9 questions about your journey for Connect’s 9th birthday 🎉

[Julie_A]

Happy 9 years of Connect! We love this time of the year as we get to celebrate with our wonderful online community of Local Guides on Connect. Nine years passed in a blink, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the countless ways we’ve connected over this time: through posts, meet-ups, virtual and physical events, and even through helpful contributions on Google Maps.

This year, we’d love to learn more about each of your individual journeys and experiences with Connect so far. Are you ready to play “9 questions for Connect’s 9th birthday”? Share your responses in the comments by July 31; we’ll read through all the answers and highlight some of our favorite ones in a new topic!

Questions:

1. Where are you from?

2. When did you join Connect?

3. How did you learn about Connect in the first place?

4. What time of the day/week do you like to check what’s new on Connect?

5. Have you attended or hosted a meet-up on Connect?

6. What’s your favorite moment on Connect?

7. Tell us about one Connect feature that you love.

8. What one feature would you add to Connect if you could?

9. Tell us about one thing you’re planning to share or do on Connect this year.

We look forward to your stories!

If you want to join even more Connect birthday festivities, check out the Upcoming meet-ups section to see what other Local Guides are doing, or become a meet-up host yourself as part of @KashifMisidia’s initiative.

[KashifMisidia]

First of all, many congratulations to everyone, to all those who make valuable contributions on Google Maps, and also to all the friends who became part of this amazing platform. Through their posts on Connect, they’ve beautifully showcased the beauty of their countries, their cultures, their food, in short, they’ve made us feel as if we are right there with them.

On the occasion of Connect’s 9th birthday celebration, I want to send lots of love and hugs to all my friends.

Here are my answers

1. Where are you from?
I’m from Karachi, Pakistan

2. When did you join Connect?
I joined Connect on May 21, 2017 , which means I’ve been enjoying in-person and virtual meetups with my Local Guides friends for 8 years now.

3. How did you learn about Connect in the first place?
It’s quite an interesting story!
I was extremely upset at a restaurant, so first I posted a review on Google Maps, then on social media pages, but my anger still wasn’t cooling down. While looking for something else, I came across Connect. So I posted something like a review here too ,which was later removed
And that was the beginning of my love story with Connect

4. What time of the day/week do you like to check what’s new on Connect?
I don’t just check it daily, I visit Connect multiple times a day. I read posts, like them, leave my thoughts in the comments, and I don’t have a fixed time for doing all this. I come online whenever I find a free moment during work, or late at night with a cup of tea in front of me and Connect in my hands

5. Have you attended or hosted a meet-up on Connect?
Yes, I’ve hosted more than 80 Local Guides meetups, not only in Karachi, Pakistan but also in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Sri Lanka. I’ve also had the pleasure of attending meetups in all these countries.

6. What’s your favorite moment on Connect?
My favorite moment on Connect was receiving the selection email for Connect Live 2018. I remember shouting with excitement while standing on the street , and I even danced a little.
Apart from that, meeting my lovely friends in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Indonesia, whom I had talked to for years but never met in person, were truly beautiful moments.
And I still look forward to another special moment: meeting my friends from India and Bangladesh in person someday.

7. Tell us about one Connect feature that you love.
My favorite feature on Connect is “Meetups.” In my opinion, meeting new friends, maintaining long-lasting friendships, learning from each other’s experiences , all of this wouldn’t be possible without meetups, whether virtual or in person. But I personally love in-person meetups more. Sharing meals together, giving hugs and handshakes , these joys just aren’t the same in virtual meetups!

8. What one feature would you add to Connect if you could?
If it were up to me, I would bring back the “Featured” and “Trending” windows from the previous version of Connect. Especially the section where 4 featured posts would appear when we opened Connect , selected by Googlers. I really miss that view.

9. Tell us about one thing you’re planning to share or do on Connect this year.
This year, I’m once again organizing the Connect’s 9th Birthday Celebration Meet-up campaign, a very special and traditional campaign that I start every year with a lot of love. I would especially like to thank @OmerAli , @JaneBurunina , @NareshDarji , @TusharSuradkar , and @SholaIB , who have supported this campaign in different ways.

Also, to all my friends, I may not be able to tag everyone, I’m sending you all lots of hugs and best wishes for being part of this campaign over the past 6 years.

In addition, my plan was to meet my fellow friends from Asia in person at Connect Live, which is unfortunately not possible this time due to unavoidable reasons. But I really hope that we can meet in the near future, preferably in 2025, and celebrate this birthday together. And ofcourse I’m hosting a meetup in Karachi at the end of July to celebrate Connect’s Birthday here

[PrasadVR]

I’m happy and grateful to be part of this amazing celebration. I am excited to answer the questions. Thank you for this post, dear Googler @Julie_A.

Happy birthday, Connect

I am so glad to share my answers below;

Q1. Where are you from?

Answer: I am from Visakhapatnam, India.

Q2. When did you join Connect?

Answer: In 2018.

Q3. How did you learn about Connect in the first place?

Answer: Through an email.

Q4. What time of the day/week do you like to check what’s new on Connect?

Answer: Many times a day. My total read time on Connect is 38 days.

Q5. Have you attended or hosted a meet-up on Connect?

Answer: Yes, I have hosted and co-hosted some meet-ups, and I’ve also attended several national and international Meet-ups. Participated in the ‘Contributor Conversations 2024’ on October 1st in New Delhi, India.

Q6. What’s your favorite moment on Connect?

Answer: My favorite moments on Connect were;

a) The day I saw Googler @DeniGu post on Connect, appreciating my contribution to Road Mapping, was truly special.

b) The day I received the ‘Road Mapping Champion’ badge together with Connect Moderator @SholaIB and Ciao @MarcoDavoli.

c) The day I received the ‘Top Movers & Shakers Leaderboards Champion – 2024’ badge, created by Connect Moderator @AdamGT .

d) The day I received the ‘Ten-time Connect Challenge Winner’ badge, and

e) The day I received the invitation for ConnectLIVE: Bangalore on September 18–19, 2025 !

Q7. Tell us about one Connect feature that you love.

Answer: Adding photos is now quicker and simpler. I also like that you can add meet-ups or topics to your calendar and set reminders easily.

Q8. What one feature would you add to Connect if you could?

Answer: A chat feature like Telegram, built within Connect.

Q9. Tell us about one thing you’re planning to share or do on Connect this year.

Answer: I’m excited to join many challenges and meet-ups, and I’m looking forward to hosting meet-ups. My main goal is to be more helpful to the community!

Cheers!
@PrasadVR

[TusharSuradkar]

Thank you for this amazing QA challenge @Julie_A
that will bring out the best of local guides and also of Connect
their aspirations and expectations from Connect.

I am preparing my answers and posting them soon.

Happy 9th Birthday to Connect

[LaloPadilla]

Happy birthday Connect Thanks for this post to get to know more about everyones journey here! @Julie_A

1. Where are you from? Toluca, Mexico
2. When did you join Connect? April 20 2018
3. How did you learn about Connect in the first place? Because an email about Local Guides and Connect Live
4. What time of the day/week do you like to check what’s new on Connect? Most of the times I check connect in the morning or when I’m in my lunch time at work.
5. Have you attended or hosted a meet-up on Connect? Yes! recently I hosted the Connect Birthday meet-up in Mexico City here’s the RECAP

6. What’s your favorite moment on Connect? When I became a Connect Moderator, it meant a lot, I try to do my best to keep this forum spam free and help everyone I can.
7. Tell us about one Connect feature that you love. The new filters, its easier to see post from an specific country or section
8. What one feature would you add to Connect if you could? A “meet-ups near you” so everyone that logs in Connect see that there are more Local Guides meeting soon.
9. Tell us about one thing you’re planning to share or do on Connect this year. Post more frequently and share more from places I have visited recently, also I’m still figuring out some details but I would like to organize more meet-ups regarding accessibility and others about games.

[TusharSuradkar]

Thank you @KashifMisidia bhai for coming up with the new meetup challenge series on 9th birthday of Connect - I will be hosting soon

[Jesi]

Happy birthday Connect!! I’m glad to have read so many great things here, and connected with so many awesome people.

1. I’m from the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina
2. I joined in 2016, but honestly didn’t really get it or knew what I could post, but then came back in late 2017 and started posting more!
3. Via an email at first, but then was motivated to join after meeting more Local Guides in an official meetup. I believe it was @FaridTDF who convinced me
4. Probably after checking my emails, like before work, at then at random times during the day.
5. Yes, of course! Both, we had plenty of fun ones. I completely recommend them, especially the in-person ones if you have the chance.
6. Whenever many of us participated in fun group challenges, like #TeamChallenge which was for Connect Live 2019, to write about our countries, or any writing challenge. Community Live was also amazing.
7. The following feature has been really useful to know what everyone’s up to!
8. Oh, like a fun interactive map showing where everyone is connected from, or just a way to see the Local Guides that selected my city/country as their Local Guides “base”.
9. I have been writing a post per each topic Connect is focusing on this year! Accessibility, meet-ups, sustainability. I might replace this month’s with a recap, but I want to keep it up

[AjitThite]

Great initiative, @Julie_A. I will get ready with the answers and come back here.

Cheers!

[Shrut19]

Namaskar
@Julie_A
Thankyou for opportunity to participate in this question Answer..

वाढदिवसाच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा लोकल गाईड्स कनेक्ट

• I am from Mumbai, Maharashtra, Bharat.

• I joined Local Guides Connect in April 2018.

• How did I learn about Connect?

In April 2018, I received an email from the Local Guides team about Connect Live. I followed the link, explored the Connect platform, and got fully involved.

• What time of the day/week do I like to check what’s new on Connect?

I check Connect every single day, especially when our LG friends share their posts or feature posts in our WhatsApp Local Guides groups.

• Have I attended or hosted a meet-up on Connect?

Yes, I’ve attended more than 500 Meetups (Sorry cloud not possible to shared my virtual presence ) and hosted many of them during my 8+ years as a Local Guide. Some of physical Meetup’s Photos form Hosting & many are as attended in defferent City & States.
Here is some Glimpses -

Those are not only photographs it is My local guides journey of 8 years..

• What’s my favorite moment on Connect?

There are many, but one of the most rewarding moments in my Local Guides journey was when Google invited me twice to their Mumbai office and once to the Bangalore office. And now, I feel deeply honored to be selected for Connect Live 2025 in Bangalore. It’s a true recognition of my contribution as a Local Guide.
One more favourite moments is when I read this post comments reply,
I found myself in many photos as I am attendees or hosting & gathering as a local guides
& also appear in many Tags.. It’s my life time achievement as a Local Guide.

• Tell us about one Connect feature that I love:

Meet ups
Meeting fellow Local Guides in person and virtually connected me to the global community. These are memories I will cherish forever.

• What one feature would I add to Connect if I could?

I would love a direct way to connect with the Google Maps & LG Connect team through Connect for Local Guide related queries.

• Tell us about one thing you’re planning to share or do on Connect this year:

This year, I as a Mumbaikar Maharashtra LG Community builder I plan to highlight all Connect support topics like Accessibility, Sustainability, and Support for Small Businesses especially those run by women through my Connect posts. I also want to inspire more homemakers and health warriors like me to join this beautiful journey..

[Yulochka]

Вітаю всю спільноту з 9-річчям Connect!

Я щаслива бути частиною цієї великої сім’ї місцевих гідів, де кожен з нас може не тільки ділитися своїми знаннями, а й надихатися історіями інших! Для мене це більше, ніж просто онлайн-платформа — це місце, де я знайшла друзів, підтримку та натхнення.

Тож із задоволенням відповім на святкові 9 запитань:

Я звідси: Україна, місто Полтава

До Connect я приєдналася: у червні 2025 року — зовсім нещодавно, але вже почуваюся частиною цієї спільноти.

Як дізналася про Connect: чесно кажучи, завдяки ChatGPT. Це ж не секрет, правда? Саме він підказав мені спробувати — і я дуже вдячна за цю підказку!

Коли перевіряю новини на Connect: зазвичай увечері, коли є час поринути у світ історій інших Local Guides.

Чи була на зустрічах: ще ні, але дуже мрію потрапити на одну з офіційних подій або навіть організувати власну зустріч.

Мій улюблений момент на Connect: це відчуття єдності, коли читаєш історії людей з різних куточків світу й розумієш, що ми всі дуже схожі у своїй любові до мандрів та досліджень.

Улюблена функція Connect: тематичні розділи, де можна легко знайти однодумців та надихаючі історії.

Яку функцію додала б: більше інтерактивних викликів, конкурсів та форматів обміну досвідом між Local Guides з різних країн.

Що планую зробити цього року: продовжити знайомити спільноту з цікавими містами України та світу — адже подорожі це моя пристрасть!

Ще раз вітаю всіх! Дякую кожному, хто робить цю спільноту такою особливою. Зустрінемось на Connect!

[Nomad_vikram]

Happy 9th Anniversary, Local Guides Connect!
Being a part of this amazing community has been a truly heartwarming journey. From discovering new friendships to sharing unforgettable moments, Connect has become a special part of my life.
Excited to celebrate this milestone with “9 Questions for Connect’s 9th Birthday” — here are my answers!

1. Where are you from?
   I’m from the vibrant city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India…famously known as the Blue City, where culture, tradition, and community walk hand in hand.

2. When did you join Connect?
   I officially joined Connect in 4 March 2020, a time that truly changed many lives — including mine.

3. How did you learn about Connect in the first place?
   It’s quite an interesting story! During the early days of the Covid lockdown, I was looking online to check which shops were open nearby. That’s when I stumbled upon the Local Guides program. At first, it was just curiosity, but soon I found myself connecting with kind-hearted people, sharing experiences, and making meaningful friendships. Slowly, I discovered Local Guides Connect, and since then, there’s been no turning back. One connection led to another, and a whole new world opened up!

4. What time of the day/week do you like to check what’s new on Connect?
   Almost every afternoon after lunch, when I’m in my office, I take a small break to check my emails and dive into what’s new on Connect. It’s my favorite digital corner to unwind and stay inspired.

5. Have you attended or hosted a meet-up on Connect?
   Yes, and that’s the most beautiful part of my Connect journey!
   I’ve hosted meet-ups in Jodhpur to bring our local community together, co-hosted at the India level, and even travelled more than 1200 miles… from Jodhpur to Mumbai, and Jodhpur to Ahmedabad… just to attend physical meet-ups. I’ve also been part of numerous online events. Each meet-up holds a special place in my heart. They’re not just events…they’re unforgettable memories.
   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. What’s your favorite moment on Connect?
   My favorite moments are those small yet powerful interactions… when you discover someone from your own city on Connect, when a casual chat turns into a real friendship, or when a simple tea meet-up turns into a lifelong bond. The most comforting part?
   No one feels alone here.
   Everyone is welcomed with open arms. No judgments. Only support and positivity. That’s what makes this platform magical.

7. Tell us about one Connect feature that you love.
   I absolutely love the way Connect encourages storytelling through photos and detailed posts. Whether it’s about food, places, or culture every post feels like a journey through someone’s eyes. The global diversity shared in a single space is simply priceless!

8. What one feature would you add to Connect if you could?
   If I could, I’d love to see a city-based filter or search option added to Connect. Right now, it’s a bit tricky to find posts or members from your own city unless someone posts something directly. This feature could help grow local communities, plan regional meet-ups, and bring people closer who are already nearby but yet to connect.

9. Tell us about one thing you’re planning to share or do on Connect this year.
   I’m planning an exciting travel series across India around mid-August. The destination is culturally rich and full of stories that deserve to be told. My goal is to connect with Local Guides in each city I visit, share our experiences together, and host a series of meet-ups along the way. I’m really looking forward to documenting this journey on Connect… one story, one guide, and one beautiful memory at a time.

[KhokonSharker]

Great initiative, @Julie_A. Great Celebration .

Here is my answers:

1. Where are you from?
I’m from Dhaka, Bangladesh

2. When did you join Connect?
I join this lovely community at 2020.

3. How did you learn about Connect in the first place?
I added the bamboo bridge in our village to Google Maps and uploaded a few photos, and from there I was regularly emailed updates. And join Connect from Gmail.

4. What time of the day/week do you like to check what’s new on Connect?
I don’t have a specific time. I connect whenever I’m in front of my Phone and Laptop.

5. Have you attended or hosted a meet-up on Connect?
Yes, I have participated in approximately 50-60 online and offline meet-ups and hosted 7-8 meet-ups so far. I prefer participating in offline meetups. It’s easy to meet new, like-minded people, to make friends, and to build relationships. I am very happy to meet local guides from neighboring countries in person. I have attended two meetups in India as part of the International Meet-up, which is one of the many joys I have had from my Connect community.

2025.

2025

2024

2024

6. What’s your favorite moment on Connect?
My greatest joyous moment was when the names of eight local guides from all over the world were highlighted and posted on the Connect forum on Connect’s eighth anniversary. I was very happy that my name was even there from Bangladesh. Moreover, Connect meetups are a regular platform for fun.

7. Tell us about one Connect feature that you love.
Meetup is one of my favorite features where it’s easy to make new friends, and local guides share their ongoing great work and goals. New ideas can be gathered from here which directly help make a community smart enough.

8. What one feature would you add to Connect if you could?
It would be great if Googlers brought back the post feature as a Connect feature.

9. Tell us about one thing you’re planning to share or do on Connect this year.
Like last time, I will host a meetup to celebrate Connect’s ninth anniversary and, God willing, I will give a tour to meet local guide friends from neighboring countries.

[Kumaarsantosh]

Thank you @Julie_A for initiating yet another interesting topic to celebrate Connect’s 9^th birthday.

I am from NCR Delhi, India and joined connect in the year 2023. There is an intersting story behind, how did I learn about Connect in the first place. I have narrated this story here.

For me, there is no time limitations for being on Connect. I always find myself here either through my laptop or hand held device. It has become the essential part of my daily routine. It is like food for me which keeps me enerzised throughout. It’s alsways there in my thoughts and acts.

I have attended and hosted many meet-ups on connect including in-person and virtual. The most talked about famous and loved meet-up series of mine is Ghumakkad Gossip which has created a magic in community building. I have been acting as a Meeting Moderator for many of our LG friend’s meet-ups across the globe.

Everyday is a new learning and a new way to look at the Connect. And, hence I enjoy my favorite moment on Connect everyday but to specifically mention, two moments so far were quite specific and memorable for me on Connect.

1. 19-June-2024, when Googler @Ivi_Ge announced Accessibility Champion
2. 01-October-2024, when I attended the most vibrant and informative fun filled Contributor Conversations: The Catalyst to Discover🧐 and Share🤝

It’s clear that the Connect platform holds a special place in my daily life and has been a significant source of connection, learning, and personal growth.

I love all the features of Connect as they are uniquely bonded to the community. However, the Stats under Connect profile and the Introduce yourself monthly series are the most I love.

I would love to have ‘nomination’ feature available and live on Connect to nominate Local Guides for their outstanding contributions. Secondly, I would suggest to provide the feature for "more than 4 consecutive replies on other’s post. At present, No more than 4 consecutive replies are allowed. I have highlighted this in my post here.

Recently, I have finished the Ghumakkad Gossip V1 Meet-up series and now I am all set to kick off Gumakkad Gossip V2 Meet-up series with a new set of 10 episodes with a different outlook and with different set of topics to further build and strengthen the community. As a Meeting Moderator, I shall be utilizing my Community building skills to support other LG friend’s meet-ups across the globe.

Sharing is Learning.

Keep building a well-informed community stronger together.

Stay Happy, Stay Healthy!

Congratulations to everyone.

JAI HO!!!

[MahabubMunna]

Where are you from?
Answer: Dhaka, Bangladesh.

When did you join Connect?
Answer: I joined this forum on June 30, 2016, as a beta tester. My ID was 46 in the previous versions of Connect (1.0 & 2.0).

How did you learn about Connect in the first place?
Answer: Before the Local Guides Connect forum was launched, there was a private Local Guides group on Google+. It was announced there that a new platform would be released. That’s how I first learned about Connect. Later, I was given early access as a beta tester.

What time of the day/week do you like to check what’s new on Connect?
Answer: I don’t have a fixed schedule for checking the forum. I usually visit it multiple times throughout the day — sometimes every hour — until I go to sleep.

My time spent on the Local Guide Connect forum has exceeded three months, meaning I’ve spent more than 131,400 minutes here.

What’s new on Connect?
Answer: Compared to previous versions, the new version feels much more user-friendly, especially on mobile. Uploading photos has become easier and more efficient. I really like the new interface and workflow of the Meet-up section.

Have you attended or hosted a meet-up on Connect?
Answer: Yes, under the banner of Bangladesh Local Guides, I have directly hosted or assisted in organizing over 260 meet-ups so far.
Few Signature meetup info you can see in this connect post : We completed 200 meet ups under the banner of Bangladesh Local Guides
What’s your favorite moment on Connect?
Answer: I have several favorite moments on Connect, such as when my posts about being recognized as a Guiding Star, Meet-up Champion, and Accessibility Champion were featured. Those moments are truly special to me.

Tell us about one Connect feature that you love.
Answer: I really love the feature that allows us to follow other Local Guides and receive notifications about their activities. This helps me stay updated with new information quickly without having to manually check each profile or scroll through numerous posts.

What one feature would you add to Connect if you could?
Answer: I would love to see region-based or language-specific chat groups integrated into the forum. This could significantly increase engagement and help solve map-related issues more easily through local collaboration.

Tell us about one thing you’re planning to share or do on Connect this year.
Answer: Currently, we are preparing to celebrate the 9th anniversary of the Connect forum under the banner of Bangladesh Local Guides. Additionally, over the next five months, we plan to organize more programs, including our annual mega meet-up and various contests, to encourage Bangladeshi Local Guides to contribute more actively to the forum.

[Kumaarsantosh]

@Julie_A

become a meet-up host yourself as part of @KashifMisidia’s initiative.

Its a privilege to be a part of @KashifMisidia’s initiative. And, am happy that one of my meet-ups of Ghumakkad Gossip series is listed there.

Thank you @KashifMisidia bhai.

[SoniaK]

Yayyyyy… that’s awesome!!!

Congratulations @KashifMisidia for being featured and for taking this wonderful initiative.

Here are my answers:

1. Where are you from?
   I’m originally from the beautiful country of Bangladesh, but I now live in the Lone Star State—Texas, USA.

2. When did you join Connect?
   While I can’t recall the exact date, I’m quite sure I joined in August 2016, not long after Connect was launched.

3. How did you learn about Connect in the first place?
   I received an email from the Local Guides team that said, ‘Visit Local Guides Connect,’ and I knew right away—this is where I belong.
   

   

4. What time of the day/week do you like to check what’s new on Connect?
   Typically right after I wake up in the morning, for a short time and later during the day whenever I get some free time.

5. Have you attended or hosted a meet-up on Connect?
   I have hosted several meetups—both virtual and in-person—on Connect, including the Bangladesh Local Guides’ 10th anniversary meetup, which I’m especially proud to have hosted. I’ve also attended numerous virtual meetups organized by other Local Guides

6. What’s your favorite moment on Connect?
   When I first received the email confirming my selection for Connect Live (formerly known as the Local Guides Summit) in 2017, it was one of the most incredible and unforgettable moments of my life.

7. Tell us about one Connect feature that you love.
   I love both the filter and following options in the new Connect.

8. What one feature would you add to Connect if you could?
   I would love to have an option to connect with Local Guides based on my selected region—whether through chat or any other method. It would also be great to have the ability to access their Google Maps profiles (even though the ‘follow’ feature is being removed), so I can discover their reviews and recommendations when visiting a new place—or even exploring my own city.

9. Tell us about one thing you’re planning to share or do on Connect this year.
   This year—and in fact, this month—I launched a new meetup series called Know Your Connect Moderator. Each month, a Connect Moderator takes the ‘hot seat’ alongside two other Local Guides. Through these sessions, we get to know their stories, passions, and dedication—hoping to inspire more Local Guides to become actively involved in the community. Our July guest Connect Moderator was Adrian, and we shone the spotlight on Marco from Italy and Harrison from the USA.

[Aslam_hossain]

Thank you @Julie_A On the occasion of Connect’s 9th birthday celebration, I would like to send lots of love and best wishes to all my friends.

Here are my answers.

1. Where are you from?

I am from Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.

2. When did you join Connect?

I joined Connect on May 24, 2020, which means I have been enjoying in-person and virtual meetings with my local guide friends for 5 years.

3. How did you first hear about Connect?

This is a pretty funny story! I was having breakfast at a restaurant when a local guide came and sat next to me and saw me taking pictures of food for a review at the restaurant. Then, while talking to him at the breakfast table, we discussed Connect and that’s when I first fell in love with Connect.

4. What time of day/week do you like to see what’s new on Connect?

I check it every day, but more so at night when I sleep, I search for the latest version of Connect and share pictures of my visits to different places with all the local guides.

5. Have you participated in or organized any meet-ups on Connect?

Yes, I have organized 2 local guide meet-ups, in my native Chapainawabganj district of Bangladesh. And I participated in four meet-ups in three districts of Bangladesh.

6. What is your favorite moment on Connect:

My favorite moment on Connect was participating in the Connect Burger Challenge and winning. I have never met a Connect moderator in person, but the moment I had to participate directly with @ShafiulB Bhai at the Mango Festival meet-up last month was really amazing.

7. Tell me about a feature of Connect that you like.

My favorite feature on Connect is “Meetups”. In my opinion, meeting new friends, maintaining long-lasting friendships, learning from each other’s experiences, all of these would not be possible without meeting virtually or in person. But I personally prefer meeting in person.

8. If you could, what features would you add to Connect?

If it were up to me, I would bring back the “Featured” and “Trending” windows from the previous version of Connect. Especially the section where 4 featured posts were displayed when you opened Connect, selected by Googlers. I really miss that scene.

9. Tell us about any work you plan to share or do on Connect this year.

This year, I would like to organize a Connect 9th birthday celebration meet-up again. I plan to organize five meet-ups in at least five districts of Bangladesh this year.

[Rushikesh_joshi]

Happy 9th birthday of Connect.. !
Thankyou @Julie_A for 9 question -9th bday of connect .
I will answer shortly .

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Thanks @Julie_A for bringing out this post. Very curiously waiting to read about our esteemed Local Guides Community. I am happy to share my experiences by way of answering your questions.

Where are you from?
I am from Chennai, INDIA

When did you join Connect?

I joined Connect in the year 2018

How did you learn about Connect in the first place?

I received Emails from Google asking me to join the Local Guides Community. I was curious to learn about Connect and joined immediately.

What time of the day/week do you like to check what’s new on Connect?

2 hours in mornings and 2 hous in nights every day for sure. Sometimes even few hours in afternoons too.

Have you attended or hosted a meet-up on Connect?

I have attended many, many meetups countless national and International. I have hosted and cohosted many meetups. Count on me for conducting more meetups. My first meetup is Spicy Sunday. My favorite meetup is Relieve the Lockdown My first physical cum virtual Meetup is Helping Fishermen Local Businesses, later such meetups became Hybrid meetups.

My attended meetup outside my city Let’s Get Together.

Below is the picture of my all time favorite meetup.

What’s your favorite moment on Connect?

There are many favorite moments. One of my favourite moment on Connect is when my post got featured I got appreciations from Connect Moderators and co Local Guides for a single post. I felt awesome when I first met Local Guides in person. This is the photo album of my Proudest moments as a Local Guide

Tell us about one Connect feature that you love.

I like writing posts. Taking up challenges in writing posts is my favorite. I started writing posts by taking Connect Writing Challenge. WRITING CHALLENGES POSTS

What one feature would you add to Connect if you could?

I would like add NUMBER BADGES for attaining levels. I am Level 8 Local Guide, so I will have 8 extra badges along with other badges.

Tell us about one thing you’re planning to share or do on Connect this year.

I want to make and share more videos about uniqueness of different cultures around the world.

Hope you like my responses . Actually I have restricted my answers and given short responses. Also I have not tagged anyone since I have many great Local Guide friends

[muhammad_ilyas]

Thank you for this amazing QA challenge @Julie_A
I am feeling grateful I was the part of this celebration meetup in Karachi, Pakistan🇵🇰 with @KashifMisidia

I am preparing my answers and posting them soon