I only received one press release from a company exhibiting at iDate San Francisco this week. Enlaso is presenting a session titled “Go Global and Localize the Online Dating Experience.” If you’re at the show attending or exhibiting, send in your show photos, session reviews or a link to your Twitter stream. How many people are there, are the sessions any good? Does it feel more social-networking than dating?

I just got back from meeting an interesting new contextual-chat company, talked to a major white label dating company and was briefed on a mobile dating product coming soon from the Lone Star state. Busy Day!

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Evidently the UK Online Dating Forum I mentioned last month was postponed. iDate organizer Mark Lesnick flew to the UK, only to find out that the event was a no-go. Conference organizer Clare Gillbanks says everyone was emailed about the postponement two weeks prior to the event. Let me know if  you tried to attend the event.

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Clare Gillbanks wrote:

Just dropping you a note to let you know that I run a small business networking event for the online dating industry in the UK. The next event is on Friay 20th July if you would like to attend. More info on the site.

Best Wishes
Clare Gillbanks
www.onlinedatingforum.biz

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Readers know how fond I am of Boston-based HeyLetsGo. I found an event on the site called Speed Friending.

It’s kinda like Speed Dating, but it’s not about dating…it’s about making new friends and connections! Hey, that’s what we’re all about! That means it’s OK for girls to talk to girls, guys to talk to guys, girls to talk to guys, and guys can even talk back to the girls. It basically go like this:

We’ll pick a bar and set up “stationsâ€? around the perimeter. When you arrive, we’ll tell you if you’ll be Stationed or Moving. There will be 2 people at each station. Then, we’ll blow the whistle and you’ll have 5 minutes to talk to that person. That’s just enough time to get a “feelâ€? for them and see if maybe they might be someone you’d like to get to know as a friend. Then, the whistle will blow, and the Movers will move on to the next station and meet the next potential friend! We’ll give each of you a “Score Cardâ€? so you can write down each potential friend’s Lunch Club username. Learn more about it SpeedFriending.com!

After we complete the round of Speed Friending, we’ll all just hang out in the bar and party! Since it’s not about dating, there will be none of that awkward stuff, and you can just hang with the people you met and keep in touch through our site, if you like! Easy, simple and fun!

It’s like speed dating, without the pressure. Everyone talks about bringing online and offline dating together, but what about social networking sites? You don’t see these kinds of get-togethers on Myspace very often.

Related posts:

1. Natural Selection Speed Date2
2. World Record Speed Dating Event
3. PlentyofFish Speed Dating Record

Here are a few presentations from iDate. Presenters, send a link to a copy of yours if you wish.

Bunchball
Userplane
PersonalityPro

Related posts:

1. iDate presentations
2. iDate Presentations
3. iDate presentations

Besides the snarky and amusing viewpoints of Online Dating Insider readers, other blogs and news outlets covered iDate. I hear there was a Time Magazine reporter there as well which several people got a chance to talk to.

Online Personals Watch mentions the Miami Herald article. Mark says it was the best iDate ever. Then again, he is the official media sponsor and a speaker.

Susan Mernit was blogging iDate sessions.

Any other coverage worth linking to? Leave a comment.

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The feedback from iDate has started coming in. If you attended, we all want to hear your thoughts, make sure to add them in the comments or email me anonymously via the contact form. Make sure to send along positive stories/experiences. Deals done, new connections, money raised? If you presented, send me a copy and I’ll make available to those of us who couldn’t make the show.

Overall, the conference displayed a lack of thought leadership for the people looking for guidance and advice.
No one seemed to address issues and strategy “to save online dating.�
The vibe was vendors selling wares to dating sites.
Many in attendance were people starting dating sites. Why would Yahoo/Match/Eharmony want to meet with them?
The key players were there covertly, covering badges as usual.
Eharmony attendee was called the Mystery Man.
Match not there.
14 exhibitors, half of last year’s number, looked sparse compared to previous years, space too large?
Yahoo’s Susan Mernit avoided questions, said social networking is not competition.
Only 10% of attendees were social networking. Several vendors disppinted in the lack of social networking company presence.
Lack of new voices adding value to the conversations. Same old industry recaps.
Mikes Jones gave what people are saying was the best presentation, highlight of show.
Cocktail party at 8:30 pm, not 5:30. People exhausted by that time.
Paul Falzone of Together/Right One in the catbird seat this year.
Vintacom looked deflated.
It appears that Jlove not doing well. Can anyone back this up or refute it?

Here’s what the Miami Herald had to say about the show.

While I would have liked to see everyone in Miami, this is how I spent my weekend.

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According to Pocket Change, genetic cleansing is how the wealthy stay beautiful. How very 1942 of them. If you agree and live in NYC, this event’s for you. Cupid.com and Janis Spindel are involved. Someone go to this and take pictures. I want to see what kind of people attend these kinds of events.

February 7
Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club
24 East 81st Street
NY, New York

Applicant Requirements – Men

Solely based on wealth

Salary:
Age 25 or below $200K +
Age 26-30 $300K +
Age 30+ $500K +

Invested Assets: $1 million +
Trust: $4 million +

Applicant Requirements – Women

Solely based on beauty

5 pictures will be submitted to Pocket Change for judgment by celebrity Matchmaker Janis Spindel
Pictures are judged for beauty
No additional information will be accepted

Ticket Price $50
(apply for free – must be accepted to purchase)

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For those of you heading down to Miami for iDate, enjoy. May the sun shine bright, the sessions be informative and the beverages cold and tasty. Send highlights and photos to me via the contact form and I’ll post for the rest of us who couldn’t make it.

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Just a short email to remind you that our upcoming training is scheduled for January 26, 27 and 28, 2007 in NYC.

Don’t miss the opportunity to become a Certified Matchmaker and learn all the skills you need to start your own matchmaking business… and get your first success stories!

Register at http://www.matchmakinginstitute.com/application/enroll/

Lisa Clampitt, CSW, Executive Director of the Matchmaking Institute, says the January 26-28 Matchmaker Certification Program in NYC has a few seats left. Call Rob at 212 242 0965 if you have any questions.

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