The spreads are too high on btc atms 

I think the local meetup idea is a good one. Find a popular watering hole and start inviting people there to have a drink and talk bitcoin. Ask those already in there if they want to learn more. Show them how easy it is to setup a wallet. Send them some sats. Stress the importance of holding your own keys. Stress the importance of preserving your purchasing power in the hardest money ever created. Do this X times a month. Once you buildup a regular crew, ask the manager of the watering hole if they would consider taking payment in bitcoin. Cheers!