So, i'd be looking for networking events that are partnership-promoting while keeping my nose out for bs-smelling things :) 

You hit it right on the nose regarding six months ago.

I  highly recommend you download some of the resources under TOOLS and FILEPLACE ....From Spreadsheets to free books....It will feel like taking a sip of info from a fire-hose....knowledge and wisdom will come running out your nose.... :-)

To explain those would be more of a blog or article than a discussion.The discussion I wanted to begin was what those thought of Venture Capital being afraid of or turning their nose up to a CF IPO.  

We live in Grande Prairie AB which is very reliant on oil and the market has taken a big nose dive in the last year. 

Property is not zoned Commercial (zoned for a mulli family resiential) so knowing this, trying to keep my Nose clean w the city!

I follow up those visits with emails to the managing broker outlining the benefits of the service and asking for an in-person meeting.Craigslist - I can work with agent in any market, so I've started putting up postings in the "real estate services" ads in other cities (though CL seems pretty hard-nosed about multiple postings!)

He looks into your eyes and ears, and up your nose with a little flashlight.

In the meantime, my currency took a nose dive losing 5% to the USD in that space of time. 

I've been nose-deep in them, in lots of markets, for about 4 years.