I will be in Columbus tomorrow in fact, dropping a transmission for a boxster. I'd love to tell you there were some good shops down that way but I am afraid that the bulk of the good ones are in atlanta/north. Rylands, Terry at Performance in Alpharetta,
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/575188-atlanta-repair-shops-northside.html
As far as event go, the big one is Caffeine and Ocatane:
Caffeine and Octane Atlanta's Best Car Show
but a new meet has recently emerged don't remember the details, but mostly older stuff--also NW atlanta though\
Amelia Island is great every year though!