Looking to start a REIA

[Evan Glasco]

Hello, I am a real estate investor in Grass Valley, CA. Formally a property manager of multi tenant industrial complexes, i specialize in buy and hold investments.

I have been looking to network with local real estate professionals, I've created a Facebook group, but I'm really looking to network in person. I know everyone's still weary of shaking hands but there's got to be like minded people out there looking for the same thing as I am right?

The closest REIA i found was in Sacramento. It's only about an hour away so i looked up and noted the address, date and time of the meetup. In hindsight i probably should have dug a little deeper but my wife watched the kids so daddy could network and off i went. Walking through the door of the hotel i noticed the place was dead. As i wandered the halls i couldn't help but think "am I in the wrong place?" No, i was in the right place, however it, like every other REIA I've heard of in America has been moved online and they just haven't updated their website. Lesson learned

My question is, if I have never been to a REIA in person, how can i learn the structure to start one myself? Like an in person, feels illegal kind of meetup. Does it need a certain structure? Should I invite keynote speakers and provide finger foods with exotic cheeses from all across the world? Or should I just start out with the Investors I know, and start a meeting at a coffee shop and grow from there?