What Does It Take to Get Value from a Business Network Event?

I loved Carol Hymowitz's column in today's Wall Street Journal titled, "Networking with CEO's and other VIP's Takes Homework, Confidence" for 3 reasons:

1. It highlights the nature of networking as relationship building, rather than a "quick sale"
   
2. It points out the critical importance of intention as it contributes to networking success: knowing who you want to network with and what you have to offer (i.e. what's in it for the other guy/gal)
   
3. It illustrates how to get a return on the investment of an elite conference investment through new ideas, strategies, and trends.
   

Now, I haven't been to Davos for the World Economic Forum and chances are good that you haven't either, but the lessons that these participants share are applicable to any business networking situation, even those that cost less than $37,000 to participate.

What else have you found to be key to getting the most from a business networking event?