I belong to a different type of guild (smocking) and don't know if this will work in your case, but wanted to throw it out for consideration.
Our guild meeting place has two rooms; we have a meeting space, and a kitchen area where coffee & desserts are served. At the beginning of our program for the evening, the President always says something along the lines of: If you don't wish to participate in the program (or listen to the speaker), and just want to visit with friends, please adjourn to the kitchen area so that those participating can hear and see the speaker properly. Since we've started doing that, most people will go into the other room to chit-chat. Don't know if this will work for any of you since obviously you need a two-room space and not just a single large room.