I think it's better to "fish" for your fellow techies (rather than potential executives) for a couple of reasons:
1. You're likely to learn more (at least about your craft) in casual users' group meetings than you are in a business lunch
2. Good programmers and meetup organizers have a tendency to become the next business cycle's project managers and CIOs, so having a network made up of them is a great way to improve your chances at snagging your next great job
Also, in my experience at least, good managers are usually much more pro-active about getting to know their reports than the reverse. Regardless, it's not a very effective means of expanding your professional network, since your boss already knows you from your work together, and is unlikely to recommend you more or less enthusiastically because you sat down for a club sandwich together.
1. You're likely to learn more (at least about your craft) in casual users' group meetings than you are in a business lunch
2. Good programmers and meetup organizers have a tendency to become the next business cycle's project managers and CIOs, so having a network made up of them is a great way to improve your chances at snagging your next great job
Also, in my experience at least, good managers are usually much more pro-active about getting to know their reports than the reverse. Regardless, it's not a very effective means of expanding your professional network, since your boss already knows you from your work together, and is unlikely to recommend you more or less enthusiastically because you sat down for a club sandwich together.