The oldest meet-up (not Meetup) I went to I think worked because 1) bald faced ads were not allowed (except during a ten minute period at the beginning) and you were not invited back if your presentation turned into one.

And 2) about 15% of attendees went to a bar afterward to talk shop.

I’ve really started contemplating adding #2 on my own to meet-ups if the organizers don’t.

Running a monthly meeting is a lot of hard work and many people get it wrong, or can’t keep the wheels on.