I'm going to my first local REI meeting. What should I say or not say?

[Brian W.]

I'm going to my first local REI meeting in a couple of weeks. I have not idea what to look for in terms of whether or not this is a good group or if I can gain anything from it.

Is there anything I should keep my eye open for in terms of if this is a "good" meeting with "good" people?

Is there anything I should say or not say that might make the more experienced want to try to take advantage of me?

If I'm wanting to become a landlord with a buy-and-hold long-term strategy, who should I be looking for at this meeting that might have inventory that is not on the MLS that I could get a better deal through than buying off the MLS? Inventory is very slim where I am (Atlanta, GA area) and I'm trying to find good inventory that is not on the MLS so I have a better shot and getting a good deal on a property.

Any other advice is very welcomed as I am completely in the dark as to what to expect from this meeting and how I should approach it. In other words, I don't know what I don't know.