Emerging artists show strategies

I was recently invited to participate in an emerging artist's show. I have a few months to prepare, and so I will be creating new works, which will hopefully be accepted. This is a good gallery, and I want to make the most of it. So what does everyone know about these things?

What is an emerging artist's show? Is it an exciting thing for the clients of the gallery? Or is it the one show they pick to miss? Is it an endorsement from the art director to her clients, or more like a survey of what's new without any assessment or explicit recommendations?

What's a good strategy for these things? 2-3 complex pieces that knock everyone's socks off? Or pieces that show promise or competence and are small/inexpensive enough to purchase? Include a study or drawing? Or some combination?

Advice? Recommendations?

Thanks!
Lisa