Meetup scores an eight out of ten in being a useful application for managing in-person meeting groups. Think of it as the Facebook of meetings: an online community where individuals join and then have access to search for matches among the various groups that exist within their online space. Joining the Meetup does not automatically join or commit individuals to any particular group.
The Meetup system is free for individual members to join and provides the ability to search for specific interest matches on groups listed with in-person “meetups” being held within a designated geographic radius.
Group leaders are charged a fee to set up their group within meetip and to use the system resources. Leaders get a number of valuable capabilities related to group meetings including meeting scheduling and an rsvp system for members, and an automated payment system which is convenient but quite honestly overpriced given that leaders already pay to have groups within the community. While there are a number of ways for groups to charge individuals through the system, the system surprisingly misses a few important options in this arena. For some leaders, having people pay in person is still the best option ( and saves 10 percent in fees) . That's specifically why they only get a eight out of ten.
The system allows group leaders to post an immense amount of background information on the group including graphics, store files for member access, even hide meeting locations from those who haven't paid to attend. Reminder emails are sent automatically and the system allows the group leader to track automated and on-site payments for meetings and / or group memberships.
Other capabilities include the ability to print name tags and attendance lists, track individual attendance, selectively share leadership responsibilities, research meeting places used by other groups, rate meetings, offer members the ability to communicate with each other and more.
Meetup is a very useful tool both for group organizers and for individuals seeking to find groups and individuals that share their interests.