Who to Look Out for at Networking Events

PR Daily, one of my favorite sites for all kinds of PR News, recently posted an article by Mickie Kennedy titled "The Six People you Meet in Networking Hell." Networking events are super beneficial to attend if you know how to network the "right" way. [Check out my article where I discuss that!] Having been to quite a few networking events, I can certainly relate to Mickie Kennedy's list of these six people you want to avoid. Take note on how to not become these people either!

1. Barbie and/or Ken. These are the people that are WAY too done up to have simply "stopped by" the networking event during their lunch break or after work. They want to be there so you can look at them and/or idolize them.
2. The leech. This person isn't necessarily shy, they are just uncomfortable going up to other people and striking up a conversation, so they latch on to someone else and follow them around the whole night. 
3. The overly important guy/girl. He/she feels out of place and will make sure everyone else knows it. Don't even bother giving him/her your business card because he has about 5 million that he/she never looks at.
4. The newbie. Everyone is a newbie at one time, but it's how you handle it that matters. No one will know it's your first time at a networking event, unless of course you talk about how it is all night long. Just act the part and follow everyone else's lead!
5. The overly ambitious. This person gets a bad rap because he or she makes it a point to shake everyone's hands and exchange business cards with every person there, but they ARE ambitious and probably get stuff done. They may be a great contact so don't hesitate to talk to him or her.
6. The drunk. Thanks to the supply of alcohol at these events, there's always someone who drinks a little too much. Fun to watch, but not fun to get suckered into conversation with.