On the afternoon of September 6th, close to 20 older adults and seniors gathered at the Duke of York in Toronto Ontario for the kick off of SilverSparks Speed Dating for 60-75. Participants registered and received a clipboard and name tag before they took their seats at their assigned starting tables. With the instructions provided and with the words “go”, the speed daters began their 6 minute intervals of talk time with their table partners.
The event was a huge success! Both the men and women were undeniably engaged and interested in their “dates.” There was a din of conversation punctuated by periodic laughter as chemistry sparked. With each “ting” of the glass, the men moved from one table to the next, while the women stayed in their assigned place. As the daters met and talked with each other, they were asked to check off a yes or a no as to whether they were interested in their specific date. They were also encouraged to write notes about each man or woman in order to remember some detail after the event was over. After the fifth round of dates, appetizers were served by the terrific staff at the Duke of York (Thanks to Candace, Mark and Jeb).
The results of the event showed that there was definite chemistry amongst the daters. Out of 18 speed daters, 15 got a match—over 80% matching success! Contact information was forwarded to only those that struck a mutual match. The feedback results were all positive and gave high praise for the event itself, venue and many reported that they would attend another event and recommend it to a friend. Also, all the participants filled in the in the Post Date Check In form—a unique built in safety feature offered only by SilverSparks.
Such a high success rate is encouraging to SilverSparks organizers. Whether participants in fact met a match for a long term relationship remains to be seen, but the experience was fun, exciting, and unique for all the speed daters involved.
The success of the event is a further indication that mature adults are indeed looking for companionship, romance and intimacy. With speed dating events happening all over the western world, very few if any are geared to the specific demographic of 60+.
Most importantly, we’d like to thank all our sponsors who made this event possible and also helped promote it across the GTA: Senior Tours Canada, Comfort Life Magazine, Silver and Gold Magazine, LinkingBoomers.com, Art Gallery of Ontario and DanCap Productions
Be sure to check out website www.silversparksdating.com for more details on the next SilverSparks Speed Dating event or call 647-831-6630. You can also like our Facebook page and follow our Twitter feed at @MicheleSHN
Zoe Hawkins
SageHealth Network
10 comments:
The event was amazing. Finally someone has realized that seniors have been excluded from the speed dating scene & done something about it!!
I know how hard you worked to make your vision a reality & want to thank you for it.
I had a great time, as did the other people I met there.
Thanks Michele.
It would be fabulous if you could bring a SilverSparks Speed Dating Event to Western Massachusetts. Any plans to do that in the near future?
I would love to do this in Western Mass. I know quite a few people there. It is a good idea to do in the future after establishing SilverSparks here. Stay tuned!
Well organized and good range of participants in age and experience.
You are very friendly and with an approachable professional attitude.
You should make the time longer than six minutes. Well organized Michele!
I enjoyed the event very much. Thank you Michele
Well done, casual atmosphere. I was well received as a participatn and a good touch of professionalism.
Normally, speed dating events are 3-4 minutes which gives participants enough time to see if there is real chemistry. In future, we may extend the talk time judging by feedback.
Congratulations Michele! If i'm still single at "Silver" i'm calling you!
EB
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