Have you had experience with setting up local, live professional networking groups?What makes them successful?

Have you had experience with setting up local, live professional networking groups?What makes them successful?

In my transition to MetLife, I am considering setting up a local professional networking group to consist of less than 15 professionals. It will consist of a residential Realtor, a commercial Realtor, attorneys from different fields, insurance agents, a financial planner, a web designer, several HR people, and others. I have never done this before. What do you think would add to the success of the group? What would make you interested in joining and actively participating in that type of networking function. The focus is Real Estate but wouldn't be limited - or should it be? I value your input.