I can see what your saying locky..
No disrespect but can you suggest a format that is flexible enough to work?
I mean Dimitri put up a poll, of which only several people made a choice of dates, and others were happy whatever the outcome, then there was a location and time put out there, with no other suggestions from others.
Maybe a fixed location and time from the start would have been better, that way people can be prepared hail rain or shine?
Also someone said earlier about putting up meet up threads in a more "visible" location. That would most definitely help.
My .02 cents