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 all the pieces feline. Based by Leeza Hernandez, a lifelong cat fanatic, artist, and entrepreneur, the occasion guarantees to unite creativity and compassion in assist 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 obtained 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 kids’s e-book Catnapped! in 2013, she has regularly discovered methods to merge her inventive abilities together 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 an alternative, combining e-book signings with artwork prints impressed by her cat sketches. “My sales space was a success, and I rapidly realized I might flip my love of cats and artwork right into a flourishing inventive 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.
Nevertheless, when the pandemic paused in-person occasions, Leeza discovered herself lacking the group and vitality 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 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 impression. Partnering with the Brevard Humane Society, the occasion goals to assist 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 all the pieces I like about cats and group with a deep want 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 displays from cat specialists. Particular friends 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 ready to be a spotlight for cat fans throughout the area.
Organizing a conference isn’t any small feat, however Leeza has acquired immense assist from her household, buddies, and volunteers, in addition to the audio system and distributors who share her imaginative and prescient. Whereas the inaugural yr’s group is small, their dedication and keenness are the driving forces behind the occasion’s creation.
“We could be small in our inaugural yr, however we might 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 the moment Present and Individuals Journal, Mavi the Bengal cat is an excessive athlete—browsing, snowboarding, and extra. He’s at present 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 variety in animal welfare and contributes to controlling feral cat populations.
- Ellen Carozza: Often known as the “Cat LVT,” Carozza will provide beneficial tips about feline well being and care, selling adoption by means of 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: Good for social media photographs.
- Superstar Cat Meet ‘n’ Greets: Photograph ops with well-known 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!
Wanting Forward
Leeza’s final objective 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 all the pieces 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 out to be a trusted occasion for cat fans within the Southeast—a must-attend conference that blends enjoyable, schooling, and advocacy.
For extra info and updates, go to spacecatsflorida.com.
