The present invention provides for an integrated matching service and calendaring
system. Calendar events are utilized as a bridge between an electronic calendaring
system and a matching service. A calendar event represents an activity, e.g., job
opening, tennis match, bicycle race, etc., the requirements to match the activity,
the entity attributes, and any match results. An entity defines criteria and information
for a matching activity which is stored as a calendar event in the electronic calendar
system. Portions of the criteria and information are stored as attachments to the
calendar event. The calendar events representing a matching activity and associated
attachments are provided to a matching server which locates suitable matches for
the activity based upon the criteria and information of the activity. If a suitable
match is located, the matching server notifies the entities involved by listing
the corresponding entities as attendees associated with the calendar event.