Speed dating events becoming less common

[nospam99]

I decided to post this in ISO instead in the coronavirus category because it's really more about people searching for dates/romance having one less mechanism. And this is informational. I suggest it's not productive to discuss whether of not this is caused by the pandemic.

Pre-Dating Speed Dating is the name of the business that scheduled the four speed dating events that I attended. The business operates across the United States and Canada. They are dependent on local coordinators to run the events. These coordinators apparently have an independent contractor relationship with the business. In mine and other nearby areas, the business is not scheduling events. Since hundreds of people have signed up to requests events, the business is trying to hire coordinators. Up until recently, there was typically at least one event each month on average in my area. Most events were specified for the 30-49 and 40-59 demographics.

Edited April 25, 2020 by nospam99

[basil67]

If the business is unable to hire enough coordinators, how about you put your hand up and have a turn when this is all over?   Could be a great way to meet more people. 

[Ellener]

I've never been to one but I probably would now I'm confident about dating again. Maybe in the fall when it cools down here and actual dating is more fun to be outside.

[dangerous]

Speed dating events and companies have died in the UK too in recent years. Internet dating was the death for them, but I personally think they have an appeal. I guess the main obstacle is that there is a stigma about attending them. For example when a speed date event is posted, a potential guest will want to look at the attendance list, but that will be confidential or no-one willing to sign up and show themselves to the world as attending. This in turn puts off new attendees. But overall its a good idea, just need to come up with a formula that works for the marketing.

PS: I went on one speed dating event years ago and enjoyed it. I did notice however that in order to ensure there was an even mix of the sexes, the organisers introduced some "plants" (friends of theirs to make up the numbers, who clearly were not genuinely single!)

[Ellener]

1 hour ago, dangerous said:

the organisers introduced some "plants"

That would definitely be offputting. Like the fake profiles on OLD. 

[Happy Lemming]

11 hours ago, basil67 said:

If the business is unable to hire enough coordinators, how about you put your hand up and have a turn when this is all over?   Could be a great way to meet more people. 

I second this suggestion!!

[d0nnivain]

NoSpam99

I expect events will be scheduled again when NY reopens. 

[nospam99]

@basil and HL. Thanks for the thought. But I had plenty enough friendly chats with the 'old coordinator' to have a good sense of what that 'job' is like. Too much work and not enough profit for me. Plus not as good a way to meet people, especially age appropriate people, as my hiking meetups are.

@d0nni. Yes, good chance of that. But like so many things that may be part of 'the new normal', only time will tell.

For now this topic remains an observation that a particular In Search Of means has become unavailable in many areas. Curious readers may refer to the Pre-Dating web site to see which of the dozens of locations are still scheduling events as opposed to trying to recruit coordinators.

[basil67]

I guess that if the coordinator job is hard work and low pay, it's perfectly understandable that there are no longer any services in your area.   C'est la vie