I haven't been to the Quilt Show, but I did get to go to Quilt Market (the business trade show) last year ... and it was wonderful!
Actually, three of us went and it was as though we had each attended completely different events, as we split up and were each drawn to totally different booths.
You're going to have a wonderful time! I can't advise you on how to use your time other than to go with the flow and just enjoy it fully!