Most business networking events are broken.
Most networkers understandably go to promote ourselves, ready to give their "elevator pitch" when someone asks or not. They routinely grab business cards, whether they intend to follow-up or not. And some networkers can’t resist the urge to push their cards onto everyone they meet.
Some networkers are better than others. They politely ask questions and listen to what others do and are interested in. Some even promise to help some of the people they meet in some way and do follow-up.
Sometimes, it’s just to continue relationships with people already known. Just showing up help promote the "brand."
Why do all these people insist on meeting?
Here’s one better way to help all these people get what they want at a networking event. So, grab the first person you meet, ask for 5 or 6 cards and ask them their favorite problems they like to fix as a professional and for whom they love to fix that problem. Then, when it is polite to do so, turn to someone nearby, introduce them to your new friend, tell them the solution they fix and ideally with whom, ask them if they would like your new friends’ business card and ask them how you both could help your new friend. Repeat 4 or 5 times and start over.
You didn’t know it, but you just assumed the best job in the house, you’re truly hosting the event, whether it is yours or not. Try it and comment on how it works.