I saw your tweet about less sessions and more people - that's exactly what I was thinking at SXSW - here's what I wrote down. 

* You should think of an event like a magnet for good people. You can meet most of the important people in an industry in a single day . In a single day you can catch up with people it would usually take weeks or months to organise. 

* The content is already online or in a book. Go to the event to hear the subtleties of how it is presented, and to see who else is attracted to the area. 

* If you want to actually meet a speaker, talk to them 20 minutes before their session - because you know they will be swamped afterwards. 

* Particularly if it is a large event, don't schedule something into every block. Pick the two or three people whose talks you want to see that day, then fill the rest with the most interesting nearby room you can find. You don't want to be running around all day missing things, so don't set yourself up for it. 

* Keep a list of the ad hoc meetups and parties that happen outside the schedule. You might even run one yourself - it is a good excuse to get some interesting people together for a simple drink or meal. 

* Know why you are there. Is it to meet somebody? To get the word out about something you are doing? To have a fun few days? Whatever it is, keep this in mind each morning as you start the day.

What is your personal strategy in utilizing conferences?