UKIUKI at CatCon 2026: Thank You, Pasadena!

Eight years later, we returned to CatCon with new products, familiar dreams, and a whole lot of love for cats.

Eight Years Later, Back at CatCon

In October 2026, UKIUKI returned to CatCon in Pasadena, California, after eight years.

For us, this was more than just another cat convention. It was an opportunity to reconnect with the American cat-loving community, introduce our products, and share the story behind our independent Korean cat brand.

UKIUKI began in 2013, inspired by a rescued cat named TBE.

What started with the love of one cat grew into a brand celebrating the special bond between cats and their humans. Today, we create freeze-dried cat treats, original cat characters, stationery, and lifestyle products inspired by the happiness cats bring into our lives.

TBE, the rescued cat who inspired UKIUKI in 2013.

Returning to CatCon after eight years felt like opening a new chapter in our journey.

Bringing UKIUKI All the Way from Korea

Preparing for an international exhibition as a small business is never easy.

From arranging shipments and preparing promotional materials to organizing booth displays, every detail required careful planning.

Our founder traveled from Korea to California with nearly 70 kilograms of luggage, personally managing much of the preparation.

There were unexpected challenges, too. Some of our new products went missing before the event began, and we had to make last-minute adjustments.

But experiences like these are part of the journey of building a small business internationally.

When our booth was finally ready and visitors began arriving, the hard work felt worthwhile.

Reaching More Cat Lovers with 4,000 UKIUKI Catalogs

One of our most meaningful promotional efforts at CatCon 2026 was distributing 4,000 UKIUKI catalogs through the event’s information desk.

Our goal was simple: introduce UKIUKI to visitors before they even reached our booth.

Throughout the weekend, many people stopped by and told us they had already discovered UKIUKI through the catalog they picked up near the entrance.

Some remembered our colorful cat characters, while others wanted to see the products featured inside.

One of the sweetest moments was seeing children walking around the convention carrying our catalogs.

Watching our designs travel around the venue in their hands was an unexpected joy.

For a small Korean brand, these moments showed us that our story was reaching people beyond our booth.

Sharing Our Cat-Inspired World

At Booth #1313, visitors discovered different sides of UKIUKI.

Some were drawn to our original cat characters, notebooks, and tote bags. Others were interested in our freeze-dried cat treats.

We loved seeing people smile at our designs, share stories about their own cats, and ask questions about our products.

These conversations reminded us why UKIUKI began in the first place.

Cats bring people together, even when we come from different countries and speak different languages.

More Than 300 Cat Lovers Interested in Our Freeze-Dried Treats

One of the most encouraging results of CatCon 2026 was the response to our freeze-dried cat treats.

During the two-day event, more than 300 visitors shared their contact information and expressed interest in purchasing our treats.

We also met many wonderful customers who purchased products at our booth.

Every conversation, purchase, and encouraging comment meant a great deal to us.

As a small independent brand exploring opportunities in the United States, hearing directly from cat parents was especially valuable.

Those 300-plus expressions of interest represent more than a number. They are new connections and opportunities to build relationships with cat-loving families.

We look forward to sharing more information and confirmed product updates through our newsletter and official channels.

A Special Visit from Nathan the Cat Lady

Another unforgettable highlight was welcoming Nathan the Cat Lady to the UKIUKI booth!

Known for his love of cats and entertaining content, Nathan is a familiar face to many cat lovers.

We were truly honored that he took the time to visit our small Korean brand.

After eight years away from CatCon, moments like this made our return even more memorable.

Thank you, Nathan, for stopping by and being part of our CatCon 2026 story!

Follow him on Instagram: @nathanthecatlady.

The People Who Made It Special

Beyond the catalogs, products, and memorable visits, what made CatCon truly special was the people.

We met passionate cat parents, creative entrepreneurs, families, and wonderful members of the cat-loving community.

Many visitors generously shared their experiences, suggestions, and encouragement.

We were also grateful for our dedicated event staff, who helped welcome visitors, introduce products, and keep our booth running throughout the busy weekend.

To everyone who visited, made a purchase, shared an idea, or simply stopped to say hello: thank you.

Your kindness and support gave us renewed motivation to continue growing UKIUKI.

What We Learned and What’s Next

CatCon 2026 reminded us that building a brand is about more than creating products.

It is about creating meaningful connections.

Our 4,000 catalogs helped introduce UKIUKI to visitors throughout the venue. The interest of more than 300 potential customers encouraged us as we continued exploring the U.S. market. And the conversations we shared gave us fresh ideas for the future.

We returned to Korea with new connections, valuable feedback, and a renewed sense of purpose.

There is still much to learn, but we are excited about what comes next.

Our Story Continues

UKIUKI’s story began in 2013 with one rescued cat named TBE.

Thirteen years later, that small beginning continues to connect us with cat lovers around the world.

CatCon 2026 has become another unforgettable chapter in our journey.

To everyone who visited UKIUKI Booth #1313 in Pasadena, thank you for making our return so special.

We hope to stay connected through our newsletter, social media, and future events.

Until next time, CatCon. We hope to see you again next year!

With love and gratitude,

Rachel Ham
Founder & CEO, UKIUKI

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