I find the art of networking to be quite exciting and have not only found customers through the years, but some of my networking opportunities have led to a couple contacts becoming lifetime friends.  Many people are shy about networking, but I have found that it helped me tremendously to realize and keep in mind that many of the folks that come to networking opportunities, have little experience with networking and are there having the same fear of walking up to a stranger and starting up a conversation.  When I understand this simple truth, it makes it much easier to mingle and meet people.