The Buddy System of Networking

I do want to say what you mentioned just now really resonated with me, because one of the tricks that I used to do, is I used to go to these events with a friend and I would have that friend introduce me to the people she knew. I would introduce her to the people that I knew. So we were both taking advantage of somebody showing you around the room just like you described.

It works really, really well. I call that the buddy system. I go to an event with someone and we plan what we're going to do ahead of time. So we both go in opposite directions because the mistake people make when they go to an event, or even when they're on Zoom is just to talk to the same people all the time. So it's time to make new friends. We go around the room and we find people and say, you know, I'm looking for someone for a friend of mine who
needs to have an introduction to the CEO of a company or whatever it happens to be. I said, do you know anyone here who might be able to do that for her? And if they say yes, could you make that introduction for me?
And then if it's okay with you, I'll introduce her or him to the other person.
It really works because both of you are working for the other. When you go with a group of people, there's someone you're going to find that you can help.