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Global Dating Insights (GDI) has announced the official agenda for its upcoming GDI New York Conference 2026, set to take place on 18 March 2026 at the 1700 Broadway Club in New York City.
The one-day event will bring together founders, executives, product leaders, and investors from across the online dating and social discovery industry to discuss the trends shaping the next era of human connection.
The conference will feature a packed programme of keynote presentations, expert talks, and panel discussions exploring key themes including user retention, video-first dating experiences, trust and safety, behavioural science, product innovation, and the future of online dating platforms.
Opening the event, Michael O’Sullivan, Owner of HubPeople, will explore the realities of building and scaling successful products in the rapidly evolving “human tech” sector.
He will be followed by Brittnee Barnes, CEO of Vybes, who will discuss how video-first experiences are reshaping dating platforms as users move beyond text-based interactions and swipe mechanics.
Other highlights from the morning sessions include Ankit Nayal, Founder of Flamme, sharing the retention strategies behind achieving over 50% Day-30 retention, and Obai Abdullah, COO and Co-Founder of Charisma Check, who will explain how dating platforms can integrate and monetise background checks while strengthening trust and safety.
The programme will also feature David Vermeulen, Founder of Inner Circle, discussing the shift toward lifestyle-driven dating experiences, and Colin Hodge, Founder of DownApp, presenting insights into the psychology behind dating products and user behaviour.
Following lunch, the conference will turn its focus to global market insights and product innovation. Ikuho Nakahata, CEO of Tapple, will provide an inside look at Japan’s dating app market and the cultural factors shaping relationships in the region.
Meanwhile, Alex Durrant and Jack Hollins of Jigsaw Dating will explore why some users are seeking alternatives to traditional dating apps.
Additional sessions will cover how platforms can leverage data to build more human-centric experiences, presented by Lavina Lim and L Nichols of Feeld, and new product innovations from Hari Gopal, Founder of Hearts Dating.
Legal and industry perspectives will also feature prominently, with Aaron Jacobs, Partner at Prince Lobel, examining the impact of U.S. patent law on dating platforms, followed by Mark Brooks, CEO of Courtland Brooks, delivering a state-of-the-industry address on the trends and challenges shaping the dating ecosystem in 2026.
The event will conclude with a forward-looking panel discussion exploring what users really want from the next generation of dating platforms, bringing together leaders from Feeld, Jigsaw Dating, and Tapple.
The GDI New York Conference is part of Global Dating Insights’ international events series and serves as a key meeting point for leaders across the online dating and social discovery sector.
Tickets are still on sale and you can buy yours here.
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