[meesterdude]

> if someone says they'll attend and cancels, we email them and let them know that we have a three strike cancellation policy. it's not fair to others when they cancel and we have a low tolerance for that.

FWIW, this might be counter to your target audience. People who sign up for a service like this will be more likely to present with some form of social anxiety that has inhibited them from socializing normally in the first place. Certainly not everyone, but certainly not no one either. Trying to respond with a heavy hand to such people will only alienate them further; try responding with compassion and understanding and above all else respect. saying you have "low tolerance" for that basically means you have low tolerance for people's quirks and flaws. Attending might be a struggle for some people.

Also, you don't need to mention names or faces; but you could mention some interests that each person has that you would be going to dinner with.

[codewithcheese]

I would like to present a counter point to your generalization. I am interested in this. I work from home on a own business. Do not suffer social anxiety, however my social outgoings are limited due to work from home alone. I would suggest that this type of random dinner would not be very appealing for people who suffer from social anxiety.