The language here of "working on a room" is a little bit unnerving, but he's right. If you want to meet new people and have interesting conversations, I've had similar experiences like this which I've enjoyed.
Furthermore, interrupting a conversation at an event like the one he describes with the question, "so what are we talking about?" after you've gotten their attention is a good way to find something to talk about, too, which isn't just the standard, "so what do you do?"
To me it's too close to reality, working a room to me can only refer to my observation that it's about trying to work each person over in most situations, which I'm sure has more direct negative connotations. Then the icing on the cake, "you can too!"...
I would be more interested in a conversation about the unintended impacts of becoming better at self promotion.
Furthermore, interrupting a conversation at an event like the one he describes with the question, "so what are we talking about?" after you've gotten their attention is a good way to find something to talk about, too, which isn't just the standard, "so what do you do?"