Well, since I've already thought an answer to this question once before, I'll quote myself...er, copy and paste myself..previous answer? You get the idea:
The process for setting up a minicon is actually quite simple:
1.) Find out who are and how many of your local fellow Rick owners and forum members are*
2.) Ask who's interested in getting together
3.)
Find a suitable venue-we usually use the showcase room of a local rehearsal studio, buy an 8 hour block of time, haggle a slightly discounted rate, and split the cost.
3.) Set a date that's on a convenient day, and with enough advance notice for folks to make arrangements to attend.
4.)
Keep hammering home reminders to all prospective attendees until the hammer breaks...in a diplomatic and humorous manner, of course. (this is the "cat herding" part)
5.)
Get a prospective song list together, and if possible, jam with a few of the guys here and there ahead of time on some of the songs you want to play. You can pre-learn a lot of lyrics and music on your own just by watching live you tube videos, and googling the songs you're interested in playing. This site is also helpful, though like everything else in this world, imperfect: http://www.azchords.com/m.html
6.) Booze and snacks are to be encouraged! (We order pizza about half way through )
7.) Have fun, take lots of pics, and shoot some video!
8.) Post the photos and video profusely on the forum after the event to encourage envy, regret, and future attendance among those locals who missed out!
*Rich, Joey, and I have taken to trolling this forum on the lookout for new forum on the lookout for new local forum memb ers so we can guilt ambush them into having a good time by showing up at the next jam; don't accept "I'm not much of a player" for a refusal or answer.
Sometimes we have a band as a guest appearance, but remember, you want to keep the momentum going and encourage participation by everyone involved, so a band should probably do about a 30-35 minute set max, and maybe be up for sticking around to jam, if possible.