> . From my discussions with organizers in other groups, they are having a difficult time finding companies willing to host.

Don't rely on companies to host. Myself and my co-organizer tend to use a co-working space that we are members of, and tend to refuse the corporate sponsorships we are offered.

We probably don't get as big a crowd, but the people we do get tend to be really into the subject matter so it's a great group of people.

Mind you, the core of us have been at this for over a decade so that probably helps too.