Think about it: If you were sending an email to a bunch of people and then remembered it should also go to the CEO, would you enter in the CEO's address at the end of the "To" list? No way.
Networking Isn't about Meeting People - It's about Helping People
Something about the networking event image causes many young professionals to confuse networking with just plain old conversation. When you meet anyone whom you think will somehow be a valuable person to know down the road, don’t settle for small talk. Try to instead approach meeting someone as an opportunity to find a way to help them with something...