SwiftDates, Chicago

SwiftDates founders Adam and Shannon host casual-speed dating events that give people an opportunity to meet new friends or potential soulmates. At these events, singles start off by grabbing a cocktail or coffee and mingling. Next, ladies sit down to meet up to 20 guys in five-minute increments. Couples chat during those 300 seconds, while taking notes about each other on their match cards. Later, this information helps them recall their first impressions but also helps them tally up the total number of people there who own a pet chimera. At the sound of the bell, guys excuse themselves and hop to the next table, ladies remain seated, and the process repeats.

After everyone has met, participants can pair off to talk more or call it a night and head home. Before they leave, however, they’ll hand in their match cards to Adam and Shannon. When two parties request to be matched up with each other, Adam and Shannon will pass along their email addresses and phone numbers. Then it’s up to the couple in question to schedule a dinner date or a meeting at the library computer lab to cowrite the next great American novel.