It comes down to two things:

1: Pick your networking events carefully 2: Get good at walking away from clowns 3: Learn to work the room.

I can't emphasize the comment about clowns highly enough. These are the people who give you a good chuckle when their back is turned. Sometimes all you need to say is something like, "well, I need to meet a few more people, good luck on XYZ," smile, and go to the next guy.