At least that's the concept behind a new trend in the dating world.

8minuteDating, a Boston company, recently sponsored a local singles mixer with the eight-minute twist.

Kerri Walker, the event coordinator from Atlanta, was the upbeat hostess and referee who issued the challenge to 30 local singles at The Partridge Inn for the first event of its kind in Augusta.

Judy Boyd, a lawyer stationed at Fort Gordon, was one of Augusta's guinea pigs.

"I am new to Augusta and thought this would be a good way to meet people," she said. "I have friends who have done this in Philly and Atlanta and had a good time."

8minuteDating is one of several companies that are capitalizing on the idea of express dating (also called speed dating, hurry dating or pre-dating, depending on the company). The events are designed to introduce participants to as many of the opposite sex (or same sex if the event is so designated) as possible through a program similar to musical chairs. For about $30, singles can meet at least half a dozen prospective dates.

The companies do not screen participants. They simply provide an environment conducive to meeting. In fact, the rules state that participants not exchange last names, phone numbers or other personal information at the event. They recommend participants use the same precautions as meeting a stranger in a club.

After the event, each participant logs on to the Web site and lists any person they would like to have future contact with. (Categories are friendship, business or dating)

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The company will exchange contact information between any two people who are mutually interested in each other for the same categories.

Ms. Boyd said she enjoyed the event because of the variety of people she met in one night.

"And there is no obligation beyond the eight minutes," she said.

Ms. Boyd's evening resulted in a few matches.

"You can tell when you are clicking with someone, even within eight minutes," she said.

Mark McGlinchey, one of the men at Saturday's event, said he looks forward to doing it again, even though he didn't make any particular connections this time.

"I am a dating commando and am committed to being on the prowl again," he said.

Now that he's done it, he feels better prepared for the next time.

"I was not sure what to expect because I had never done anything like this before," he said. "All I knew was that I was going to talk to at least eight single women for at least eight minutes each and that was better than wasting the night away in a bar or staying at home on a Saturday night."

Singles such as Judy Boyd and David Dvorak can meet many prospective dates in one session. CHRIS THELEN/STAFF

Although Augusta's first event had only 30 participants, events can include as many as 100.

"The number of participants was pretty standard for the first event. I am very hopeful that we could see numbers up to 100 the next time around," Ms. Walker said.

The trend started with a Jewish organization called Aish HaTorah in January 1999, which created SpeedDating in hopes of encouraging more Jews to marry inside their faith. The idea quickly caught on and now there are several national companies recruiting singles for their events.

Though most work the same way, there are variations in the way they conduct events and the number of "dates" each participant has in one night.

Tom Jaffe, founder and president of 8minuteDating, started his company in December 2000.

"Having been single myself, I knew there was a need for a better, more efficient way for single people to meet one another," he said. "The odds of actually meeting someone in a bar are very low, because everyone has their guard up. At 8minuteDating there are no games, no pick-up lines, just comfortable conversation."

Vince Gelormine, CEO and founder of Pre-Dating Events in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., which focuses solely on single professionals, said it is dating at its most efficient.

You can't predict who will hit it off, based on interests and hobbies, he said. "What we've learned in doing this, is people need to decide for themselves. This way, you can see not only how they looked, but how they talked."

HurryDate, a similar company based in New York, offers its participants 25 three-minute dates in one chaotic night.

Adele Testani, co-founder and president, said the HurryDate participant is outgoing and confident.

"It's such a unique night out. Mostly, it's people who are looking for fun," she said. "It's a high-energy, crazy kind of atmosphere."

HurryDate just announced its first wedding on record.

Jenny Hust and Bryan Murray, both of Atlanta, met at the March 13 HurryDate event and are planning a June wedding. The couple both received five "matches" each from the party, but neither went out with any of them but each other.

Although there have been rumors of other HurryDate engagements, this is the first "on-record" engagement the company knows about.

"We are just so pumped! What more could we want for our HurryDaters?" said president and cofounder Adele Testani.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED

Dating companies to contact for express dating: