Event pricing, with Alumni Magnet is much easier to manage than with other systems.  We're able to charge different pricing for members, non, and even by cut-off dates.

This is what we've found through the years:
-  People expect to pay for something that has perceived value
-  People will RSVP for free events, but won't necessarily show up.  This makes filling a room and accurately ordering food quantities difficult.
- $15 is the lower threshhold that gets peoples' skin in the game.  Anything less and they are still likely to not show up.
- Member pricing is set just to cover costs
- $15 is a good price differential between member and non-member pricing.  This is just enough to push someone into purchasing membership.
- Generally, we allow members to buy 2 tickets at member pricing.  This allows for a guest, spouse, co-worker.
- Allow non members to purchase 4-6 tickets at non member pricing.

When to hold free events:
- Annual social events are a huge hit.  Because we need to get people to commit to attending, we still charge a nominal fee for our dinners.  However, the member pricing is greatly reduced from non member pricing -- $40 or more per ticket.  This is our time to say thank you to our members and to encourage people to purchase membership.  The key to this event is holding it at a location that to which the general public doesn't have access -- country club, private dinner club, embassy, etc.
- Our industry-specific networking events are free and open to paid members only.  The club picks up light dinner for these meetings.  Notification to meeting location is only distributed to members of the group so that non members will not show up.
- Happy hours are free to attend.  The club pays for appetizers and people pay for their own drinks.