Let's talk about the best approaches and the advantages and disadvantages to each.
Group networking events are gatherings which either allocate time for networking or devote the entire agenda to networking. Professional associations will often have a networking hour prior to their regular membership meeting. Conferences will often schedule networking time for attendees. There are also organizations that promote themselves as networking groups, specifically for business people to share business leads and referrals.
Advantages: There's an opportunity to re-connect with people you already know as well as meet new people. These are an excellent forum for people who are comfortable meeting complete strangers and can easily start conversations. And it's easy to leave conversations that don't appear to be going anywhere.
Disadvantages: It is very difficult to have a long, detailed conversation. You have to rely on small-talk to get the conversation going, which can...