Fear not. This will all get resolved.
Carl, a lot of these start out with hit, miss, trial and error. And each group kinda has to figure out what it is that attracts them.
We had a local Christmas tree growers group that would meet after the tree season every year - at a restaurant and it was not much fun. We wanted to talk to the growers and get some tips on what went good/bad during the growing season. One man usually dominated the discussion and you were trapped by whoever you sat next to. John and I tried not to sit together so at least we'd have a 50/50 chance of learning something. Most of the seating spaces only sat two or four.
Because the meeting was during the winter, it was postponed several times because of bad weather. Some people far away didn't want to come far.
So, one year, we invited them to our farm for the "event." The guy who kinda took charge told me to have it catered. He said the ladies were not going to want to come to a pitch in. EHXKSKEEKES.
We set it up. Got an assortment of food that was easy eating and fixing. The ladies didn't have to bring anything but many called and offered. It was a big hit and a lot of fun. Some of the older growers walked all around our farm, pointing out to us new folks what was good and bad about the trees. We shard with them was us "pups" had learned and the old guys were anxious to hear. We could hardly get the men to come in to eat. It was great. Clean-up was a snap. THAT was OUR kind of event.
So ... plan on something and then continue to tweak as years go by. It will be good to see everyone. Biggest issue is space (for trucks and people). Food is secondary - everyone of us will have had better and worse food!
Peg
