Much of the value of your meetings can be lost on a member who is retiring or fundamentally shy. For many people, mingling with a room full of strangers can be an unpleasant or even scary experience. To encourage your more reticent members to focus on all those exciting new people and messages instead of the butterflies in their stomachs, give them jobs that require interacting with your other members and attendees. I'm Chris Carter. Nice to meet you.
Name tags are here.
Food is there. I'm Chris Carter. Nice to meet you. Soon they've met many new people and will get cheery nods of recognition throughout the event, making them more responsive and at ease. Happy attendees sell help to sell the value of your meetings.