Organise a speed dating event: all the key elements for success

Organise a speed dating event: all the key elements for success

Meeting your soulmate is becoming increasingly difficult today if you don’t want to rely on online apps. Whether you’re looking for a lifelong partner, a one-night fling, or simply want to enjoy a good time in great company while testing your flirting skills, speed dating is the perfect solution for you.

But how do you organise a successful speed dating event that is safe, enjoyable, and attracts plenty of participants? We guide you through it in this article.

Summary


    1. What is speed dating ?

    Popularised in the 2000s, speed dating is a fast-paced, organised matchmaking method that allows singles to meet and interact for short periods with the aim of finding a potential future partner. The main goal of speed dating is to enable a large number of people to meet at a single event, in one place, providing the opportunity to interact with several individuals until they find the person they connect with best.

    During a speed dating event, participants are usually divided into men and women, seated at individual tables. Each meeting typically lasts between 3 and 10 minutes, depending on the event’s structure. During this brief interaction, participants introduce themselves, chat, and get to know each other to see if they have common interests and wish to continue the conversation.

    At the end of each meeting, a sound signal indicates that it’s time to move on to the next encounter. At the end of the event, participants can indicate whom they would like to see again. If two people express mutual interest, the organisers facilitate the exchange of contact details for a potential follow-up. Simple, right?

    2. Choosing the right venue for speed dating

    When organising a speed dating event, it is crucial to choose a suitable venue that is easily accessible for participants. Opt for a relatively busy location, close to public transport, and with ample parking. Ensure that the venue can comfortably accommodate all attendees and provides tables, chairs, and a bar for refreshments. You can even book and privatise a bar or restaurant to host your event in a more exclusive setting.

    3. Participant registration

    Make the registration process easy by providing an online form on your website or creating a dedicated online ticketing system. Ask participants to share relevant information so you can segment them based on their profiles, motivations, interests, and dating goals. This could include:

    • Age
    • Interests and dating preferences
    • Occupation
    • Time spent being single
    • Objectives after the speed dating event
    • Availability
    • Contact details (phone, email, etc.)

    At the same time, take the opportunity to inform participants about the event’s rules and expectations so they feel prepared and comfortable on the night.

    4. Promoting the event

    Once everything is set, it’s time to promote your speed dating event to attract as many participants as possible. Like any event, leverage social media to create event pages and advertisements weeks in advance. Also, create a dedicated page on your website, including all key event details such as date, time, venue, and registration process.

    5. Running the event smoothly

    During the speed dating event, ensure you have a clear and well-timed rotation system. Set a fixed time for each meeting, such as 5 or 10 minutes, and use a bell to signal when it’s time to switch. Make sure every participant has the chance to meet all the others, avoiding duplicates.

    Similarly, create a warm and relaxed atmosphere by choosing a comfortable space with background music (jazz, pop, etc.). Arrange tables in a way that makes it easy for participants to move around and engage in conversation.

    For added enjoyment, you could offer each participant a free welcome drink via redeemable coupons at the bar.This will help them feel more at ease during their first conversation while also encouraging additional drink sales for the venue.

    6. Following up and wrapping up the event

    Once the speed dating event is over, it’s important for organisers to follow up with participants. Do this not only immediately after the event to gather instant feedback but also a few days later. Send a thank-you email for their participation and ask for feedback on the event (atmosphere, people they met, whether they found a match, suggestions for improvement, etc.).

    Encourage participants to share their experience on social media using the event’s hashtag. This will boost your visibility and attract new attendees for future events.


    Weezevent’s solutions are perfectly suited for organising a speed dating event, providing a comprehensive platform for managing registrations, ticket sales, and access control.

    Find out more

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