Alek, Glad to hear you're coming! I can tell you a few things others will be bringing.
I'm making laksa,
Teresa will probably be bringing something sweet
my sister will be bringing a thai flavored slaw
RAB and REB will be there, and are bringing some Indonesian dishes: grilled fish in banana leaf and a papaya salad.
I'll probably also bring a bunch of different fresh greens to eat along with everything.
As for suggestions, Bun Cha Hanoi would be fun since it's hard to find a good rendition of it in chicago. I have one of those metal grilling racks they use for it. Or Bo la Lot. Or some spicy cold malaysian salads. Or somethinng sticky rice wrapped up in leaves and grilled. A thai salad using grilled meat would be good too.
Suiname, Yes, the smoker will be at some of the future ones but probalby not all of them. It's not too hard to bring it so i someone needs a spot on it they can always ask. Hope to see you at some of these!
Part of the secret of a success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.
-Mark Twain