:)
You got time but I'd say put as much as you can into before this.  It will be a good opportunity for you to connect and network with a lot of people.  Plus if you have a nice enough finished product will definitely give you time to do your thing and showcase.

Do it up.....

see i suggested that before but somebody was a negative nancy

Tom, Kai...how hard would it be for us to throw an event up there, and what kind of bankroll would we need?  Drew where are you?

Event should be in a major city as to allow the most people affordable travel to the location.  I think a fundraiser would be a great idea for this.