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2025 FAAWO State Leadership Conference
DESCRIPTION:
Hosted by FAAWO and Orlando Cat Cafe
Join FAAWO for a mini conference open to Member Organizations as well as executive and leadership staff from non-member private shelters, municipal shelters, and rescue organizations in Florida.
Centrally located in Orlando at the TownePlace Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossings, conference attendees will enjoy Orlando Cat Cafe tours, a cocktail hour, breakfast and lunch, sponsor exhibits and more than 10 presentations from Florida experts and leaders in animal welfare. Presentations will be concise and digestible (15 to 45 minutes) while offering resources and takeaways.
TICKETS:
Each attendee must have a ticket. Tickets include:
- Tour of Orlando Cat Cafe, Thursday, January 23
- Cocktail Hour (sodas and appetizers included, cash bar), Thursday, January 23
- Continental Breakfast on Friday, January 24
- Access to all conference sessions on Friday, January 24
- Boxed lunch on Friday, January 24
- Attendees from non-member organizations receive a 1-year membership to FAAWO
- FAAWO Member Organizations: FREE
- Non-Member Organizations: $99/person (this does not include hotel room for overnight guests. See below for link to book your room.)
VENUE & LODGING:
- Reservations are first-come, first-served at the conference venue TownePlace Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossings
- There is a $10/day parking fee
AGENDA: Thursday, January 23, 2025
(Thursday activities are optional)
Tour of Orlando Cat Cafe
4:00pm – 6:00pm | 532 Cagan Park Avenue, Clermont
Conference Kick-Off Cocktail Hour Sponsored by Orlando Cat Cafe
6:00pm – 8:00pm | Flamingo’s Bar & Grille, 13279 Hartzog Rd., Winter Garden
Meet and mingle with FAAWO members and leadership executives from Florida shelters.
AGENDA: Friday, January 24, 2025
Friday breakfast, lunch and presentations will be held at the TownCenter Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossing
Registration and Continental Breakfast Sponsored by Orlando Cat Cafe
8:00am – 8:30am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30am – 8:45am
FAAWO Board President: Sherry Silk, Humane Society Tampa Bay
The Power of Partnerships: Addressing Animal Concerns in Disasters
8:45am – 9:45am
Diedre Franklin, Senior Manager, National Partnership Strategy, National Field Response, ASPCA
Clint Ganus, Manager, Disaster Response, National Field Response, ASPCA
Tim Rickey, Vice President Field Response Policy, Response and Engagement, ASPCA (tentative)
Humane Legislation – Highlights
9:45am – 10:45am
Amie Farquhar, Senior Outreach Manager Government Relations, ASPCA
Kate MacFall, Florida Senior State Director, HSUS
Speed Intro – The Zoomies
10:45am – 11:00am
Interactive session
Get Funded: Resources, Grants, Development, and Direct Mail
11:00am – 11:30am
Melissa Braillard, Chairman and Board Member of Central Florida Association of Fundraising Professionals & Director of Community Support and WUCF TV and Radio
Laura Littlebear, Vice President, Field Operations, Greater Good Charities
Reuniting Lost Pets
11:30am – 12:15pm
Abbie Moore, COO Petco Love Lost
Aaron Klein, Head of Product, Petco Love
Brian Lloyd, Operations Manager, AC Division, Port St. Lucie PD (tentative)
Courtney Medina, Director of Client Services, 24Pet
Sponsor Exhibits and Lunch
12:15pm – 1:00pm
The First 90 Days – How to Hook, Reel In, and Keep Employees Thriving and Surviving
1:00pm – 2:15pm
Kai Contreras, AlphaStaff
Sandy Edelson, AlphaStaff
Jesse Leeds, AlphaStaff
Lauren Smith, AlphaStaff
Michelle Turman, Catalyst
State of the State, How are Animals doing in Florida?
2:15pm – 2:45pm
Cameron Moore, Maddie’s Shelter Strategy and Operations Consultant, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida
Collaboration for Success
2:45pm – 3:15pm
Sandra Cagan, Owner, Orlando Cat Cafe
Tiking, Toking, and Keepin’ it On Brand
3:15pm – 4:00pm
Regan Blessinger, Marketing Manager, Humane Society of Tampa Bay
Nash McCutchen, Design & Brand Manager, Humane Society of Tampa Bay; FAAWO Administrative Director
Q&A, Closing Remarks, and Group Photos
4:00pm – 4:15pm
All presenters will be available to answer questions
Sponsor Exhibits and Optional Tour of Orlando Cat Cafe
4:20pm
Please Note: Orlando Cat Cafe is a 15-minute drive from the conference site. Tour attendees are responsible for their own transportation.