Networking for Diversity/Women Events & Internships?

when applying for diversity/women events and internships offered by BBs and EBs (i.e RBC's Women Advisory or Guggenheim Sophomore), do you have to network beforehand? if so, how do you go about doing so--do you just reach out to past participants that you find from Linkedin? Or does connecting with any individual that works at those firms good? 

thanks!