Types of things to ask at a Networking Event?

[Jeffry]

In 2 days, I will be attending a business networking event. I want to get as much information that I can about the business world as well as some advice and tips.
What type of questions should I ask? What should I look for?
Any tips in general for networking events?
I am 17 years old and the first time I attended one everybody was impressed as I am still fairly young and running my own business. However, I didn't really know what to ask so this time I'd like to go prepared. My company is a clothing company and it is ran with 2 other friends of mine.

[Donald]

Real networking events aren't designed to teach you about the business world or even give you advice and tips. There are groups for that, but they're not primarily networking.

Networking events are to build your network. That means making sure others know what you can offer them, and listening to others to see what they can offer you. What's their ideal lead? Who is your ideal lead? That sort of thing.

Tip: Brush up on your "elevator speech." That's a brief (30-60 second) statement of who you are, what services you provide, how you can assist/help others there, and so on.

Even most people at networking events don't understand their real purpose. Instead, many just see it as a selling opportunity. And many such events will have a Mary Kay representative, someone selling some overpriced tropical juice, a salesman for telephone systems, a Realtor, an accountant, an insurance salesperson, a rep from a local printer, and so on. And 90% of them will be trying to sell cosmetics, juice, a phone system, a house, tax services, life insurance, or business card printing to the others in the room. And 100% of those efforts will fail.

You're there to make contacts, to extend your network. If you need an accountant or life insurance, fine. But the real idea is for other people to refer leads to you, and for you to refer leads to them. That's the goal.

Bring plenty of business cards. You'll throw one at anything that moves. It probably won't do much good, but it's like proof that you belong there. Nothing screams "newbie" worse than showing up at a networking event and saying that you don't have any cards yet. Don't be that person.

Hope that helps.