yes? Terrific—we’re sure you’ll learn a lot and have a great time! No? Well, what’s stopping you? Below, we list seven reasons you might have for not going to the conference, and then we give you even better reasons to go.

1. I’ve never even heard of this Cat Writers’ Association.

Let us introduce you! The CWA promotes professionalism among those who write about cats, photograph cats, create art about cats … it basically has a lot to do with cats. Members are journalists, novelists, bloggers, broadcasters, artists, photographers, editors, and more. The organization has been around since 1992, providing a community of cat-centric creative professionals who support and learn from one another. Sounds great, right?

2. I’m not a CWA member, and I’m not sure I want to join.

Doesn’t matter. The conference and banquet are open to members and non-members alike. And if you’re on the fence about joining CWA, the conference is the perfect place to find out if it’s for you!

3. I don’t write about cats.

Doesn’t matter. While the conference will include plenty of cat-centric content, many sessions will cover topics such as research, marketing, and storytelling—things all writers need to know. Heck, even dog writers need to know how to do effective research and tell a good story, right?

CWA Conference speakers will include (from top right) Arden Moore, Janiss Garza,
Lynn Thompson, Amy Shojai, and Molly Hunt.

4. I refuse to wear cutesy cat ears.

No cat ears, no problem. Some attendees have fun wearing cat ears some of the time, but no one’s going to toss you out the door for not having cat ears of your own. Probably.

5. I don’t know when or where the conference is.

The CWA Conference is June 7–9 at the Hyatt Regency North Houston in Houston, Texas. Now you know.

6. I don’t want to go all the way to Houston just for a conference.

First of all, we dispute the phrase “just for a conference,” because it implies that the gathering is not a big deal, and we think it is a big deal. Most people reading this blog would get something out of attending. And … you wouldn’t be going just for a conference! Don’t forget the annual awards banquet, where you can see which of your favorite authors win coveted Muse Medallions for their work. And … the event is co-located with the Gulf Shore Regional Cat Show, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see beautiful cats. And … Houston’s first cat café, the El Gato Coffeehouse, is just 12 miles from the host hotel—more opportunities to visit with great cats!

7. I don’t want to spend a lot of money.

The CWA Conference is reasonably priced—we would even call it a bargain—especially if you register in time to catch the early bird rate. The hotel is reasonably priced as well, so you don’t have to break the bank to have a place to sleep. And just in case a great price on a conference ticket isn’t enough to catch your attention, you’ve got a chance to win one free conference registration: Click here to enter!

What other reasons could you possibly have for not going? We hope you make it to the conference this year!