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11 November 2005, 20 international matchmakers from the US,
UK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, took part in the Partner Connection
Seminar, which was organised by the Social Development Unit
(SDU). The seminar provided a timely and appropriate platform
which brought serious dating agencies from around the world
together to meet, network and share best practices.
The international speakers spoke on challenges facing the dating
services industry in their respective countries. Japan’s Marriage
Information Service Council also shared on benchmarking the
industry. On the local front, speakers from Accounting and Corporate
Regulatory Authority (ACRA), Economic Development Board (EDB)
, Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC), and law
firm, Rodyk & Davidson shared about the business conditions
and potential for starting a business in Singapore.
Eighty-five participants from established foreign dating and
matchmaking agencies, local agencies, as well as businesses
which are interested to find out more about this industry, attended
the seminar.
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| Mrs Tan Hwee Seh, Coordinating Director,
Family Development Division (MCYS) giving the welcome address
at the opening of the seminar |
Surveys conducted by MCYS showed that singles in Singapore value
the concept of marriage and see it as an integral part of their
lives. Most listed marriage as one of their life goals to be
achieved in the next five years. Attitudes towards social interaction
activities are positive. Many however cited the lack of opportunities
to meet the opposite gender. This was further supported by a
recently conducted dating industry market survey, where 76%
of singles interviewed felt that there was an increasing demand
for social interaction opportunities.
The seminar received positive feedback from both overseas and
local delegates. Hear what the participants had to say: |
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I thank for
your warm hospitality during my visit to Republic of Singapore.
I worry about whether my speech was able to comply with
expectations but I am pleased that the meeting has been
completed successfully.
Mr Tatsurou Tanaka Managing
Director, Public Relations & IT Divition OMMG Inc |
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It was an
unprecedented effort. It was a great platform for a meeting
of minds and cultivating of business opportunities. It
was a good start to the future development of the dating
industry.
Mr Nazran Ahmad Business
Development Manager Cube Communications |
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The visit
to Singapore made me aware of the importance and the possibilities
of the match-making business again.
Mr Lee Woong Jin SUNOO Co
Ltd, South Korea |
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What a pleasure it was to meet so
many lovely people and get some feel of Singapore. I think
the Conference was a success. Both Andy and I met a good
number of potential business contacts - only time will
tell whether they will bear fruit. I feel that the Singles’
Forum was a great success. Congratulations to everyone
for getting an equal number of men and women, something
unheard of in the UK. Judy’s style and mine were so different
that I think we complemented one another well. We both
enjoyed the presentations and meeting the attendees who
seemed very interesting and friendly.
Ms Mary Balfour Managing
Director of Drawing Down the Moon and Only Lunch |
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We are extremely
impressed by the efficiency presented and the services
provided. We wish to congratulate you on the total success
of this seminar. We feel that our participation in this
trade seminar is educational and meaningful. We have met
good friends. And we hope that we can have some fruitful
results in the near future.
Mr James Jan Mama Jan-The
super matchmaker, Taiwan |
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It was a
good platform for the agencies to learn from one another.
It was particularly useful for those who want to expand
their business through forging new partnerships. I could
personally identify with Taiwan’s model, which I feel
is similar to what my agency is doing
Mrs Hong Poh Chu Director,
D’Match |
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| I have a male bird, languishing
because it is lonely… You have a delightful female bird… Why
should not the two be united? Otherwise mine may die of solitude.
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| A translated
traditional Malay verse |
Not forgetting our singles,
a Singles’ Forum was conducted for them on the following day.
A pre-dawn storm in the early morning of 12 November 05 failed
to deter 150 participants from attending the forum which was
tailored for singles from campuses and corporations. Two renowned
speakers, Dr Judy Kuriansky, a clinical psychologist from the
USA and Ms Mary Balfour, owner of a successful dating agency
from the UK, shared practical dating strategies for the singles.
The session was kick-started by Dr Kuriansky who impressed upon
the participants that dating should be fun and light-hearted
and hence, people on dates should try to smile and relax. She
also reminded them that in order to make a good impression on
a date, one had to feel good about oneself because it would
show in one's face. She invited volunteers to role play issues
such as trust. Ms Balfour on the other hand, encouraged the
audience to be open-minded about dating as it was really "no
big deal". She advised singles who had decided to go to a dating
agency for help, to cast aside prejudices or "stumbling blocks"
and try to date as many people as they possibly could. |
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Dating is serious business . . .
participants making the rounds at the exhibition booths
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Judy Kuriansky (US), one of the keynote
speakers
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Breaking the ice... Ms Mary Balfour
warming up the audience
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| Getting to know you...that’s the name of
the game at the Singles’ Forum |
The opportunities created to date regularly would
give them the confidence as "one dating success triggers another"
ie "Domino Dating Effect". The key for singles to be socially
connected to other singles was to be "out there dating"!
After an inspiring and motivating session with the two relationship
experts, the participants freely mingled with one other over
lunch, discreetly aided by the presence of Social Development
Officers and SDU Advisors.  |
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