I am helping organize this but with very limited input and time on my end.
I supported the event from the 1st nite it was announced and I fully support the organizer too, he is a solid guy and I like him a lot as you likely know @papa-pepper
He cares about the Steemit community. We started gathering ideas, making logos, getting input months ago...... I am going to say well before Christmas.
I may not get there and knew it months ago when this idea came up, but I am supporting this. If I find the rest of the money and logistics to actually get to SteemFest for the trip I won, that will truly be a miracle.