On a previous forum that i used to take part in they used to do meets all the time. What would happen is a city would be decided on and there would be a different city every year. Then a venue would be booked, like a function room in a pub and they would have a big party, and everyone would find accommodation for the night (in advance), then there would be all the photos on the forum after it. Then the next year it would be in another city. They used to have like one in London, then manchester, newcastle, glasgow etc.
It was ok as there was someone to plan it all and arrange for payment for the function suite etc