BarkWorld and CWA Conference Photo Collages
If you’ve never been to a cat writer or pet blogger conference, these photo collages will give a sense of what goes on. This year the Cat Writers’ Association partnered with BarkWorld in Atlanta last week. 
It was a chance to meet new and old friends, attend sessions about writing, social and other media, meet with editors, peruse new pet products and chat with the brand reps.
Yes, there were dogs,
a few kittens Jeanne brought and one cat named Waffles who is on the can of Mike’s Hard Lemonade. It was especially wonderful to see Deb Barnes, my fellow CWA council member who joined the same year as me. Caren from Cat Chat hankered for a good steak and found time to catch up. The worst thing about this kind of event is simply not having time to speak to all my blogger friends enough. Guys, we need a week!
As a member of the CWA, I attended the annual meeting where the interim president Dusty Rainbolt handed the reins over to new president Marci Kladnik and I’ve been elected to the CWA council.
Every conference is different and this one was a roller coaster of highs and lows. There were profound insights, deep connections, non-stop serendipity, Shakespearean drama, a comedy of errors and plenty of laughter.
I presented a session on photo editing with nail-biting tech issues. Two minutes before show time the tech team finally resolved it severely testing my go with the flow attitude. Apparently my humor remained intact.
Earlier in the day I facilitated a breakfast gathering to remember my friend and the late CWA president Lorie Huston. After the group dispersed I enjoyed for a long, private chat with Lorie’s brother Tim who’d journeyed from Nebraska and is as sweet as Lorie was. It was bittersweet that evening when Tim accepted two awards Lorie had won.
To keep a scratchy throat and flu symptoms at bay, I snuck off twice to the blissful quiet of the spa for a sauna which saved me.
Cat writers know how to have fun. I received my first tiara. Don’t ask. The rooster in the hen house is Chris Ruben, CEO of Adopt-A-Shelter.
A few of the many mood and faces.
The highlight of the conference is the gala awards evening. I didn’t win an awards this year but happy that some of my friends did like Janiss Garza and many others. Four years ago I was a newbie member who won a Muse Medallion my first year and every year since. This year I shared the joy of a friend I’d sponsored and mentored win three awards. Yay, Alana!
Last Sunday morning while checking out of the hotel, I bumped into mystery writer Clea Simon ( who had won a Muse) and her hubby. We ended up travelling together to the airport. I nominate them as my favorite couple to go through airport security with or bar hopping.
I’ll be adding more photos to the CWA Facebook page and our Cat Wisdom 101 Facebook page so if you see yourself or someone you know, please tag them.
46 Comments
Marty the Manx
Looks like a blast! Sad for you all with Lorie gone, but glad you all enjoyed it 🙂
Sweet Purrfections
I didn’t get to attend the conference, but was able to drive down to meet everyone on Friday. It was so nice to meet you and I hope to get more time to sit down and chat at BlogPaws in Nashville.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Paula, I so wanted to chat more. Hope to see you at Blogpaws!
Deztinee High
Pawsum posty. ConCats to yous and all da pawsum peeps. Looks like lots of fun. Maybe sumday weez can go. Weez wuld luv to attend BlogPaws and Bark/Meowworld, and all da udder cool events. Gweat fotos.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Purrlease join us tomowwo fur Blest Sunday by postin’ yous blessings.
Nerissa's Life
Looks like you had lots & LOTS of fun! YAY!!!
Ummm… You received a tiara? Does that mean you’re like… ROYALTY? Can I say that I know a princess? Or perhaps even a queen?
Purrs,
Nissy
Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal
Thank you for the photo collage!
My mom-person say´s it´s to bad there is a BIG pond between Seden and U.S.A 🙂
XOXO
Carolyn
I am glad you survived and enjoyed what was bound to have been a poignant time with some conflicting emotions. x
Layla Morgan Wilde
Caro, you clever one for reading between the lines.
Crepes
Thank you for the photo collage! You did a beautiful job with the photos! Love it. 🙂 It was so good to see you! – Alana.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Glad you liked them. I’ll send the others. Good to see you!
Sometimes Cats Herd You
Great photos! I love how two people can attend an event but experience such different parts of it, and it’s wonderful glimpsing some of the events I was unable to attend. Thanks for sharing, Layla.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks, it’s so true how we all had a very different experience. It was great to see you.
Bernadette
Gorgeous photos, Layla! Sorry I missed everyone. One of these days I’ll get to meet you!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks so much B. Maybe next time?
The Swiss Cats
It looks like you had great time at the Conference ! Thank you for sharing some moments with us ! Purrs
Darlene Arden, C.A.B.C.
Thanks for the wrap-up, Layla. You made it look good. As a Founding Member of CWA I miss the good old days, the spirit and camaraderie and rooms that were crowded and welcoming. A good bit of this looks disappointingly sparse. You’re a great photographer!!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Darlene, thanks for your kind words. I think I miss the good old days too.
Summer
My human had a great time at the conference, in spite of all the glitches! And she was SO thrilled to be onstage with Alana for the Muse they jointly won. Alana is so very talented, and such an awesome person as well.
Layla Morgan Wilde
It was great seeing you again and I may have some other nice pics of you!
Random Felines
Thanks for the shout out about the kitts. They go up for adoption tomorrow – we will keep you posted. Mom had a great time and said it was nice to meet you.
jansfunnyfarm
Looks like it was a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing the photos.
Tamago
Great photos. Looks like you had lots of fun!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks, I ran out of time and had to leave some favorites out.
Angel AbbyGrace
Wow your photos do make me feel like I was there too!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thank-you, that was my intention. I hope to see you next year.
da tabbies o trout towne
doodz…..looks like yur mom hada grate time…itz nice her wuz abe bull ta catch up with her friendz…. N thanx for incloodin de bullie fotoz !! 🙂
heerz two a happee halibut & herring week oh end ♥
Layla Morgan Wilde
You know me and bulldogs 🙂
Kathryn
Thank you for bringing me there. Y’all look so happy (and tired) and ATL begins to look like the NYC skyline. And the temps are better than in the N.E. Daughter is in Decatur, but hangs out in Buckhead and at SCAD, near the museum.
Kathryn
And yes, woofs for the great presentation!!!!! Relax when you get home. You’ll certainly need it!!
Layla Morgan Wilde
We did not get much sleep 😉 SCAD is near Buckhead? Glad she’s enjoying.
Golden Woofs: Sugar
Looks like a great event. Heard you did a PAWsome presentation. Golden Woofs
Layla Morgan Wilde
I so missed you!
Melissa & Truffles
I just love this recap and all of the wonderful photos! The cat community is just the BEST!!!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Cat peeps rock for sure!
Caren Gittleman
Oh WOW!! SIMPLY THE BEST, BEST, BEST, conference recap EVAH!!!!!!! I greatly enjoyed my time with you, wish it had been longer!! xoxo
Layla Morgan Wilde
I had the best time with you!
The Island Cats
Great conference wrap up, Layla! I’m sorry we didn’t get to talk more. And I’m wondering how I missed out on the sauna!
Island Cat Mom
Layla Morgan Wilde
Never enough time plus I tend to bounce between groups or cliques. No one ever thinks to do the spa but it’s a great place to recharge.
Skeeter and Izzy
We are so happy to get to share the fun thru your pics! It looks like a wonderful event.
thank you,
Luvs
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig & Peanut & Romeo >^..^<
Layla Morgan Wilde
Glad you stopped by!
Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey
Still exhausted from the trip but it was wonderful getting to see you and other fellow friends at the conference. I think the loss of Lorie had me off center the whole time and I am still trying to get back on track… Wonderful pictures – thank you for sharing and looking forward to being on the council with you!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Yes, it was exhausting and discombobulating in many ways. I’ll be in touch soon.
Susan and the gang from Life with Dogs and Cats
Great pix Layla! You captured the spirit of the event. I love the photo with all of us in a row wearing our tiaras!
Purrs (and wags) from Life with Dogs and Cats.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks Susan.
Sammy
Looks like tons of fun Layla…..so many smiles – you all just must have enjoyed yourselves and each other’s company so much!!
Pam
Layla Morgan Wilde
Lots smile but tears too. A mixed bag of emotions with Lorie gone.