If you’re attending an event with the intention to meet new people to add to your network, and your time is probably well spent. Adding new connections to your network can help revitalize it and potentially add new opportunities.
If you’re going with the intent of meeting up with old friends and acquaintances there’s probably good value in doing so as well as they can update you in what’s happening in their business which could impact yours. Old connections can also be a good source of introductions to people they know at the event that could possibly benefit you.
There is an old saying that goes “if you are not networking… You are not working!”
While networking can be fun or stressful, depending on your perspective, it is still work.
As originally answered on Quora.com.