I think it best to do it after the Con. People may be more apt to participating without that threat looming over them and they may have more swag to bring. Plus why be cooped up in a small retail area when summers in SoCal are obviously the best in the country and an open invitation to be outside...
I am up for BBQ at my place, as long as someone supplies BBQ equipment and we do it potluck style. I have lots of outside space now.
This will have to be end of August for various reasons. Hope u guys can wait. Might give u some time to get the balls together to trade some shit