LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY — An economic development professional attending a statewide conference reception successfully began a slow, deliberate migration across a hotel ballroom Tuesday after identifying a nationally known site selection consultant approximately 70 feet away. “I didn’t want to make it obvious,” said Regional Development Director Megan Foster. “You never want to be the person who sees a site selector and immediately starts walking directly at them.” Foster first spotted the consultant near the bar shortly after 6:15 p.m. At the time, she was engaged in a conversation with two utility representatives and a workforce partner. “I stayed present,” Foster said. “But mentally, yes, I had already mapped the room.” Rather than approaching directly, Foster began a series of small positional adjustments designed to appear natural. She first moved six feet toward a nearby appetizer station. Then 12 feet toward a group of colleagues she recognized. She later crossed another section of the ballroom under the pretense of needing a drink refill. “At no point did I want it to look like I was tracking him,” Foster said. Other attendees appeared to be employing similar strategies. By 6:24 p.m., at least four economic developers had gradually repositioned themselves within what Foster described as “reasonable conversational range.” One pretended to examine a sponsor display. Another joined a conversation with someone he had met earlier that afternoon. A third simply stood nearby holding a napkin. “You start to notice the orbit,” Foster said. The consultant remained unaware. Conference veterans said the approach requires patience. “If you go straight in, it can feel transactional,” said economic development consultant David Mercer. “The key is to somehow end up next to them while appearing surprised that you’re both standing there.” Foster’s first major breakthrough came when a mutual acquaintance entered the area. “That changed everything,” she said. Within minutes, Foster had positioned herself close enough to be included in a larger group conversation. She did not immediately introduce herself. “You have to let the moment develop,” she said. The group discussed conference sessions, airport delays, college football and a restaurant several attendees had visited the night before. After approximately seven minutes, someone finally said, “Have you two met?” Foster described the moment as ideal. “That’s what you’re waiting for,” she said. She introduced herself, mentioned her region, briefly referenced a new industrial site and successfully avoided launching into a full community pitch. The interaction lasted approximately four minutes. Foster considered it a strong result. “We had a real conversation,” she said. “I didn’t hand him anything.” She later entered a note in her CRM describing the encounter as “meaningful relationship building.” The site selector likely entered no note at all. Foster said she may follow up by email later in the week, assuming she can think of a reason better than “we stood near each other at a reception.” At press time, another site selector had entered the ballroom. Three economic developers near the dessert table immediately began drifting left.