In my experience it won't be looking too pretty after a year.

By the most important thing (if that's what you're doing) is to have a really good operator who knows the laws, has experience and is above board so they won't leave you high and dry. 

I was hoping to connect will someone with some event venue experience.

In my experience it cannot be used as construction funding. 

By the time I sold, I became a realtor and worked the deal by myself for more experience.

You could also check what Realtors in your market are preferred agents here on BP- they should have at least a little experience with investing and a network built up. 

Contact a local attorney who has experience in this type of thing.

Florida also have many more high end places than Oklahoma (we are much more of a blue collar city in my experience). 

@Ronald Rohde, sounds like you had a bad experience. 

The license doesn't cost more, the service and quality does.And a note on that cost, in my experience hiring contractors, only a small percentage of the cost savings was due to finding the right guy who is willing to work for less.