Hey Google,
First of all, thanks very much for this opportunity; and for organizing the world’s information and making it universally accessible!
I am Gowtham, a Local Guide from a small town in India.
India is one of those places, where internet is slowly making its presence felt. I am an avid traveler, and when I travel to places less explored, I find it very hard explore the “good” places as the info is not available. During these situations, Google Maps has been a great friend to me on countless occasions. The crowd sourcing of reviews, ratings, and feedback is of immense help to the community, and to me specifically.
This architecture made me understand that more I help the community, the more help I am going to receive from it. This was the motivating factor in me becoming a local guide — enabling me to write honest reviews in the locality and I live, and to the places I travel. Specifically, I am very interested in reviewing my own locality as I want travelers and tourists to experience the best of my hometown. I am also witnessing a surge in the local economy as more and more places are reviewed over the time, as the reviews make the travelers comfortable, and the providers like a restaurant or a hotel more accountable.
What was once called "word of mouth” has been completely replaced by Google Maps and Reviews for the betterment of human lives.
I would like to be at the SF event to learn more from the other local guides and the Google community. This would help understand the platform better, and understand from others how to make the best use out of it.
I just want end by appreciating and thanking the folks at Google for making our lives simpler and easier!