Flying to a conference is a real investment of time and money, so drifting through it hoping to bump into the right people wastes the trip. A little structure turns a crowded event into genuine, lasting connections.
Decide in advance who you want to meet and why, and review the agenda for the sessions and gatherings where they are likely to be. A few specific goals beat a vague plan to network. Quality of conversation matters far more than the number of cards you collect.
Follow up within a couple of days while the conversation is fresh. The connection is made after the event, not during it, and a short, specific note is what turns a hallway chat into a working relationship.