CONFLUENCE - LOCAL GUIDES MEET THE GOOGLE TEAM AS CONNECT LIVE 2020 IS CALLED OFF

Meet-ups
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This morning/afternoon/night depending on your time zone, many of us received the shocking news that ‘Connect Live 2020’ had been cancelled. :astonished:

I can imagine what great plans you had, :thinking: even as the possibility of you being selected amongst the 700,000 nudged at one corner of your mind!

‘We’ all applied, yeah? and greatly anticipated the event too! T

How does this cancellation make you feel, To be honest?

On Google’s part, they have taken the time and effort to;

  • immediately draw up an FAQ
  • immediately give you a badge, recognizing your time and effort
  • they have apologized
  • they have stated the reasons for the cancellation

AFTERMATH OF THE CANCELLATION FOR THE TEAM

In my mind, I am thinking; for a Gryffindor like the Madam herself; Tracic, you don’t know what this cancellation means?!

One principal attribute of Gryffindors is that they are ‘daring’!

Do you know how many people called out at Tracic to postpone the application deadlines? She defiantly turned them down, she was determined to meet all of us! Like Tracic, a great part of the Google Connect Team, was willing to risk it all but preparations need to be made, right?

In the current circumstances, is it feasible? What’s the point in hosting a party your guests cannot attend? What was the point of selecting 200, only for 195 to get their visa applications rejected. :see_no_evil:

It’s not like this was Tracic’s decision alone to make, but my point is; “it was a very difficult decision!”.

If it’s heart-breaking for you, it is ‘heart-rending’ for the Google Team!

It’s like you creating something, and then destroying the thing with your own hands because you realize that if it is ‘borne’, there was no chance of survival.

AFTERMATH OF THE CANCELLATION FOR THE LOCAL GUIDES

We made sacrifices too, right? some of us went for;

  • English-speaking tutorials
  • spa sessions (to look good for the camera :grinning: :see_no_evil: )
  • Photo Shoot
  • Makeup sessions
  • expensive trips

All in a bid to be outstanding among over 161,000 people! It hurts, right? Just imagine how much more interesting 2021’s will be?! It will be 2 events in one! A make-up for 2020 and the 2021 Connect Live!

In the meantime, we have this expansive, informative forum; Connect. So,on our part, we should be;

  • Understanding
  • supportive as we have always been
  • Continue to share, like I stated in this post ; we Local Guides do not share just for accolades but because sharing is important to us…

THE CONFLUENCE

This is the point where the Google team and the Local Guides meet; this is our Confluence, as we continue to pray for a quick recovery of the whole world from the COVID-19 Pandemict, we will strive to continue to make Connect as peaceful and as habitable for one another as possible. :grin:

Here’s to a beautiful one year of continuing friendship and connecting until we get the chance to see in2021 :wine_glass:

Much Love to all :blush: :heavy_heart_exclamation:

Confluence where the two great Nigerian Rivers meet; Rivers Niger and Benue.
Confluence where the two great Nigerian Rivers meet; Rivers Niger and Benue.604×453 46.8 KB

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@Ewaade_3A , applause for your optimistic and clear message! A Scorpions song is playing in my head: the best is yet to come - I know, you know…". Local Guides is much more than a Connect Live once a year.

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Thanks for sharing your feeling, @Ewaade_3A . I was ready to write exactly the same, but my moderator badge was stopping me, because some people consider me part of the team, more than a Local Guide, and it is more appropriate if this post come from a newcomer, someone like you that encountered the community and had the feeling of being at home.

I will write a post about what Connect Live is, about the tireless activity of the team to give to the attendees the best possible experience. An unforgettable moment, coordinate from the breakfast to midnight by a team that is taking care of every minimum details. After three years, I know how much energy Google is putting on the most important event related to Google Maps, and I know how much difficult is to say “no”.

Here we are at home, here we grow up to be better Local Guides, here we share our experience.

My feeling is that Connect will be a bit more quiet on the next days, and many will simply stop to contribute. This will mark a different, between the ones who wants to really improve, and the ones who was coming just for a free trip.

Thanks for your energy, your message is great.

See you in Connect on the next days

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@Ewaade_3A So true :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

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New comer, baby of the house, this baby is a one month old baby and can make little movements already :joy:

but to a Father, his child never grows! :rofl: I guess I will always be a ‘baby’ a.k.a. new comer on Connect to you. @ErmesT

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It’s the way I feel.

I really feel for the Google team, Ermes

I remember some time in 2016, I was asked to Co-chair a Planning team for a very big event! I had the threefold task of raising funds, managing the funds and making key decisions as to how the money will be expended.

A day before the day that was scheduled for the Brochure ‘launching ceremony’, I had to call off the ceremony :sob:

The backlash was terrible! ‘You always feel you know all’, blah blah blah and on and on, they went!

Little did they know that I had stayed out for over 3 days, camping out with the Printers, cross-checking, every word and every picture, to ensure it was up to taste and standard of something that had ‘my name’ on it. Yeah, I check not only my food but everything that has my name on it.

When this happened today, I felt very bad for the impending backlash that may come to the Google team.

I have worn these shoes before and I know just how it feels both on the part of the team and on the part of the attendees.

I just want to relieve the tension a little @ErmesT

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Pri, you did not tell me part of the responsibilities of being your friend was getting a decoding machine.

Now, what is so true? @PriyankaU :joy:

No, I have refused! You won’t give me headache this evening

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Local Guides is much more than a Connect Live once a year

This here, is the level of optimism and positive vibes I want on here! @YuliiaZa

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Every line is written with true heart… I was feeling the same as you did but we don’t have any options either… I hope that in 2021 all the 200 guest arrive for that party…

Book an appointment with a spa :joy: :joy: :joy: as you’ll need before the next video…

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@Ewaade_3A :joy: :joy: :joy:

I mean I feel the same way.

It seems I can always identify with the experiences you describe.

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:joy:

Our first bond was over ‘Pain’; a life-changing circumstance. When you find yourself in such a situation, it gives a great deal of time for introspection.

I am the Nigerian Priyanka then :rofl: @PriyankaU

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@Ewaade_3A

The skill you have introduced is unprecedented. You also know how to share happiness and also know how to be happy. This post is a proof of your genius. I am Thankful for your wonderful view about the merger of two rivers, but Connect connects our hearts.

@LiliSol @iclirius @Hadjira @FalguniP @Nyainurjanah

@PriyankaU

@YuliiaZa

@EliKrumova

@rebecaellerf

:tulip: :pray: :tulip:

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Amazing write-up @Ewaade_3A … Every word written by you has a deep meaning. This post is a booster for us who were little disappointed. But, I think now is the time to get up and start contributing again to Google Maps & Connect.

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@rizbab28

As it has been already told you, please kindly stop to overtag people, as this practice is discouraged in Connect.

Thanks for attention

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awww @Tushar18 the Connect live will sure be great but this Connect is ‘Connect Live’ on a budget.

Please do not be disappointed. The team is not at their best, we should cheer them up

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Yes, I totally agree with you @Ewaade_3A …

I completely stand with Local Guides team in their this decision. After all, we are like a family. :grinning:

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@ErmesT

It was regarding the moderators now you say that fellow members also should not be tagged as it’s discouraged by the Connect. Do clear the intention and meaning in absolute manner, so I will remain very specific and as then you will never find the opportunity, it’s dead sure.

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@rizbab28 , as one of the people you tagged several times in posts and comments that were not related to me or several times within a minute or two in the same post just to thank twice for a Kudo, I can say that it’s exhausting and disorienting. It’s natural to tag a person (or a couple) whom you are directly answering to a comment/post. Please think about that.

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@YuliiaZa

Sure !! I will take care.

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awww @rizbab28 this is too cute for words! Thank you

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