Hi, I've been to Houston twice. My rule of thumb is:
Pack your suitcase and count your money.
Then take half the stuff out of your suitcase and double your money. ;-) That should do it!
Seriously? Follow the advice of your husband. A thousand booths means a thousand booths to spend. Check what your income allows you to spend. And that's your limit.
I've been to Houston with someone who had a 100 dollars to spend and she was happy as any other because she has a very tight budget. Another girl took 2000 dollars and it was too little.
Take a bit more than normal bot not more than you can afford. That should make it a good budget to feel you did something special, but you do not have to worry the months after how to pay the credit card company!
Have fun quilting! And say hi to JoAnne from paperpieces.com from me! I'll see her next year on show!
Anymart