Hive meet ups are important because of reasons you mentioned and beyond. Hivebeecon was different because it was very social.
But it also stimulated a lot of interesting conversations and blue plans.
One of my favorite conversation was surrounding terminology. There are certain words which could be unproductive. Then again certain kinds of approach should be made exclusive for businesses and certain approaches for community building. They can seem as one, but are very different.
I feel like meetups add an extra layer of bonding that starts from the chain.
At the same time, I agree, that an attempt should be made to reach out to others or let outsiders reach us. A start is what valueplan is trying. However, I think that hive meetups that host or invite other businesses, host dev conferences, invite community leaders of different locations, and such could grow the reach.

It was a pleasure meeting you. I wish I could pick your brain even more. But that's why we need to meet more 😉