The city is desperate for more units here. 

Right now investors are desperate for properties.

Not saying there aren't exceptions but just generally most sellers in this market aren't that desperate.

They are educated sellers and are not desperate to sell the properties. 

most of the calls recieved were either from people who were not interested, or their homes had too much of a mortgage on it or just not desperate enough to sell... 

The cheaper the better, the more desperate the better.

As someone who is interested in Wholesaling real estate, what should I bring with me to this REI Networking event, what questions should I ask and how do I present value so as not to come off as needy and desperate?

No problem :)  I'm not saying you should get desperate and just start jettisoning everything overboard ala the Titanic, but you need to consider everything in the grand scheme of things.

Specifically, you are delegating the responsibility for finding your opportunities to others and feeling a bit desperate, I believe.Solution - Part 1: You MUST take the responsibility for acquisition marketing yourself, at least for now.Solution - Part 2: Take Monday off and get away to do some power thinking as to where you'll learn how to market.

I feel the seller would have to be desperate to dish out cash to sell their home. can you lend some further insight?