Cat lovers, artists, and advocates in Florida are in for a deal with this January with the launch of House Cats Florida, a brand new conference designed to have fun every part feline. Based by Leeza Hernandez, a lifelong cat fanatic, artist, and entrepreneur, the occasion guarantees to unite creativity and compassion in help of cats in want.
House Cats Florida is happening on January twenty fifth and twenty sixth 2025 on the House Coast Conference Heart in Cocoa, Florida.
Catster is worked up to announce this occasion and share extra details about the way it bought began and what guests can anticipate. We spoke with Leeza to get the within scoop.
From Sketching Cats to Conference CEO: Leeza’s Journey
Leeza’s profession has all the time been deeply intertwined with artwork and her love for cats. From her early days as a graphic designer and illustrator to authoring and illustrating the youngsters’s guide Catnapped! in 2013, she has regularly discovered methods to merge her creative abilities along with her ardour for felines.
In 2017, Leeza’s journey took a brand new flip when she attended the Catsbury Park Cat Conference in New Jersey. Initially planning to go to as a fan, she determined to showcase her work as a substitute, combining guide signings with artwork prints impressed by her cat sketches. “My sales space was a success, and I shortly realized I may flip my love of cats and artwork right into a flourishing artistic enterprise.” Leeza quickly started touring to cat conventions nationwide, a few of which included CatCon Worldwide, Meow MeetUp, SeaMeow, and Catsbury Park, connecting with the colourful group of cat lovers.
Nonetheless, when the pandemic paused in-person occasions, Leeza discovered herself lacking the group and power of those gatherings. After relocating to Florida and studying that no East Coast conventions had been returning, she determined to take issues into her personal fingers. With encouragement from fellow distributors and her husband, Leeza launched into a mission to create House Cats Florida.
“I by no means imagined internet hosting my very own conference, however when no East Coast cat occasions returned after the pandemic, I noticed it was time to step up and create one thing for the group I really like,” Leeza shared.
The Coronary heart of House Cats Florida
House Cats Florida, happening on January twenty fifth and twenty sixth on the House Coast Conference Heart in Cocoa, FL, is greater than only a celebration of cats—it’s a motion to make a tangible affect. Partnering with the Brevard Humane Society, the occasion goals to help their efforts to find endlessly houses for cats and elevating consciousness about animal welfare.
“House Cats Florida isn’t nearly celebrating our love of cats—it’s about uniting as a group to make an actual distinction for the cats who want us most,” Leeza defined. “[It’s] a celebration of every part I really like about cats and group with a deep need to attach cat lovers, specialists, and past on this state. As an artist who has all the time donated a portion of my artwork gross sales to assist cats in want, this occasion felt like a pure extension of that mission.”
The conference will function distinctive distributors, interactive Cativity stations, and academic shows from cat specialists. Particular visitors embody social media star Nathan The Cat Girl on Saturday and a meet-and-greet with a Maine Coon named PEAK on Sunday. With a mix of enjoyable and advocacy, the occasion is about to be a spotlight for cat fans throughout the area.
Organizing a conference is not any small feat, however Leeza has acquired immense help from her household, pals, and volunteers, in addition to the audio system and distributors who share her imaginative and prescient. Whereas the inaugural 12 months’s staff is small, their dedication and keenness are the driving forces behind the occasion’s creation.
“We may be small in our inaugural 12 months, however we will likely be mighty!” Leeza shared.
Occasion Particulars
The weekend of feline enjoyable guarantees an thrilling expertise for cat lovers, breeders, and professionals, that includes a dynamic lineup of audio system and actions:
- SurferCat Mavi: Star of Cat Individuals on Netflix and featured on The At this time Present and Individuals Journal, Mavi the Bengal cat is an excessive athlete—browsing, snowboarding, and extra. He’s presently filming a journey present in Italy.
- Kate Benjamin: Founding father of Hauspanther and co-author of Catification, she’ll share her experience in fashionable and purposeful cat design.
- Sterling ‘TrapKing’ Davis: A former rapper and TNR advocate, Davis promotes range in animal welfare and contributes to controlling feral cat populations.
- Ellen Carozza: Often called the “Cat LVT,” Carozza will provide useful tips about feline well being and care, selling adoption by the Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Basis.
- Nathan Kehn (Nathan The Cat Girl): A passionate cat welfare advocate, Nathan has labored throughout the nation with shelters and rescues to enhance the lives of cats.
Actions embody:
- Lunar Lounge: Cats for adoption from the Brevard Humane Society.
- DIY Cat Toy & Friendship Bracelet Station: Enjoyable for households and cat lovers.
- Intergalactic Photograph Backdrop: Excellent for social media images.
- Movie star Cat Meet ‘n’ Greets: Photograph ops with famous cats.
- Artwork Wall: A coloring station for youths.
- Fundraising Actions: Assist native cat charities.
- Cat Product Giveaways/Distributors: Browse the “House Cat Stroll” for merchandise and win prizes.
A particular thanks is given to sponsors like Zymox and CatLady Field for supporting this occasion!
Trying Forward
Leeza’s final aim is to determine House Cats Florida as an annual occasion that continues to develop the cat group, educate attendees, and lift consciousness. “This conference is a celebration of everything we love about cats—group, creativity, and compassion—all coming collectively for a purr-pose,” she mentioned.
With plans to develop and evolve, House Cats Florida goals to turn into a trusted occasion for cat fans within the Southeast—a must-attend conference that blends enjoyable, training, and advocacy.
For extra info and updates, go to spacecatsflorida.com.
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