I've seen some of the ads that promotes a "meet and greet", I haven't done it myself but, just my thoughts in this subject. Is this a risky propositions, for both parties privacy, an idiotic move meeting in public places or just a blind date that enhance the mood for the next moves...or inconvenient, waste of time and money nothing is guaranteed..enlighten me pls..

I've had the same thoughts/concerns. I'm eagerly awaiting other more experienced hobbyists/providers opinions.

I believed it's just ONE of the "screening process" from both sides especially designed for newbies, or foreign visitors, business travelers, from other states, cities and for private clients. Additional criteria of screening for safety/privacy, when the element of trust doesn't exist, or lack of references to gives them more confident with each other. Just guessing ?

Meet and greets are great !  Atlanta has them fairly often-prescreened - location not sent out until day of or evening before-have to be on the "List" to get invited and have to have accepted to be told where it is-small cash contribution upfront from the guy's-ladies usually free-excellent !  Check the M & G Board to see if there is one near you !

...for some food, drink, conversation, and laughs. Where I live there is an agency that does one every couple of months and a monger that does one about every two months. These are reputable well respected people in the hobby community. Both screen potential attendees. References are required. You have the chance to meet mongers you may have communicated with on the boards and providers in the area you are interested in seeing. The M & G is usually held in a public place that has been reserved for the event. (Bar, restaurant, what have you.) There are no "outsiders" there. (Some are held in private homes.)  

There is no business conducted on the premises. Though there is nothing to prevent getting Take Out for after the event. The hosts send out invitations to those that have passed screening and announce here on the Meet & Greet board so anyone that would like to attend can begin the screening process. You don't get to attend just because you say, Hey I want to go.

Since this is simply a Cocktail party so to speak there is no risk of LE any more than a session. (Some might say not as much risk.)  My experience with these is everyone enjoys themselves and conducts themselves in a responsible manner.

Usually the mongers are asked to contribute to the cost of the M & G. I've never paid more than $50.  

Since I have been attending M & G's I've been able to see and talk with the ladies I'm interested in having a session with. I don't have to wonder if she will look as good as her photos. I don't have to wonder if I'll enjoy her company. I can ask a question or two without wondering if she'll cut off communication. I'm at the M & G. I've been screened and I can introduce her to my references or my references can introduce me to her. I have a session or two with someone new after each M & G I attend.
Yes, it also makes it possible to discover who I don't want to see.

Meet and Greets are definitely not just one screening method for when trust doesn't exist as one poster has said. As I said you have to be screened to attend.

All in all I consider M & G's a fun and worthwhile endeavor.

The LA M&G is always a lot of fun.  The host of a M&G is an important factor. And the LA M&G has been hosted by Bond007 for many years. I think it's normal before you've ever attended one to be nervous and concerned. But if your host/hostess is experienced in organizing M&Gs this isn't really much to worry about.  

Also been to M&Gs in Phoenix and Vegas. It's been awhile since I've attended in either city. Vegas will be having the Halloween M&G in a few months and it's always a good time as is the AVN M&G in January  
 

Is this where providers are welcome?

not a brothel but a "meet and great" where providers and potential clients can meet and exchange contact information.  Make it a private club that both have to be invited to join just to keep the rif raff out. Does that make sense?

The OP seemed to be asking about M&G as a step toward consummating a session -- meet in public for a short time, instead of other forms of screening, to build trust and safety assurance.  

Most of the responses seem to be about organized, scheduled group mingles among multiple (potential) clients and providers.

Same term, two completely different meanings.

Or did I just make all that up

I think xyz23 said it best and it works both ways for the hobbyists and the providers. As a provider I can get an opportunity to meet other providers and I get the chance to meet old friends and some potential new ones. Take out is just icing on the cake. lol

I can only speak for the LA meet and greets.  They are put on by Bond007.  He does a great job. The events that I have been to are put on at a nice bar that is closed to the public for the evening.  It would be like if a company was having a event and the venue was closed for the night.  Your name has to be on the guest list to enter.  This no way anyone unknown/not invited gets in.  Only providers and hobby guys are allowed in. There are  
so many hot ladies , you will feel like a kid in the candy store.  It is really a cocktail party setting.  Everyone just mingles.  The difference is, if you see a lady you like, you will for sure that some day, you will be able to have sex with her.  Not at the party though!  You can get names and numbers from all the ladies you like.  It gives guys a chance to see the face of the lady without a blur and also what her full body looks like.   Yes, I did feel like a dork at my first event but I have been able to meet some great men at these events.  Go and have fun.

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Not announced yet, but one is being planned for Oct 22

in my opinion.
I think some of the replies you received are regarding an organized meet and greet where gents and providers meet to get to know one another over light snacks and drinks.That is not risky.
From your post that is not what I assumed you were asking.
The way I read it was that you are asking that some ladies mention on ads a meet and greet meaning in lieu of screening .This is risky.

Meeting a gent who has not yet been verified in person to verify him is pointless in my opinion.
Some guys will suggest this option to meet in public first if he does not want to provide screening info.
This could be dangerous lady shows up but doesn't know the guy.She assumes he never shows so she leaves and now some guy could be following her.Or taking pictures...who knows.

Some ladies offer social rates which could fall under the category of meet and greet but this is different from meeting in public to verify.Usually in this case a provider has verified a gent but a gent might be concerned about the connection or might want to do a date that consists of public time.
If a provider does have a social only rate that is less than her normal BCD rate then a social meet and greet between two I can understand.
It's hard to determine in what capacity meet and greet is being used in ads unless you ask the provider for a clear understanding of what she meant.
Just my .02

...for further screening by any provider I've met at an L.A. M&G.  AFAIC, the reputation of the M&G's host is the most important factor in deciding whether or not to attend.

I use this term for New clients, generally I like a bit of extra time for  clients to chat and see if we click in more tht one area...

LE had been at numerous m & g's.
And the people putting them on always said everyone was screened and safe. Well....obviously the officers got past the screening.  
And even if they don't go in - they find out the location - stake it out and get car license plates and put names with faces as far as the ladies are concerned.

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There is screening and there is good screening.

Every M and G that I put on, I always catch 1 or 2 LE folks during my screening.  U have to be consistent and don't accept anything less than what is required