Finding a job at GDC as an experienced software eng?

I’m a software eng with 5 YOE working on a VR and mobile social app for an unnamed megacorp who was recently laid off. I had already booked my first GDC trip (I had hoped to self-produce small games at some later date once I was more financially stable, the layoff is pushing that back though). The job market and search is rough and I am now trying to pivot to using this trip to help me get back to being gainfully employed.

I’ve seen plenty of posts and resources about how to go about making connections and potentially finding a job as a current indie dev or recent graduate. I’ve also seen plenty of posts about finding publishers if you have a game. I haven’t seen any that mirror my circumstances though. My goal is it make the inroads I need to to get an interview with ANY game/software/hardware company that would let me work remote and give me health insurance, at this point I’m not super picky. Would love to work on games but am just as happy working on something in the background (engines, storefront, support tools).

My hastily made plan (so far) is to print business cards w a summary of my experience on one side and a QR code to my full resume on the back. I then spend almost all of my time there attending social functions and getting to meet folks. If any of these conversations go well I ask if their company is hiring and if so drop a card then stop making the pitch so folks don’t think that’s the only reason I’m talking to them. Als making a round in the expo hall asking the companies if they are hiring and dropping my cards.

My questions to the general Reddit community here are:

1. Is this whole idea of fool‘s errand?

2. If it’s not a fool’s errand, am I missing anything?

3. I know that there are structured social gatherings as part of the GDC, but the vibe I’ve been getting from the various posts about job hunting. Are that the real interactions happen outside of the official GDC events such as the after parties. Is this the case?

Frankly, it sucks that I’m going to be converting this trip that was supposed to be all about learning into a short term hunt for a job, but in my current situation, I can’t afford to lose any opportunity. Take care of my family. Thanks in advance for any advice, encouragement, or constructive discouragement. Sorry if this is a little off topic compare