You will LOVE Festival in Houston! I am in the Houston Modern Quilt Guild and we host a meetup in the hotel bar that is attached to the convention center. It is Saturday evening (november 2), and will include door prizes, and often has industry professionals that stop by to socialize and best of all its FREE. Please stop in and socialize and tell us how you are liking the show!
I definitely agree with the suggestions made above, comfy shoes, snacks and water, it will be crowded, but AMAZING! My added suggestion is to start on one end and work your way down so as not to miss anything!