First of all try to make a target profile of your potential customers. The profile should consist of both demographic and psychographic attributes. Demographics describe the common characteristics of the target audience of a particular market segment, such as age and income of decision makers. Psychographics are the attitudinal traits people exhibit in their approach to life.

Once you know who may be your potential client in New York try to do a research and find a list of 80-100 companies. Your research should contain contact information of all decision makers including their LinkedIn profiles. Before connecting with them make sure you change your LinkedIn custom invitation text and write your reasons for connecting. According to my experience once this step is done correctly the chance to connect and network even with some of the internationally famous company managers becomes very easy! In addition to this LinkedIn strategy you may consider also using their inMail services or joining to the appropriate networking groups.

Meetup.com is also good place to attend to some events, alternatively you can check eventtribe.com (these guys are quickly dominating the market for free events), Plancast and some of the local New York based event websites.

My best advice for connecting with IT clients anyway remains LinkedIn and Twitter. During my role as a an inside sales manager at international IT company LinkedIn took 12% of our lead generation sources. Currently as a CEO of Armenia based digital agency it takes 35% in our lead generation sources and we managed to work with some of the big insurance, software and investment companies from North American and Europe.

Please don't hesitate to reach me out if you need any detailed case studies or help how to conduct your research or do the appointments on your behalf.