Good points not only for MVP opendays but for all future events you’re going to attend.

Thanks for sharing… :)

First of all – you have all the valid points. What I really mean is that – do not over do it.

In past I felt sometime that few times, few people over did it on this subject. They did not balance it and at the end did not create the eco system and circumstances which you have described.

It is good to introduce ourselves and express our needs, expertise etc but it is not good to try to over influence others. It sometimes back fires.

Just balance everything. If someone is interested the conversation will automatically go in right direction but if other fellow is not interested, trying to work with them is not good idea.

Well, more when we meet :) But again, I am with you on same page.

Kind Regards,
Pinal

On a broader level, I however disagree with this point – “Do not solicit your business at this event. Usually people do not like it. They will reach out to you themselves in need.”

Why not? Infact this is a good occasion to promote yourself or your business. Now I am not sure why have you used the word solicit here, since why would any MVP persuade a fellow MVP for business? MVP’s are a very very selective group of ppl awarded for there excellence in a particular technology/field. So it can be safely assumed that most of them are at a decision taking/influencing level in their company and come with a certain level of maturity. Talking about business/partnerships/promotions is acceptable since fellow MVPs become aware if you promote yourself or yur business. Having said that, this statement of yours holds for events where the audience is from a broader section, say TechEd.

Did you mean to say something else?