Speed Dating

Can’t see spending an entire dinner or movie with someone that isn’t a match? Speed dating was designed to create mini-dates, giving singles several chances for a match in one night.

Pre-dating (www.cupid.com) has expanded to South Jersey with speed dating that caters to single professionals. “This is a great way for singles to participate in up to 16 dates in one event,” said corporate trainer Sundrea Ryan. “I met my boyfriend at an event and we are now planning to be married.”

Pre-dating organizes monthly speed dating events in more than 85 cities across the United States. Depending on the group size, 12 to 16 tables are set up with the men rotating every six minutes to the next table and date. Each member fills out a match sheet based on their conversations during the dates and at the end of the event each single is given a list of matches.

“Cupid.com is excited be returning to the South Jersey area and we look forward to matching singles in the area,” said Lorraine Orosz, Southern New Jersey event coordinator.

A pre-Valentine event is scheduled at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6 at 10 West Bar and Lounge in Galloway. This will be one of 85 countrywide meetings that night in an attempt to become the largest simultaneous speed-dating event. The cost is $30 and includes admission to the event plus a 30-day membership to Cupid.com. For more information, or to sign up, visit www.cupid.com/predating or call Lorraine at 732-841-3045.

Those in their 40s and 50s can try the Jewish Community Center (JCC) speed dating on Wednesday, February 7. Singles will have several 10-minute dates along with a wine and cheese reception. The evening continues with a mingle session and program and every participant leaves with a list of “matches” from the night’s dates.

JCC speed dating is an exciting, quick and pressure-free evening for daters. Held at the Jewish Community Center in Margate, the event begins at 7 p.m. Participation is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Prior registration is required. For more information, contact Josh Cutler at 609-822-1187 ext 38 or visit www.jccatlantic.org

Dating Services

 Looking to meet people and promote your business? The Atlantic City Singles Networking Group does both with its combination of a social and professional group. Geared for a 36-to-60-year-old age range, AC Singles Network offers monthly social events for business people of all types.

Socials include free appetizers, an ice-breaker activity and door prizes. Each event brings in 50-70 people and approximately one third are casino employees ranging from slot technicians to executives.

Events are held from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, with the location and theme changing for every event. This month, the AC Singles Network Group social will be held on February 7 at the House of Blues Foundation Room. The theme is Ravishing in Red with all participants wearing their most radiant red apparel. All are welcome. The fee is $20 at the door; $10 for members.

“With upscale venues, it is business-oriented yet social and each time the event changes so it remains interesting with different games and themes,” said Riana Milne, owner of AC Singles Networking Group.

Since its introduction in May 2006, there have been 10 success stories and countless professional contacts have been made. To sign up or for more information about Atlantic City Singles Networking Group, contact Riana Milne at acsinglesnetwork@aol.com

Lock and Key introduces a more outgoing approach to making a match with a party atmosphere at game-like events.

“Lock and Key events are a great alternative to the club scene and traditional socials since the fun and unique ice-breaker format ensures you meet tons of new people,” said Darren Waldholz, owner of Lock and Key Events. “We take a regular happy hour and mix in the ultimate ice-breaker.”

Offering a different feel from formal speed dating, at Lock and Key events women are given locks while the men have the keys. The goal is to walk around and find a fit. Each key matches three locks and vice versa. With more than 100 members at each event there are dozens of match opportunities. Every time a match is made and the set is unlocked, members get a raffle ticket entering them to collect door prizes including hotel stays, dinners, entertainment tickets and even cash.

“It was so easy to strike up conversations and make small talk with so many women—much better than the typical nightclub,” said Jim, a Philadelphia participant. “The price was right, the people were friendly and the women were attractive. I am looking forward to the next one.”

The cost is $25 per event, but discounts are offered through the website www.lockandkeyevents.com. Plans for events in the Atlantic City area are currently under way.

Created in 1992 and now with more than 90 locations worldwide, It’s Just Lunch (www.itsjustlunch.com) offers clients a proactive approach to casual dating. Located in Marlton, New Jersey, the company is a specialized dating service for busy professionals. With 30,000 members worldwide, approximately 95 percent of its clients are college graduates and 80 percent have post-graduate degrees.

The process begins with an one-hour interview to find what a person is looking for, his or her own interests and what has and has not succeeded in past relationships. This information is then used to pair clients based on personality and physical requirements.

It’s Just Lunch staffers arrange everything from casual meetings between individuals for a simple lunch or drinks after work. The client’s only job is to show up for the date and call the service with post-date feedback. Over the past 15 years, It’s Just Lunch has arranged more than 2 million first dates and is responsible for thousands of marriages.

The Online Scene

With millions of people searching the internet daily it is only inevitable there are website networks available to assist in finding the perfect partner. From Yahoo personals to Myspace, there are hundreds of sites designed to connect people together. Online sites allow singles to break the ice before making the jump of meeting in person. The following national dating sites have strong Atlantic County memberships and love-match success.

eHarmony (www.eharmony.com) was founded by relationship expert Dr. Neil Clark Warren using scientific research to pair singles together. Clients complete a 436-question relationship questionnaire that is then used for a 29-point Dimensions of Compatibility Matching System. The system matches singles that share compatibility, using important life traits including values, character, intellect, sense of humor, spiritual views and passion.

According to the fall 2005 Harris Interactive study, “90 eHarmony members get married every day.”

The “World’s Largest Online Dating Service,” Match (www.match.com) brought love to more than 400,000 singles in 2006. Clients simply browse the site’s database describing the type of person they are interested in meeting.

Spanning across six continents, 32 countries and in 18 languages, Match.com searches can be narrowed by geographic region, age, ethnicity and interests. Members fill out a free personal profile including up to 26 photographs enabling other members to find them online. Match.com has found that members with photographs are 15 times more likely to get responses. Upon subscribing for a fee, clients can send up to 50 e-mails daily to potential love interests.

Let’s face it, a physical attraction is important in every relationship and the internet site Hot or Not (www.meetme.hotornot.com) nails that issue right on the head. The website allows visitors to choose “Hot” or “Not” for each member and even rate them based on a 1-10 scale. Not a sophisticated matching method, the site is run by two guys in their apartment.

The site is similar to other services by narrowing searches by age, location and keyword. Under the user’s picture is a brief description along with keywords that portray them. Members can then vote whether they would like to meet this person. A match is made when both members click “Yes” on each other’s pictures. Since its launch in 2000, the site has counted over 12 billion votes and numerous happy relationships.

Below are five relationship tips to make the dating experience a little easier

1. Be yourself. Don’t stretch the truth to impress your date because sooner or later the real you is going to come out. Relationships should be based on trust.

2. Conversation is key. Speak clearly and don't mumble. Ask questions and try not to talk about yourself too much. Be a good listener.

3. Never bring up old relationships on a first date. Keep your relationship past to a minimum; talking about your ex is the first step to have your date looking for the exit.

4. Never answer your cell phone on a date. Keep your cell on silent. You have set this time aside to get to know another person, so do it without interruptions.

5. Don’t play games. If you say you are going to call, call. Follow your instincts, not “rules,” when it comes to the relationship.

By Beth Joseph

Beth Joseph is associate editor of Casino Connection magazine.

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