Easy.
- Say hello,
- ask their name,
- repeat their name,
- ask the origin and/or history of their name,
- ask for the spelling of their name if it is unique or if they have an accent or it’s loud and you can’t hear them,
- then pay them a sincere compliment.
If you’re at a work function ask them “when you’re not working, what do you do for fun?”
If you’re at a non-work function ask them “when you’re not working, what do you do for fun?”
Once you get through that you’ll be well on your way to having a great conversation.