You've just set out how to network. Well done. Networking is NOT about cold-calling or asking complete strangers for a favour! It's about using people you KNOW and LIKE to connect you with people THEY know and like. In other words, helping the recruiter find someone for the job who someone else has said is good at it. These people do not need to be work colleagues - they can be friends, sports team mates, even online chatting interactions. I'm FAR more likely to hire someone for a job if someone I know says "you really should interview Fred, because I know he's a good bloke. Sure, I never worked with him, but he always turned up to soccer practise on time (reliable); he helped out the new guy who didn't know the ropes (can coach juniors) and he was great that time when we needed to raise money for the team to take the bus to Paris (capable of marketing)".
So all the going to functions is actually about making friends, who will then vouch for you. Not about cold calling. And that's why I often recommend things like Meetup for networking - because you meet a wider range of people, get to know them, and THEN you can ask for their help.