Sci-Fi Speed Dating Returns to C2E2

SPEED DATING RETURNS TO THE CHICAGO COMIC & ENTERTAINMENT EXPO (C2E2)

Popular Dating Event was Subject of TLC's Two-Part Special, Geek Love!

Self-Proclaimed "Geek Dr. Of Love" tells Entertainment Weekly, "If even one couple makes it and is happy, then I've done my job..."

Norwalk, CT, February 16, 2012: Sci-Fi Speed Dating, the enormously popular dating event which has figured prominently at several ReedPOP shows will return to C2E2 in 2012. After a successful launch at Star Wars Celebration V in 2010, Sci-Fi Speed Dating gathered considerable momentum at C2E2 and New York Comic Con (NYCC) in 2011. Organized by founder Ryan Glitch, Sci-Fi Speed Dating has taken the geek romance world by storm by providing venues where like-minded and passionate fans can meet each other and indulge their common – and sometimes not so common! – interests. Camera crews followed the Sci-Fi Speed Dating staff around NYCC in October 2011 for a two-part special called Geek Love which aired on TLC in December 2011 and which featured Glitch as well as numerous speed dating participants. In addition, Geek Love was highlighted in the Huffington Post and Glitch has been interviewed by numerous media outlets including EW.com, among others. This year, five C2E2 Speed Dating sessions will be held at the convention all of which will be free for C2E2 attendees. C2E2, the annual Midwest pop culture extravaganza, will take place April 13 – 15, 2012 in the North Building at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

"Speed Dating has added an awesomely cool element to our shows that I would never have predicted but is so perfect for our fans and audience," states Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for ReedPOP and Show Manager for C2E2. "We are all about bringing pop culture fans and self-described nerds together by celebrating our common interests. What better way to extend that concept than by pairing people off? Nerds want to be with other nerds and this is the perfect way to meet your ideal mate!"

Ryan Glitch notes: "This works, whether you're looking for true love, or new friends... relax, be yourself, and you can find someone to wander the con with, and maybe more... trust in the force!" Glitch further indicates that the recent success of Sci-Fi Speed Dating is one major reason to keep the program moving forward. He notes that one couple who met at Speed Dating is getting married and he estimates that there are approximately 25 – 30 couples who are dating seriously as a result of Sci-Fi Speed Dating. "We're not here to exploit this," Glitch concludes. "We're just here to do a good job, and have fun."

As noted, there will be five C2E2 Speed Dating sessions extending throughout the course of the weekend. Speed Dating's blind dates last three minutes, but if sparks fly, participants may be set for a lifetime of love. At all sessions, host Ryan Glitch and his crew will take fans through the easy process of finding their ideal mate. Glitch ran Speed Dating at Star Wars Celebration V, C2E2 2011, and is fresh off the heels of running NYCC's Speed Dating. To follow Sci-Fi Speed Dating news check out www.facebook.com/SciFiSpeedDating. Meanwhile, fans may register on-site at C2E2 for Sci-Fi Speed Dating, but to guarantee a place, fans should be sure to sign up online by April 5 at www.c2e2.com (Note: this event is only for C2E2 attendees 18 and over.)

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration VI, Fantasy Football Fest, and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.