Since I’m new to the area, I’d love to connect with other local members! Meeting new people who share the same passion for exploring, reviewing, and highlighting great spots is always a blast—so why not kick off our very first meetup?
Here’s the plan:
We’ll meet up downtown and take a casual walking tour to check out a few fantastic local businesses together. We can vote as a group on which spots to visit, sample what they have to offer, and leave some awesome reviews along the way!
Whether you’re a seasoned Level 10 guide or just getting started, everyone is welcome. Come hang out, share your favorite Local Guide stories, and help make this first gathering a great one. Hope to see you there!"
@Gama3@Shaker There’s a North America Local Guides group chat on Telegram where you can meet other Local Guides in North America (USA & Canada). If you’re interested, feel free to speak to @SoniaK or @Denise_Barlock to get access/info!
That sounds like a great plan! I only wish it wasn’t so far from my place, lol. Just kidding—I’ll be there! Thank you @Gama3 for hosting this. It’s about an hour’s drive from where I live (yes, I’ve lived in Texas long enough to measure distance by driving time), but I don’t want you to have the same experience I did when I hosted an in-person meetup. @rtsayles, what do you think? Can you join, too?
@Shaker I’ve been hosting meetups in Dallas for the last 7 or 8 years, and I’ve never had more than 3 or 4 people show up. In fact, the last one I hosted was just three of us: me, my husband, and a friend—so don’t be discouraged! Here are a few key lessons I’ve learned over the years:
Plan early & avoid holidays: Try not to overlap with long weekends or public holidays, as people usually travel. A Saturday evening or Sunday brunch usually yields the best turnout.
Account for dietary needs: Pick a venue with diverse menu options. For instance, I don’t eat pork, so I avoid places with pork-heavy menus. Keep vegetarians and vegans in mind, too.
Skip overly crowded or noisy spots: Many people still prefer to avoid tight crowds, and if a venue is too noisy, it’s hard to actually talk and connect.
Choose an accessible budget: Not everyone wants to drop a lot of cash on a casual gathering. Picking an affordable spot ensures cost isn’t a barrier.
Good luck with your next meetup! If I’m ever in Las Vegas, I’ll be sure to reach out. In the meantime, you have an open invitation to the DFW area—if you don’t mind the heat, come explore Texas!
Hi @Gama3 and @Shaker! Yes, we just started a new Telegram group to bring together all Local Guides from North America under one roof. If you’re interested in joining, send me a PM and I’ll send over the invite link.
Thank you @AdrianLunsong! I’ve been meaning to set this up ever since our first USA meetup, but I kept putting it off. Your comment gave me the nudge I needed to finally get it done, so double thanks for that!
@SoniaK That’s awesome. I’m just up the road in Dallas County, near Las Colinas and the Toyota Music Factory. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make this one because of a scheduling conflict, and my summer travel schedule has been pretty crazy.
Let’s definitely plan something soon. Maybe @SoniaK@Gama3 and I can work together to organize something more centrally for the DFW area. The DFW Metroplex is such a unique location, and it would be great to bring back photo walks, get more contributors involved, and maybe even create some DFW-exclusive swag.
Enjoy tomorrow, take plenty of pictures, and I’d love to connect soon so we can help jump-start our local community and get events going more often again.
Hi @Gama3 I am sorry to let you know that I won’t be able to make it today. I have a family emergency and I have to rush to the hospital now. My FIL fell sick. Hope to see you all next time. Sorry for cancelling this last minute. Wishing you all the best for the meetup. I will look forward to the recap. Please tag me in your recap so that I don’t miss it.
