You should harrass your local NC neighbors to come to the Brushy Mountain Festival....perhaps we will...
You might do well to arrange a trip to the Asheville Arboretum. It's very educational and you would get a chance to see world class bonsai up close and personal. Making contacts with other bonsai folks would do well for you in your current situation and perhaps you could get folks from here to drag you off with them on visits.
I'll certainly keep you in mind. I need to get up to the Arboretum myself...
Robbin