With just 21 days until Connect Live, I thought it would be fun to look back at our previous events for new members of our community or those excited to relive past years.
Before I share some of my favorite memories, it’s important to start with what Connect Live is: it’s a global event to bring together and celebrate top contributors from our Local Guides community. While attendees represent all kinds of backgrounds and interests, each attendee was selected from thousands of applications, is Level 5+ on Google Maps, and is active in the Local Guides program. Being active in the Local Guides program can include contributing regularly on Google Maps, being active in their local areas by hosting meet-ups, or being extra helpful right here on Connect.
In 2016, we held our first-ever Local Guides Summit with 75 Local Guides from 37 different countries.
The clear highlight from this year was that it was our first-ever global event. The energy in the room that first evening of our Welcome Reception was palpable; Local Guides were hyped and if you thought that energy went down throughout the Summit, you’d be wrong! Alumni from this event still talk daily via Google Hangouts and affectionately call themselves “The 75.”
Take a look back by checking out #lgsummit16 on social media or by viewing our official event album.
In 2017, we hosted our second Local Guides Summit (#lgsummit17) with 151 Local Guides from 50 different countries.
One of my favorite things about this event was that we had an opportunity to give attendees more free time to explore San Francisco before our closing party. This meant Local Guides explored the Presidio or San Francisco on their own with a trusty BART pass. Attendees have nicknamed the 2017 event the “Best Summit Ever.”
Take a look back by checking out #lgsummit17 on social media or by viewing our official event album or recap video on YouTube. Watching it still gives me chills!
This year, we’re expecting 151 attendees from 59 different countries. This event will be different than ever before, and programming will offer even more opportunities for Local Guides to connect with one another, and the Googlers who work on their favorite features. That’s why we’re calling it Connect Live.
I don’t want to share too much but we have a lot of exciting things planned for this year’s event both for attendees and those of you following along at home, so be sure to keep an eye right here on Connect as well as on social media using #localguidesconnect. There are 151 folks who are pumped to share their experiences with you, as well as 60+ Googlers who will be sharing their memories (including me, of course!).
All the best to all involved/participating in CL2018!!
