How do I be involved with IT events and conferences? How do I keep up with IT news? How do I make connections?

Hi everyone! I know I'm asking 3 questions at once which is quite overwhelming, but I really want to know how to become more involved with the IT industry. Can you help me out and give me advice on how you keep up-to-date with IT news and more about the industry? When I mean IT I'm referring to anything related with web, programming, and so on etc.

I want to be involved with IT events and conferences and see people talking about IT, not only do I want to meet new people, I also want to create a network as well as making connections with people, I plan on being a freelancer so being up-to-date is very important as well as knowing people (clients). To be quite honest I don't know many people and have few friends and family, which is why I want to be involved a lot more.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I heard WordPress hosts events around the world that only do conferences about WordPress? That's 1 event I can be involved with correct?

I have been using all of Treehouse's bonus content e.g. watching the Treehouse show, Treehouse friends, Treehouse blog and so on. Its helping a lot but I'm looking to improve a lot more. As I said before I want be more active and involved overall.

I would really appreciate if anyone here can give me advice or to share your thoughts! Thank you!