My goals would be to meet some amazing people and absorb as much info as possible. Is this realistic at all?
It is realistic if you know when to be there.
The best time to socialize with the most people is the day before the show (Friday). People roll in between 1PM - 5AM the next morning but most get there in the evening to bring in animals and set them up for the night (and do what setup they can if the person with the lights/cages is not there yet).
The reason this is the best time is that nobody is in a hurry and you can have meaningful conversations with everyone. Also, they are "fresh" and want to show off what they have, talk about the trip, etc. They will love you to death if you help them set up and also remember who you are. Make a point to do this if you can, it will be the most rewarding and you will learn a lot.
From the time people wake up Saturday (~5-6AM) it is go time. Some people will talk to you while grooming (others grunt something about coffee) but there is a serious focus in the room to get everything set up, chins in the cages, pee paper cleaned up final groom/shake out and paperwork in. Regardless of how much you prep ahead of time that 2-4hrs in the morning flies by. Also, people sit spread out so the fur of their animal doesn't drift onto others (though there is usually a loose cluster around each garbage can).
Once the show starts it's many hours of mostly silent waiting. Boring as all getout if you don't have animals in the show IMO, but educational if you haven't seen it before. There is a break for lunch, if it is catered this is a good time to talk because people will settle in a big group in the chairs. Most often people run out to eat in ones and twos so they can get back and get with it.
Standard show will wind down between 4-6PM. By now everyone has established social groups and jet off to the bar/meal/rooms/shower/whatever and are pretty pooped. If you drink this is a good time to get to know the Neaubaer's and some of the other old timers because they like to hang out at the bar (or bring their own alcohol and meet in a room).
Rinse and repeat for Sunday, except the banquet is afterwards. People start leaving immediately after the show so don't always stay for this and often you can only talk to the people sitting at the table with you. If it is a round table that is awesome, but if it is a long skinny one you are kind of limited to the 6 or so people around you. By now everyone is mentally and physically pooped and hungry and they will be presenting the awards throughout so while there is a lot of chatter it's not usually about chinchillas. This is often where you get past stories and such.
Also, on the first day during setup walk around and pick out animals you think will win or look amazing and write down the number. Find the breeder and ask them about that animal and what makes it amazing, who they think will do well, etc. You will get a load of knowledge by doing this and breeders can not resist talking about their animals!
Sometimes there is a competition to pick the best animal and best pelt. That is fun to do too.
Edited to add that
everyone is amazing. Teamwork is really what puts these shows on in such a short time.
