go at one of the shows that is closed to the public like phoenix forum, miami internext, cybernet expo - NOT Las Vegas. in this case you know that everyone in the hotel is in the biz. then go to the hotel bar and order the next best person a beer and go from there - lol. worked for me ;)
and: check the "roll-call" threads on here before the show and try to remember some names/faces. "Hey, are you XXXXXXX from GFY" works also quite well for a first introduction. and usually your first contact will introduce you very quickly to more people... and the rest is a breeze.
