Struggling to form a group at ICLR. How do you actually break into conversations?[D]

I’m at ICLR and I’m realizing a different problem than the usual “how to network.”

I see groups forming naturally, people chatting, moving together even at airport . I end up standing nearby but can’t get myself to even say a simple hi. It feels like everyone already belongs somewhere and I would be interrupting.

For context, I’m a PhD student interested in industry roles. I do have a list of posters and people I want to talk to, but the actual moment of approaching them or joining a group is where I get stuck.

I’m not looking for generic advice like “just be confident.” I want concrete, simple tactics that actually work in a conference setting, especially when you are starting from zero social momentum.