Another bunch of questions for someone relatively new to this site.  I see that in various locales hobbyists and providers periodically hold "meet & greets."  I think I get the basic idea (it's a party), but beyond that I'm not clear what they're about.  What typically happens at a M&G (that would make it different than any other party)?  Where are they held, and how do folks pay for them (e.g., is an admission fee charged, or the hosts just take it on for free)?  Why do providers and hobbyists like to attend -- i.e., what's in it for each group?  What's the attendance typically like -- how many people and hobbyist/provider ratio?  How do the hosts decide whom to invite?  Sorry for so many questions, and sorry if a lot of them are dumb -- but I figure that's what this particular discussion board is for (i.e., dumb questions).

Basically, it's a social event intended to give like minded folks an opportunity to meet.  As a guy, I get to see a woman in the flesh, so her face is unblurred; there's no airbrushing, and I can speak to her and get a sense of her personality.  From the woman's point of view, she's flirting and putting her best foot forward.  It's probably marketing more than fun, but the best providers seem to enjoy themselves.

The host will decide the financing of the party, and who is invited.  Typically, being regarded as someone that won't be a problem is a key to getting invited.

Hope that helps

The only one I went to was about 8 years ago.  I was reminded of a cocktail mixer at a business convention where the vendors go around to the prospective clients and try to make themsleves seem more appealing than their competition.  Not a bad experience, you get to chat with some providers for a few minutes, exchange contact info if you are interested and generally hang out with people who share similar interests.  No "previews" were available, although some of the ladies did get rather explicit about the services they provided.  It also made screening with those ladies extremely easy later on.
At that party, there was a $20 door fee for men, although I got the impression from some of the ladies that the fee they paid was higher although I can't say if this is the norm.  Of course, there were free drinks and hors d'ourves.
This party was supposedly hosted by two local providers, but I could never find out which ones they were.  I got my invite through a lady I had seen a few times.  I have since been invited to a few more, but declined, since I honestly don;t like hanging around with other men talking about who does what for how much.  Not face to face anyway.  Some ladies I would not want to see simply because I thought "if she's been with that, she'll screw anybody".  Sorry guys, but some of y'all, I don't want to be thinking about when I am with a woman

well put