Speed dating — it's not just for singles any more. House Republicans kicked off their election year by pairing off lobbyists with lawmakers Thursday.

For just under an hour, lobbyists and others introduced themselves and pitched their issues to representatives, for three minutes at a time.

The $100-per-person event at the Hard Rock Cafe was expected to raise about $20,000 for the Utah House Republican Election Committee, said organizer Kat Dayton. The committee had $125,414 in its coffers as of Jan. 5.

Dayton said she wanted to "shake things up a bit" with this year's annual fund-raiser. She got the idea from a speed dating scene in the movie "Hitch." Speed dating is a way for singles to briefly meet several potential companions.

"I think everyone was able to cycle through," Dayton said. "That's the whole point."

Dayton said she saw several people introducing themselves to lawmakers at the fund-raiser, attended by about three-fourths of the House's 56 Republicans.

The Deseret Morning News did not cover the actual event because reporters were denied access unless they paid $22.

Rep. David Cox, R-Lehi, described the event as a "light meet and greet."

The speed-dating format gave Cox a chance to meet more people than at last year's fund-raising reception.

"It was a good way for them to quickly get to know us," Cox said. "There wasn't enough time to get into a lot of detail."

Some lawmakers questioned the media attention to the annual fund-raiser.

Majority Leader Jeff Alexander, R-Provo, pointed out that Democratic lawmakers and Senate Republicans also have fund-raisers scheduled next week.

He said the event served as a more structured way for people to get acquainted than the typical fund-raising reception. House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, agreed, saying he regularly meets with lobbyists, organizations, individuals and others with an interest in the political process.

"For new representatives, it's a chance for them to interact and meet them," he said.

Lobbyist Dave Spatafore said he didn't feel rushed by the new format because he didn't follow the rules. "I just found an open table and sat down until I was done," he said.

Lobbyist Doug Foxely said, "I think it's a fun way to do something other than a chicken dinner. Everybody gets a chance to talk to everybody."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com