Mass speed dating event hit among singles looking for new friends, rather than true love

Mass speed dating event hit among singles looking for new friends, rather than true love

Nearly 500 singles turned up at the grand ballroom in Orchard Hotel on Sunday for an afternoon of mass speed dating, organised by the Social Development Network (SDN).


Get the full story from The Straits Times.

Here is the press relase in full from the Social Development Network:

The eight-week long Dating Fest 2014, organised by the Social Development Network (SDN), culminated in a finale event, School of Love. Close to 500 singles participated in the mass speed-dating event, which incorporated nostalgic elements of school days such as orientation activities, "class announcements" and "recess time".

Participants at the event learned how to "Be the Right One" and "Choose the Right One", and were given the opportunity to "Meet the Right One".

They were also treated to a day of entertainment and fun with host, Chua Enlai from the successful online reality dating show It's a Date!, as well as a "school production" by comedian Hossan Leong.

An annual initiative by SDN, Dating Fest 2014 comprises a variety of "Dating Deals" events and activities from 20 December 2013 to 8 February 2014, organised by SDNTrust accredited dating agencies which include ActivityPods, A Dance Date, Champagne JSG, CompleteMe, eSynchrony.com, Love Adventures, Love Express Services, Lunch Actually, One Plus One, Singles Mingle and VivaOne LLP.

Besides "Dating Deals" subsidies of up to 50 per cent off events and services, enrichment workshops were also introduced this year. This brings the number of activities to 115 and over 1,400 singles signed up for them.

This was a jump from last year, which saw about 1,000 sign-ups from singles for over 80 dating events and packages across five weeks.

"Increasingly, we have been seeing singles taking the initiative to come forward to make new friends at dating events. In this current climate where careers tend to take first priority, we are heartened to note that people still realise there is a need to put some importance on expanding their social circles and network beyond their workplaces," commented Miss Violet Lim, owner of SDNTrust accredited agency, Lunch Actually.

"Knowing how to be the right one, choosing the right one and meeting the right one can be a challenge sometimes. However, dating events such as School of Love offers an excellent opportunity and platform for singles to learn insightful tips from experts and meet singles alike at the same time," said Miss Choo Yanqing, owner of SDNTrust accredited agency, A Dance Date.

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