Even though I worked hard to win my human a trip to BarkWorld in Atlanta, GA, I did have my doubts. After all, its name clearly shows that the conference started off as a dog-centric event. But I heard rumors that they were thinking up ways to make it more cat blogger friendly, and I was not disappointed! It all begin when my human showed up at registration and they gave her this ribbon to stick to the bottom of her badge.
There were lots of exhibitors that catered to both cats and dogs, and the company that co-sponsored the contest, Pruven, had some cat-specific items.
PetCo was showing off its new Star Wars line of toys and collars for cats and dogs. They aren’t supposed to hit the stores until September 1, but my human saw them in our local PetCo before she left.
There was even a cat groomer there… in fact, it was the the president of the National Cat Groomers Association, Danelle German, who came with her kitty Petunia.
Petunia even agreed to a grooming demonstration.
I am not even sure what to say about this dog.
BarkWorld even set up a Meow breakfast for the humans of cat bloggers, and supplied feline-specific swag bags. There was also a later session only for cat and dog bloggers — no brands and no other types of attendees. It was a private session, so everyone there was sworn to secrecy, but I can say both sides discovered they pretty much had the same goal in common — to have awesome, attention-worthy blogs!
There was a brand block party after the first full day of sessions, and they even had kitty specific props.
While my human attended all sorts of sessions about things like digital marketing, “round tables” on newsletters (she wants to make my newsletter even better!) and viral stories, and talked to several brands, she took the most notes during the cat agility training session held by Karen Nichols, the human mastermind behind Mousebreath. Karen’s cat Tripper, at 24 pounds, is the biggest agility cat around. In fact, she couldn’t bring him because he was too big to fit in the type of carrier required for airplane cabin travel.
Karen gave detailed instructions on how to build inexpensive agility props. I have no idea when my human is going to actually sit down and make any of this; I’m just glad she does not expect me to learn any of it. You probably know who she had in mind.
That’s right — the cat who embarrassed me and Boodie by trying to dig into the bag of swag the moment my human returned from BarkWorld!
This is most, but not all of the swag my human brought home. We have a few things that aren’t in this photograph. One of them is going to be a small newsletter giveaway (so subscribe today — my newsletter goes out on Tuesday!). Some of it just didn’t make it into the photo. Will I be having a blog giveaway? Most likely! More to come. For now, I want to thank the BarkWorld humans for having a great conference, and for making sure we kitties got acknowledged!
See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.
I love that last photo…the whole gang! What a great round up…I don’t want to miss BarkWorld next year. I don’t know what to say about that dog either! (-:
Sounds like fun!!!!!
Sounds like it was more cat-centric than Blogpaws. Maybe TW will just go there next year.
I had no idea Barkworld was doing something kitty-oriented. That’s nice!
Purrs
Sounds like your human represented you well Sparkle! Meow and Namaste! ~ Pippy the Feline Yogini
Pretty cool to go to an event named after woofies and to come away with kitty swag! purrrr
We were really curious about Barkworld, so we’re glad you wrote about it. You even brought swag home! It sounds like it might be more like what we were hoping to get out of BlogPaws, so purrhaps we should look into next year.
Wow Miss Sparkle..looks like she had a great time and brought home lots of stuff..
You had us at “dogs drool”! MOL!
Well, I’m glad *some* dogs are finally getting a clue that we rule the world!
Sparkle, that all sounds really good. We are glad that your Human had a good time and we like the ribbon they gave her for her badge!
That sounds like a great conference. Mom says that she wishes she had known so much would be for kitty bloggers as Atlanta’s only about six hours away and she had to miss Blog Paws. Did they say where this Conference will be next year? Enjoy all your swag. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
It will be in Atlanta again next year – and it will be even better because they are teaming up with the Cat Writer’s Association! Which means even more and better kitty swag and lots more cat humans!
Nice report, Sparkle! looks like you got some nice swag 🙂 Binga kind of…well, more like really…reminds us of our Minnie 😀 We’re glad BarkWorld was just as much a MeowWorld. Looking forward to the agility updates…
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie
Oh, we knew we could depend on you to give a fair and unbiased repurrt! We so wanted to be there, but it was an extra expense that Teri just couldn’t swing this year since she lost her job! But she’s already telling telling people who interview her that she attends two pet blogging conferences a year…so we hope to see everyone at BW in 2014!
We’re so glad to hear that cats were recognized at BarkWorld. Our head peep nearly went and was worried it would be “all dogs all the time.” Next year, she’ll have to check it out!
It looks like Bark World was a great success. I would have been checking out that swag bag too.
Happy to hear your human had a good time! Nice to see barkworld appreciates us kitties!
Glad to hear that your human hade a great time at Barkworld and that you got a swagbag worth the name 🙂
XOXO
Next year I’m sending mom
Welcome home! Looks like you saw all kinds of great things. And we agree with you on that dog-thing or whatever that spotted creature was. MOL! Purrs…
We hope your Mommy had cleaned up all of doggies’ scents off her before getting in the house!
glad to hear you mum had fun at barkworld SParkle and even better that she brought back lots of swag for you all,xx Speedy
It really was fun seeing your human again Sparkle! BarkWorld sure is kitty friendly!!!
We’re glad your human had a good time at BarkWorld and that they acknowledged that cats rule! Hope Binga got some of the goodies in that bag! We’re glad our mommy doesn’t like Star Wars cause those things looked scary!
That sounds like a pawsome conference! So interesting. And we are glad to hear that they were including all the kitties too. Now do tell us about what happened in airport security to Glogirl??? MOL
Are you not agile Sparkle? 😉
Great report! It’s very nice that they are kitty blogger friendly, too. I love the ribbon very much.
Well it looks like it was worth going to! Good for you!
we have been hearing great things about Barkworld….we may have to consider sending mom next year 🙂
Fabulous post Sparkle!!!! Since Mom was sponsored by a dog company she may not write about BarkWorld on Cat Chat, she isn’t sure yet! You DEFINITELY covered it and superbly!!! My only complaint was the cat groomer’s human was super paranoid about anyone touching that cat. Give me an ordinary rescue cat any day!
Neat stuff, there! Very neat but you had me a little worried. I was scrollin’ down and saw the picture of the cat and then the note ’bout her groomer bein’ there and then… then… then that picture of that dog. For just a second (okay, maybe more than ONE second) there I thought… I thought…. I THOUGHT THAT THAT CAT HAD BEEN TURNED INTO THAT DOG.
MOUSES!!!
May the purrs be with us all,
Nissy
Wow, it sounds like BarkWorld was pretty cool…even for the cats! The mom says she may have to go next year.
So glad it was cat friendly. You got a lot of great stuff. Not sure about the polka dotted dog either. I think their human should look the same. LOL.
Mom says they do Cat Agility at Cat shows and it’s a lot of fun to watch!! It looks like Barkworld was pretty cool.
The Florida Furkids
Wow, that does look like a great conference and so glad that they included cats. Looks like it was a huge success and that is good. Glad the Mom had a good time.
wow! That sure is a lot of cool stuff…. You guys are so lucky!
He he – that picture of the disguised kitty. We are interested in whether any of you like that Love Glove. Our humans have an older different brand of a similar thing. Though I don’t “love” it when they use it on me, I like it more than a brush. Sort of like a zoom groom, I guess.
Wow, definitely better than the last time, if we remember rightly.
Glad you’re mommy had a great time. Maybe Binga would leave you alone if she were tired from agility work.
Woof! Woof! I object. Cats had no business being at Dog World, but I know from experience, they tend to horn in on everything. Just sayin’.
Oops, I left the wrong URL: http://zemeks.blogspot.com is where I post!
Looks like Binga’s got a job offer!! And it also seems that Barkworld despite its name is more cat friendly that Blogpaws!
We’re glad your Mom had a fun time at Barkworld and she brought a swag bag back with her for you.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
We are glad your human had fun and that cats were recognized at Barkworld!
Some kitties around here would have been right at that bag too 😉
heehee
Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
Treasure,Tiger, JJ and Julie