Vancouver ‘meet cute’ event swaps dating apps for PowerPoint pitches from friends

PowerPoint slides aren’t just for boardrooms anymore. In Vancouver, a pair of community organizers are using the familiar presentation format to help people meet new friends — and possibly find romance.

Amy Xiao and Megan Lo have been hosting “meet cute” social and dating events that blend speed dating with a creative twist. Alongside quick one-on-one conversations, some events invite participants to pitch a friend — who is present — using a short PowerPoint presentation outlining their personality, interests and quirks.

In one recent example shared on TikTok, a presenter introduces his friend Kristina to the crowd with slides highlighting her “green flags,” including being hardworking and highly educated, along with a few lighthearted “red flags.”

“She’s a yapper,” he jokes, as his friend listens from a nearby stool.

The presentations often end with social media handles, encouraging attendees to reach out afterward if they’re interested in getting to know someone better.

Xiao says the events are meant to offer an alternative to online dating, which many people find impersonal or exhausting.

“When you meet someone in person, you can really feel whether there’s a connection,” she said. “That’s much harder to tell on an app.”

Lo said she was drawn to organizing the events after hearing repeated complaints about how difficult it is to meet new people in the city, especially after school or early career years.

“When you’re younger, school naturally brings people together,” she said. “Once you’re out of that environment, it becomes much harder to meet people organically outside of work.”

She added that busy schedules often cause friendships to drift, something she and Xiao experienced themselves before reconnecting and launching their community-focused events.

Their idea taps into a broader social shift. National data suggests people are spending less time with friends than in decades past, fueling interest in in-person gatherings that encourage connection beyond screens.

Inspired by other social meetups in the city — such as book swaps and hobby-based events — Xiao and Lo decided to experiment with something playful and slightly vulnerable.

According to their online posts, the events are currently aimed at people in their 20s and 30s, though the organizers plan to expand to other age groups. A speed dating event is scheduled for Jan. 25.

While the organizers don’t track whether romantic matches come from the PowerPoint nights, they say the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“People tell us they’re stepping out of their comfort zones,” Lo said. “It takes effort and a bit of bravery to build community and meaningful connections — but that’s exactly what these events are about.”