Bill,
You ask an interesting question. I have a support group in Sun City, Arizona that has been around for close to 30 years without much advertising, I generally have about 20 people show up. Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program really talks it up and some individuals tell me that after diagnosis, they simply called the hospital or the Lung Association to find a group.
When I started working in another area, I felt there was nothing for people here but found it difficult to get it going in an area that is not a retirement community. It is a Better Breathers Club through the Lung Association. The Lung Association has been the best advertisement. A Pulmonary Physician offered his office after hours to meet and now we have some activity but still slow. Community Centers are a good place to advertise if you plan to meet right there or your group is close to it. I have not gotten any individuals attending from local hospitals the flyers were provided to. If you are affiliated with a hospital it might be a good time to offer your support group to the discharge planning team that is working on the 30 day hospital readmission plan. I have just been invited to attend one of these meetings to prevent COPD readmission.
Kathy