A live-match singles event is coming to Toronto, providing an innovative twist on how people meet.
Secret RSVP studied the shortcomings of traditional dating events and designed an app that discreetly live-matches people.
At Secret RSVP events, guests indicate their interests via an app at the start of the evening. Then the algorithm finds appropriate connections and invites everyone to meet in intimate collectives over multiple rounds.
Attendees then play games while getting to know each other in groups made up of people with shared connections, though the app does not reveal who has expressed interest in whom.
“We use our live-matching algorithm to discreetly bring everyone into three rounds of smaller group rotations with secret connections, each round lasting between 20-25 minutes each,” co-creator of Secret RSVP Jen Connery said.
Connery first came up with the idea on a trip to Asia over 10 years ago. “While commuting on a busy train and surrounded by lots of people with their heads down on their phones, it dawned on us how challenging it must be for a single person to connect in a meaningful way with others,” Connery told Now Toronto.
Secret RSVP has been running in its current form since 2018, and since then has blended technology, social psychology, and a touch of mystery to revolutionize traditional dating mixers.
The problem with conventional speed dating or singles mixers, according to Secret RSVP’s website, is that simply throwing a large group of strangers into a room isn’t enough to facilitate conversation and that there is often a disproportionate amount of pressure on men to approach women.
As outdated as it seems, the prospect of being rejected in front of a large room of people or a woman and her friends is often too strong of a deterrent.
Similarly, the company says speed dating has a relatively low success rate because it does not “provide participants with enough of a memorable or bonding experience to occur. So, while speed dating may be efficient at organizing a small group of singles together in a structured format, its fast meeting method is not effective at building strong enough connections to proceed to actual dates.”
Therefore, Secret RSVP events are designed to be low-pressure and enjoyable, with a focus on fostering organic and meaningful interactions, both romantic and friendly, rather than high-pressure situations.
“A typical Secret RSVP event can have around 40 to 60 attendees, with a close to equal gender ratio. Attendees create their profiles on our app before arriving… then the app “comes alive”… they then get to use the app to secretly choose those they’re interested in [meeting],” Connery explained.
Its date nights also incorporate the element of surprise, with hidden guest lists so nobody knows who’s attending in advance.
“This uncertainty can actually increase attraction, making the connections formed at our events feel even more authentic and exciting. It’s like a game of hide and seek, where the chase can be just as thrilling as the catch,” according to Secret RSVP.
Secret RSVP events have recorded high levels of engagement. Connery says. “About 95 per cent of our attendees actively update their guest lists during the events as they connect with others or spot interesting people.”
Post-event engagement rates average 89 per cent in the messaging feature of the app. “This engagement often leads to further offline interactions and potential date setups…we have also noticed that spontaneous after-parties frequently form among new-found friends, which prolongs the fun and social interactions.” Connery said.
The Singles Live-Matched IRL Toronto Event: Christmas Games Night, will take place on Dec. 15 at Firkin On the Bay in Etobicoke.
Tickets are available here
