Another Wi-Fi tip... bring your laptop onto the show floor (or even NEAR the show floor) and you should be able to find more networks that you can shake a stick at. In Miami, I helped someone get their network going, and there was at least 20 wireless units active and WIDE OPEN.
Be careful though, technically this is trespassing! :-)
As for "when to start the party" I would say not TOO early, give most people a chance to actually get into town and get settled a little bit. I am in at noonish, probably in the hotel area by 2. Maybe 9ish?
Alex