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I'm curious -- how often are you having these events? The frequency may have a lot to do with how many people attend. If nothing else, my opinion may give you insight as to how others are thinking...
The Boston Panhel just had a Happy hour/ networking event about a month ago, it was quite well attended. I think it was the first event of its kind for quite a while (maybe ever), so people were really excited to get out and meet other people.
As great as it was, it was a serious effort for me to get there on time. I'm pretty sure I wasn't alone in that regard. I wouldn't attend more than 2-3 of these events in a given year. (I've got enough going on with my own alumnae group.) I think that the rest of the group felt the same way -- we'd all love to hang out with each other, but we're not going to do it on a regular basis.
So, knowing that I'm only going to attend 2-3 of these events yearly is actually quite important in scheduling.
I guess it sums up like this: if Panhel had a monthly event that I could rarely attend, I'd *never* go. I wouldn't know the regulars. I wouldn't be able to commit the time to get to know the regulars. I'd be an outsider -- and that's not worth skipping out of work early to get to wherever it's going to be. However, if they had 2 events a year, I'd make sure I'd get to one of them. There wouldn't be regulars -- everyone would be there just to meet people; and I will (and have) cut out of work just to be there on time in that kind of situation.
For what it's worth....
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