If the relationship matters and you're seeking a high "conversion rate" for attracting attention from the Linkerati, use Scenario 2. The beauty of these links is that they not only create value for SEO taiwan email list , but often attract second-order effects like increased brand awareness, links/tweets from the followers & fans of the Linkerati, and improved odds that you'll be positively remembered and introduced when someone mentions they need "X" (whatever it is your product/tool/site/idea does). In-person connections have always been powerful attractors of value for me in the SEO, social media and startup worlds and when I see early stage (and mature, later-stage companies) engage in this fashion, it's almost always positive.
Just make sure you're professional, candid, friendly and never over-bearing in your interactions; chances are you'll get much more than a link. I'm reporting live from Pubcon Las Vegas this week, along with some of the SEOmoz team. To be honest, we've struggled a bit with how to cover the conference here on the blog. As someone who only hits a couple of conferences per year, I know how annoying it can be to have to hear how great an event is that you already regret not being able to go to.