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Digital Mews
June 2, 2016
This is a special message from your CWA Conference & Events Chair, Amy Shojai.
CWA CONFERENCE UPDATES & REMINDERS!
SAVE THIS MESSAGE!
Are you ready for the conference? Mee-WOW, what a line up. The terrific folks at BlogPaws have a constantly updated FAQ for attendees. Bookmark this link:
http://tinyurl.com/jl5tbug
I've pulled out a few to highlight, below. No excuses--your answers are here, or you can email me questions. I simply cannot reach out individually to everyone with special invites/details so please forgive me for needing to sleep once in a while, LOL!
HOTEL: The special hotel conference discount rate goes away soon, deadline June 3rd (tomorrow!) so reserve your room now. Our hotel room block at Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass includes things like Internet and the resort fee. Check out the FAQ for a full list -- and book soon, because it will sell out: http://blogp.ws/23hSnoi
REGISTRATION: BlogPaws handles this--you must register through their site, and they WILL sell out! So get your ticket asap at this link: http://blogpaws.com/events/2016-conference/2016-conference-registration/ Oh, and if you bought a ticket but can't go, you are allowed to sell it to someone else--contact BlogPaws about that, too.
FREE BANQUET: There are still free CWA Banquet Tickets available, but you MUST reserve your seat, deadline June 10. Fill out the WuFoo form at this link: http://catwriters.com/wp_meow/cwa-registration/
You won't want to miss getting your copy of the commemorative program being designed by Wendy Christensen. And while you don't HAVE to, the Banquet is a great time to dress up and break out the bling!
Contest Note: This year, there are some SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS who are not yet on my banquet attendance list. Just because you didn't get a Certificate does NOT mean you're out of the running for the specials...(hint-hint).
SWAG BAGS! We are very pleased to announce that corporate sponsor World's Best Cat Litter will provide us with the gift bags for those attending the banquet, which will be filled with information, products and coupons for great kitty stuff from our existing sponsor and new donors. You can contact Susan Willett (susan@lifewithdogsandcats.com) for more info about the swag opportunities.
CWA Booth: The BlogPaws booth space has sold out! but no worries, CWA will again have a presence in the Exhibit Hall so stop by -- and contact Prez Marcy (mkauthor@verizon.net)
if you'd like to get on the schedule & promote CWA by answering questions, sharing your experiences, and (if you're an author!) signing/selling your books.
Exhibitor Note: I've already received a couple emails from BlogPaws exhibitors with invites to visit their booth and learn more about their services/products--and if you're registered or have attended BlogPaws in the past, you may get similar messages. USE THE OPPORTUNITY! Not only is this a great way for you personally to connect with pet products companies, they may be a potential future CWA sponsor! Invite them to the (free-free-free!) awards banquet to sit with you at dinner and talk about opportunities.
PETS: Bringing your kitty? There's a new attending-pet procedure this year, including a hotel form to sign, handouts with great FAQ info and more for pet parents. A couple of Association of Pet Dog Trainers members will be on hand to help out with attending pets because...well...in the past some dogs have become overwhelmed or made other pets or their people a wee bit nervous. Attending cats, of course, have never caused any issue--hence, the canine specific APDT assistance. *s* This new policy will help ensure ALL attending pets and people have a safe, enjoyable time.
CWA BREAKFAST MEETING. Saturday Morning, a room will be set aside for CWA to conduct our annual election, discuss business, recap the past year of the Association, and answer questions. ALL members are encouraged to attend--and nonmembers are welcome, of course, to come learn more about CWA.
SIGN UP FOR SCHED: The conference is paperless--but the online schedule keeps everyone up to date on what's happening, when. Create an account on sched.org so you can access our online agenda and connect with other attendees and speakers: http://blogpaws2016.sched.org/ (note: sign up for the CWA banquet on Sched does not get you a ticket--you still must reserve your place with the Wufoo form previously noted)
TRAVEL FROM AIRPORT: CWA Council member (and BlogPaws Ambassador) Deb Barnes has some great news for FREE travel to/from the airport; read about it here.
NEW TO BLOGPAWS? Here's a great resource for first time attendees.
LOTS of great content is being offered this year from both CWA and BlogPaws, with countless paws working their fur off to bring you a great time. Here's a quick recap of the CWA branded events:
Thursday Speakers:
- SMASHWORDS founder, Mark Coker, speaks about best selling indie authors secrets to success
- HOMER, the BLIND CAT author Gwen Cooper, offers tips for getting your cat book memoir attention from New York publishers
- GoodNewsForPets,com publisher and CWA member Lea-Ann Germinder shares PR & marketing must knows for bloggers, writers & authors.
- ONE-ON-ONE book pitch sessions (sign ups open June 8): Lonnie Hull DuPont from Revell Publishing
Friday Panels & Events:
- Fear Free Hot Topics for Pet-Centric Writers: Dr. Marty Becker, Dr. Elizabeth Colleran (AAFP), and Denise Fleck
- FROM BLOGGER TO AUTHOR: Getting Paid for Your Words, from Freelance Writer to Book Author: Susan Willett, Lisa Begin-Kruysman, Lonnie Hull DuPont, Patricia Fry, Lynn Thompson
- Awards Banquet
Saturday Events
- Breakfast Meeting
- Speaker Book Signing
- One-On-Ones/Pitch Sessions (sign up starting June 8): Janiss Garza, Ellen Price, others
If you have ANY questions, please feel free to email me at amy@shojai.com with subject line Conference Question and I'll do my best to get you an answer.
See you in Phoenix!
amy
CWA Conference Chair
Amy Shojai, CABC
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