There are many Islamic events where men and women attend. The jahils, munafiqs, and extremists will always say "FITNAH" or "FREE MIXING ASTAGHFIRILLAH".
These jahil extremists are stupid and misguided beyond belief. Men and women being in the same area is NOT haraam. It is NOT free mixing. Free mixing is when men and women flirt and dance together, such as nightclubs.
However, filthy people with filthy perverted mindsets will fail to differenciate between nightclubs and just men and women being in the same place.
There are MANY INSTANCES where men and women were present in the SAME SETTING during the time of the Prophet Muhammed pbuh. There are instances of non-mehram women servinf food to the Prophet Muhammed pbuh and his guests. I can go on and on.
The people who cry "free mixing" have no idea how stupid they sound.