Networking, not Promoting.
Going to an event and passing out business cards like its Halloween candy is promoting. And you’re the only one getting tricked. Going to a networking event with the intent of meeting interesting people who you can form an alliance with later on is networking.
A quick way to determine if you want this person in your networking alliance is ask yourself “Do I like them”. If not, maybe its time to move on. Business is hard enough without working with jerks. Find a like-minded person.