I've got a post up on Writer Unboxed today about going to writers' conferences -- inspired, of course, by the writers' conference I just got back from, Muse and the Marketplace. Actually, even if you're not a writer, but you're a little on the shy side, and you go to conferences for work or other purposes, I think the rules still apply. Don't let the fear of walking into a crowd of strangers keep you from going -- once you get there, connecting with others is easier than you might think.
Check the post out at this link: How to Be a Conference Extrovert.