The challenge with most organized "Networking Events" is that many people are only interested in themselves. Many attendees want to sell something without being interested in you or your needs. It's easy to spot these people because they usually talk a lot about themselves and whatever they have to offer. Another trademark seems to be the number of businesscards that are exchanged, the more the better. After a meeting like this you can add some contacts to linkedin, and then what? Is it really a surprise that for a good number of attendees these "Networking Events" do not bring the expected results?
Be open when you go to these events and expect a "give and take" (in this sequence). Go only to the events that really interest you and where you expect to meet interesting people.
For sales people this is obviously a different game but for all other occassional Networkers this is something to keep in mind.
