No one owns a rolodex anymore and as soon as you add them to your phone, the card's useless. So don't feel bad. You'll feel worse if you forget who they are after a few more cocktails and a long night of networking.

Pro tip: You'll want to carry a thin permanent marker for this. Many people have coated card stock that makes it difficult to deface their perfect self-promoting masterpieces.

4. Sneak away to check your phone

It's easy to get caught up in all the excitement happening in front of you at big events, but do not completely ignore your phone. Timeliness is essential for social media, so waiting until after the event is over can be fatal for budding followers.

Don’t be rude or antisocial when you're on the conference floor, but make sure to sneak away to the bathroom or outside to check your phone every hour. Follow people back, like or comment on their posts and give some social love to people posting with the event hashtag. I promise people will notice!

5. Whisper names as you walk

I know this sounds creepy but if done subtly, it's very effective. Body memory is powerful! As you walk away from a conversation, imagine your new friend's face and say their name in your head (or very quietly to yourself) for the next 10 steps you take. Just make sure you don't get caught talking to yourself!

6. Burn your editorial calendar

Scheduling is essential for social media, but cancel all of your pre-written posts on the day of events. This is your chance to look like an actual human and be spontaneous! Work with what’s in front of you. (Just make sure to spell check!)

When you schedule during events, it is so easy to accidentally post something in bad taste. Plus, there’s nothing worse than undermining your awesome real-time post with some canned article you planned weeks ago posted immediately after.

7. Work every food, drink and bathroom lineup

In our phone-based, anti-social world we've trained ourselves to turn off our brains and stare into our devices in lineups. Instead, look up and smile! Speak to the person in front of you or behind you. Even just asking what they're thinking of ordering or where they're off to next is a great way to spark a conversation.

Some of the biggest connections I've ever made were waiting in line. Whether you're a CEO, celebrity or humble commoner, everyone has to eat eventually. ;)

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Thanks, Emily, for your great tips.

Every minute is a moment to connect with another person. I'm certain World Peace is right around the corner.

The richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work. Marinate on that for a minute. - Robert T. Kiyosaki