Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context idiomatic of a host, hostess, or guest English) To interact enthusiastically with the attendees at an event, by moving among them, greeting them, and engaging them in conversation. 2 (context idiomatic of a performer or public speaker English) To interact with one's audience, taking cues from its reactions and adapting one's performance or words to elicit the audience's attention and enthusiasm.
Usage examples of "work the room".
Besides, our business is to work the room to get financing and distribution for our next project at the convention center at the other end of town.
He was working with strobe lights for highspeed photography, and I rigged a little switch to work the room lights off the strobe.
It was a huge job to work the room preservation spell over the mouth of the underground water hole, and took her quite some time, but she made it doubly strong and extra tight, blue bands forming a virtual net over the opening.