What's on Tap? An International Schmoozefest!

I have something brand new on my agenda for early February: Kidscreen.

I expect it to be insane.

Kidscreen is basically a kids' TV frenzy, filled with television creators/producers and buyers from all over the world.  I've never been, though a couple years ago I coincidentally was in NYC at the same time, and met up with some friends who were attending the conference.  I remember a schmoozetastic wonderland — the lobby of the sponsor hotel teemed with people looking very Hollywood and "taking meetings."  I even took a few myself; it seemed like the thing to do.

This year, I'm going because I'm developing a show for someone who'd like me to join her at the conference and help her pitch it.  I'm all over that — should be a lot of fun, especially since pretty much every exec, producer, and agent I've ever met will be there.

The awesome side of that is I'm sure I'll never be more than two seconds away from a friendly face with whom I'm excited to re-connect.

The stressful side is that my brain is a bit of a sieve, which means I'm all but guaranteed to completely blank when I see the face of someone I should totally know.  That moment will be followed by several waves of self-loathing, during which I smack myself for being so hideously bad at the networking thing.

If I were Hermione Granger, I'd make flash cards.

Of course, if I were Hermione Granger, I'd remember everything I'd ever seen or read, so it wouldn't be an issue.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes.  And on the off chance you're going to be there, let me know… and maybe send me a flash card of yourself so I can start studying now.

Now to turn it to you.  Do you ever go to networking-type conventions in your field?  If so, what do you like and dislike about them, and what have you done to get the most out of them (ideally while having a good time)?