Global Love Report – November 13th, 2024
Written by Margaret Wuwur
As the popularity of matchmaking events continues to grow globally, singles are increasingly drawn to participate in these unique opportunities to find potential partners. Currently, many dating event organizers, matchmakers, and even dating coaches are hosting matchmaking events with creative themes, such as snowboarding, farming, cooking, etc.
According to Eventbrite, a global event platform, matchmaking events, including speed dating, have seen a significant surge in popularity over the past three years. Their report shows that dating and matchmaking events in America increased by 30% from 2022 to 2023, accompanied by a 43% increase in attendance during the same period. Which is an impressive feat.
In this article, we’ll explore several unique matchmaking events that took place globally in 2024. Here’s the list:
Templestay Matchmaking Program in South Korea
The largest Buddhist sect in South Korea, the Jogye Order, has been organizing a popular Templestay matchmaking program called “Naneun Jeollo” (I Go to the Temple) through its social outreach arm, the Korean Buddhist Foundation for Social Welfare. This annual event, which has seen increasing participation since its inception in 2021, takes place at the historic Baekyangsa Temple in South Jeolla Province, established in the 6th century at Baegamsan Mountain.
The most recent two-day event, held at the end of October, brought together 12 men and 12 women carefully selected from 947 applicants. Participants engaged in various activities designed to foster connections, including cooking, tea drinking, and strolling through the temple’s scenic landscape. The program’s success was evident, with seven couples finding a match. To encourage lasting relationships, the temple’s abbot even offered small cash rewards to these newly formed couples.
With plans to continue next year, this unique matchmaking initiative demonstrates a blend of traditional Buddhist practices with modern relationship-building approaches, offering a refreshing alternative to conventional dating methods.
Pitch-a-Friend: Friendship-based Matchmaking in the US
A unique matchmaking event called “Pitch-a-Friend” is gaining popularity across the US, offering singles an innovative way to meet potential partners. Unlike traditional dating events, friends take center stage, presenting their single companions as ideal romantic matches through engaging three to five-minute presentations. These showcases feature slideshows complete with photos, animations, and charts to highlight the qualities of potential matches.
Since its inception by Melissa Schipke and Ariana Brogan in Philadelphia in 2022, Pitch-a-Friend has rapidly expanded to 33 cities worldwide. The event’s success lies in its ability to attract young people seeking alternatives to dating apps, fostering deeper connections through face-to-face interactions.
Groundbreaking HIV+ Matchmaking Event Unites Hearts Across Borders in Surat, India
In a groundbreaking display of inclusivity and hope, the Gujarat State Network of People (GSNP) organized its 13th annual matchmaking event in Surat, drawing over 600 HIV-positive individuals from diverse professional backgrounds.
This year’s event set new records, boasting the highest attendance to date and introducing an innovative international element. Thirteen participants from other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, joined virtually, expanding the event’s reach beyond borders. The event yielded impressive results: eight marriages were arranged on-site, with an additional 50 couples expressing interest in future unions. This remarkable event not only facilitated connections but also highlighted the power of community and acceptance in overcoming societal barriers.
The Outing Festival: LGBTQ+ Matchmaking in Ireland
The LGBTQ+ matchmaking festival “The Outing” made its 11th annual return to County Clare, Ireland in February 2024. Held at the Inn at Dromoland in Newmarket-On-Fergus, the event offered a vibrant mix of entertainment including pop-up clubs, drag shows, comedy acts, live music, and interactive experiences.
Festival Director Eddie McGuinness proudly shared the event’s impressive track record, having facilitated over 100 relationships and two marriages since its inception. With its continued success, “The Outing” is set to welcome attendees again next year, further cementing its place as a unique and inclusive matchmaking festival.
Matchmaking Event in Pakistan
In Lahore, Pakistan, a novel approach to matchmaking is emerging. Muzz, a UK-based matrimonial app, recently organized a gathering for about 100 young singles, facilitating face-to-face meetings. This event and similar initiatives like Annie’s Matchmaking Party represent a growing trend in conservative societies.
These matchmaking event blend modern technology with traditional values, creating a space where young people can meet potential partners while respecting cultural norms. By offering an alternative to both arranged marriages and dating apps, which are often stigmatized in Pakistan, these events are subtly challenging and reshaping traditional matchmaking practices in the country.
Live Comedy Dating Show in Seattle: A Unique Twist on Matchmaking
About 100 Seattle, Washington residents recently participated in a live, on-stage matchmaking event. The Los Angeles-based comedy show “Love Isn’t Blind” made its Seattle debut on July 11 at SIFF Cinema Uptown Queen Anne, offering a unique and entertaining approach to finding love.
The event featured one bachelorette and four blindfolded bachelors, who engaged in a series of creative challenges and yes-or-no questions. These ranged from revealing their attachment styles to confirming Costco memberships, all while the host playfully checked their phones and called their mothers. What sets the event apart from other dating events is that the men weren’t allowed to speak, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the selection process.
Founded by comedian Allison Goldberg in 2022, the event aimed to foster connections beyond just the stage participants. Audience members received color-coded wristbands indicating their relationship status and sexual orientation and participated in interactive games like musical chairs to encourage mingling. The evening culminated in an after-party where “wing” men and women, complete with actual wings, assisted shyer attendees in making connections.
This innovative approach to matchmaking not only provided entertainment but also created a supportive environment for singles to meet potential partners or new friends in a fun, low-pressure setting.
These are the matchmaking events that took place in various parts of the world this year! What unique themes do you think we’ll see next year?
