My concern with meetups has always been opsec.
Discussion
Definitely not great for opsec, in the end a decision everyone has to make for themselves. But definitely a great way to connect to like minded people. Maybe you could also go to a meetup a bit further away from your hometown etc. But generally everyone at meetups cares for privacy so you won't see anyone taking photos and shit like that. Just plebs having a good time. At least that's how it's been on the ones I've been.