These people are really good speakers and are very motivating.

Some of the REIA's are lame and all about just having one speaker after another who tries to sell you into their 3 day then coaching.  

Great for networking, asking questions, speakers vary month to month.

Typically a topic is chosen, and a guest speaker that specializes in that topic presents on the subject (1031 exchanges, large multifamilies investing, lead generation, to name a few).

There's usually an interesting speaker and interesting people to meet.

I could, perhaps, get a guest speaker to speak on a topic that everyone is interested in or would like more info on.

There is a FREE landlording meeting this Thursday, May 26th, at Tommy's Pizza on Dublin-Granville that features education (a Q&A session geared to newbies for general real estate investing and landlording as well as a featured speaker) and networking and has a good mix of newbies and experienced investors.

I've attended 3 different Lunch 'N Learns at my local real estate association in the past were the speakers were probate/estate attorneys.

Though the big meetings can have excellent speakers, it just depends on who it is

A lot of times, speakers, especially if they are trying to sell you something, will use agressive projected sell prices, top annual increases and low annual expense increase to project HIGH ROI's.