User groups tend to be a group of individuals that specialize in a particular area that meet once a month to listen to a subject matter expert speak. Most times, these groups are sponsored by recruiting firms.

I hated attending user groups.

I had the opinion that user groups are painfully boring and typically full of even more painfully boring people. And my feelings showed. I was "that guy" the user group member mentioned. I tried to sponsor as many groups as I could and showed up in a shirt and tie with pizza and drinks in tow. My lame attempts to network were quickly shut down because everyone knew what I was there to do. It's no secret that I was seen as the "meal ticket" for the group so that I could possibly become a "sponsor" for a short term. Meaning I'd offer money, and in return they'd put my logo on their Web site. I was just used. Used for pizza and cash, and everyone knew it...including me.

I recently polled over 2,000 of my Twitter followers and below are the results and comments made about the poll.

What is the main purpose of a recruiter or recruiting agency attending a user group? (Targeted at user group members-not recruiters.)
Sponsorship ($$, food, drinks, etc.): 21percent
To provide speakers: 0 percent
Job leads: 44 percent
To provide meeting space: 2 percent
To provide information on current market conditions: 25 percent
To assist in the marketing of the group to others: 2 percent
Not much.just bring the pizza and leave: 6 percent

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