I see binka_nugget beat me to it

Don't walk in there and "hope" Katie will do ok. Walk in there and expect her to do well. You know she is a star, have faith and let her shine.
Also, don't buy into the general "Akita's are stubborn and hard to train" idea. If you start saying that to yourself then you will start to use it to excuse yourself if she doesn't perform up to par. 'Tis better to think how much people will respect you for having such a beautiful well trained akita, especially when they think it's not possible. Prove to those naysayers that it is possible.

Oh yeah, and the most important thing to remember is....HAVE FUN!!!!!