Celebration VI - Noob....lol

My girlfriend and I are planning on coming over in August to attend our very first Celebration (VI). Very excited about coming over and would like to meet some of you guys. I plan on bringing my Fett over if I can secure a decent box to prevent damage and costs on plane. We are interested in having a look around while we are there. Any places you can recommend to visit? Place to stay while VI is on? Don't want to be too far from the convention centre while its on. So any info would be gratefully received! Be awesome to have a few cold beers with you guys!

We have friends in Florida, Bradenton who we will be visiting after VI.

the extended stay near there is pretty close they also have busses running around the area just for it that drop u off in front much better than walking or driving and parking in the back and walking...