iDate (InternetDatingConference.com) events are 2 dayers, actually 3 days including the pre-conferences. They've been around for years, and have 50 events under their belt. Led by Marc Lesnick, assisted by Elena Lesnick.
GDI (Global Dating Insights) events are 1 dayers, with speakers speaking for 20 minutes. Now an established industry event. GDI runs daily news rewrites, interviews and GDI events. Led by Simon Corbett, assisted by GDI.news editor Dominic Whitlock.
IDEA (Internet Dating Excellence Association) SUMMIT events (see latest event at IDEASUMMIT.org) are small gatherings just for dating industry leaders to learn and share. These gatherings are usually in the board room of a hosting established dating industry company with 20-25 speaker-attendees who speak for 10 minutes each to share a meaningful idea. At each gathering we also invite one IDEA Alumni, i.e. someone who was senior and left the industry, plus a (promising) startup CEO, plus the CEO of a vendor of interest. Each event is led by the CEO of a leading dating company and co-hosted by Mark Brooks, assisted by OPW.news editor Irena Brooks.
I recommend picking off at least two or three events this year so you can stay connected with industry trends and your peers. Have fun, stay informed, and good luck growing your dating business in 2020. Here's the complete pick list.
Q1
Jan 30th & 31st – iDate Delray Beach, Florida – $645
March 6th – IDEA SUMMIT New York – Free
By invitation only for 25 dating industry leaders
March 7-8-9th – IDEA WOW New York – 3 half days of social events – At-cost
March 10th – GDI New York – $299
Q2
May 9-11th – IDEA SUMMIT + WOW Asia in Kuala Lumpur/Singapore TBD
May 12th – GDI Singapore – $299
May 23rd & 24th – iDate Premium International Dating (PID) in Odessa – 245 EUR
Q3
June 10th – IDEA SUMMIT Los Angeles – Free
June 11th – GDI Los Angeles – $299
Q4
Oct 1st – GDI London
Nov – IDEA SUMMIT + WOW Europe in UK/Germany/Malta TBD
If you're a traditional matchmaker or run a modern/hybrid matchmaking firm you should also take in a Matchmaking Institute Conference. Their Global Love Conferences are right after the GDI New York and Singapore and London conferences. See MatchmakingInstitute.com for tix.