[dataminded]

Events are just one of many signals that you can use to start a conversation. Reach out to every interest that is going, or that may want to go and just use the event as a reason to talk. I've landed A LOT of great leads by just reaching out about events that ultimately neither I nor the contact was going to. It was a good enough reason to start a conversation and assess fit/interest.

When you reach out you can position yourself as a thought leader, someone saving them time, etc.