Join the Global Wave: Celebrate 11 Years of Local Guides & 10 Years of Connect!

[NareshDarji]

Happy New Year, Local Guides!

Get ready to celebrate two incredible milestones!

This year is packed with celebrations! On January 15th, the Local Guides program turns 11! We are also marking a special decade of community with the 10th Anniversary of Connect!

For 11 years, Local Guides have enriched the map with invaluable contributions, helping people explore the world. For a decade, Connect has been our home to share those stories. It’s time to celebrate these achievements and the impact we’ve had on how we navigate and experience the world together.

But that’s not all—we have big news: Connect Live 2026 is coming! Get ready for the return of our global gathering! Do you want to participate in the Connect@10 video? We are creating a special tribute to celebrate a decade of connection, and we want you to be part of it!

Connect@10 Celebration Video Guidelines

What to Film:

• Action: Your group dancing, cheering.
• Vibe: High energy, happy, and celebratory.
• Length: 5–10 seconds.

Technical Specs:

• Format: Landscape / Horizontal (16:9) only.
• Quality: HD (1080p) or 4K.
• Audio: Feel free to shout “Celebrating 10 years of Connect” (Please avoid background music and editing)

We’re collecting short celebration videos from Local Guides around the world. Please share your video using this form.

🌏 Let’s Unite Global Community

Let’s show our love for the program! It’s amazing to think about all the places we’ve discovered, the businesses we’ve supported, and the friendships we’ve made. Let’s make this 11th anniversary and the road to Connect Live 2026 truly memorable.

To mark this special occasion, let’s focus on two key ways to celebrate:

• Contribute to Google Maps: Continue adding quality contributions to further enhance the platform.

• Host Meet-ups: Organize worldwide meet-ups to share the skills we’ve acquired and celebrate the #LocalGuides and #Connect anniversaries together.

📅 Join the Celebration

I invite you to organize meet-ups from January 5th, 2026, to February 28th, 2026. Let’s create a two-month-long wave of celebration to contribute, connect, and showcase the power of the Local Guides community!

💡 Meet-up Ideas:

Organize a meet-up around one of these themes (solo or small groups):

• :Supporting Small Businesses Walk: Visit and review local businesses.

• Map Editing Walk: Improve map data through edits and additions.

• : Geo Walk: Explore hidden gems and landmarks in your city.

• Photo Walk: Capture stunning photos of places and share them on Maps.

• : Food Crawl: Discover local culinary gems and share your experiences.

• Accessibility Walk: Identify and document accessibility features.

• :Knowledge Sharing Meet-up (Outdoor/Virtual): Share tips and best practices for using Local Guides.

• Virtual Meet-ups: Connect online to share your Local Guides journey and favorite memories from the last 11 years.

📝 How to Create Your Meet-up

Choose any one of the above topics. You can create your meet-up on the site of your choice. Once you create a meet-up, please submit your link here in the comments so we can track our global impact!

Suggested Naming Convention: `[#LocalGuides11] [MeetupName]

Examples:

• [#LocalGuides11] Gandhinagar Map Editing

• [#LocalGuides11] Indonesia Photo Walk

• [#LocalGuides11] Argentina Local Guides Geo Walk

• [#LocalGuides11] Mexico City Accessibility Walk

Tip: For help on organizing a successful event, check out @MoniDi’s post How to Organize a Successful Meet-up and guide on Write Engaging Meet-up Recaps.

Let’s use the hashtags #LocalGuides11 and #Connect**@10** to share our celebrations and connect with Local Guides worldwide.

We are so grateful for your time, passion, and contributions. Let’s make this a grand anniversary celebration together!

Note: Tag us when your meet-up is approved so we can update it here in the main post.

Regards,

Naresh Darji & @KashifMisidia

#LetsGuide #LocalGuides

[NareshDarji]

Reserve for meet-ups

Country	Date	Meet-up Link	Host	Recap
Indonesia	11th January 2026	[In-Person] Indonesia, January 11, [#LocalGuides11] Kawi : Snap, Edit And Connect	@Dinithea	Recap
Mexico	11th January 2026	[Virtual] Mexico, January 11, #LocalGuides11 - Platiquemos de Connect en Español	@LightRich	Recap
Indonesia	16th January 2026	[In-Person] Indonesia, January 16, [#LocalGuides11] Kayutangan Storefront Photo Walk	@irulmusmus	Recap
Mexico	11th January 2026	[In-Person] Mexico, January 11, [#LocalGuides11] Choco Story	@LaloPadilla	Recap
Indonesia	17th January 2026	Recap: [Virtual] India, Meet-up #708, January 17, Ghumakkad Gossip V2: 🤝 Meet-ups Simplified: Why, What, How & Recaps	@doc_dells	Recap
India	17th January 2026	[Virtual] India, January 17, Ghumakkad Gossip V2: 🤝Meet-ups Simplified: Why, What, How & Recaps	@kumaarsantosh	Recap
USA	22nd January	[In-Person] United States, January 22, Buckeye Guides Meet Up	@Mikeinthefalls	Recap
Indonesia	17th January	[In-Person] Indonesia, January 17, #LocalGuides11 Masjid KH. Ahmad Dahlan Gresik Accessibility Walk	@ISAIKBALULSURUR	Recap
Indonesia	13th January	[In-Person] Indonesia, January 13, #LocalGuides11 Support Small Business : Dapur Zee	@AnisaAe	Recap
Indonesia	17th January	[In-Person] Indonesia, January 17, [#LocalGuides11] Air Terjun Nglirip Tuban Photo Walk	@doni_hariadi	Recap
Indonesia	17th January	[In-Person] Indonesia, January 17, #LocalGuides11 Abirama Tuban Food Crawl	@AnisaAe	Recap
Indonesia	13th January	[In-Person] Indonesia, January 13, #LocalGuides11 Segarnya Alam: Eksplorasi Pemandian Kalireco, Lawang Geo Walk	@ISAIKBALULSURUR	Recap
Indonesia	17th January	[In-Person] Indonesia, January 17, [#LocalGuides11] Pantai Remen Tuban Geo Walk	@Andhyka	Recap
India	18th January	[In-Person] India, January 18, [#LocalGuides11] Old Ahmedabad City Heritage Walk	@Vikramsingh_Valera	Recap
India	25th January	[In-Person] India, January 25, Accessibility and Food crawl Walk - Mumbai	@Globe_trotter_Ish	Recap
India	25th January	[In-Person] India, January 25, Wings Over Weir : Eco-Walk & Photography Meet - [LocalGuides11]	@Rushabh	Recap pending
India	21st February	[In-Person] India, February 21, #LocalGuides11 Konkan Calling Part 2 : Geo-Heritage and Food Crawl meetup	@praniketmore	Recap
India	20th February	[In-Person] India, February 20, [#LocalGuides11] Konkan Calling Part 1 : Accessibility and Heritage Walk Meetup	@SayliWalve	Recap
Indonesia	24th January	[In-Person] Indonesia, January 24, Indonesia, January 24, #LocalGuides11 Explore Pasuruan: Madinah van Java & Train Trip Experience Photo Walk	@ISAIKBALULSURUR	Recap
India	18th January	[Hybrid] India, February 01, [#LocalGuides11] Formatting, Tags, and Best Practices While Writing on Local Guides Connect	@SharmaK	Recap
UK	15th January	[#LocalGuides11] Manchester LG January 2026 MeetUp: Celebration Meal	@peteMHW	Recap
Indonesia	19th January	[In-Person] Indonesia, January 19, Masjid Namira Lamongan Accessibility Walk	@Adrianto	Recap
India	25th January	[In-Person] India, January 25, #LocalGuides11 [ Support small business]	@PremalPatel	Recap
India	25th January	[In-Person] India, January 25, #localguides11 Empowering Women on Local Guides Connect!	@RJSheetal	Recap
India	26th January	[In-Person] [#LocalGuides11] India, January 26, Meet UP (In Person) For Workshop on #SustainableMenstrual Pads & Cups	@SonamW	Recap
India	7th February	[Virtual] India, February 07, #LocalGuides11 | Community First Meet-up series | Celebrating 11 Years of Connect forum - Episode 01	@Ajitthite	Recap
Indonesia	7th February	[Virtual] Indonesia, February 07, [#LocalGuides11] Connect through Stories #2: Authentic Guides in the AI Era	@NunungAfuah	Recap
India	25th January	[In-Person] India, January 25, “Winter Flavors of Valsad: Ubadiyu Food Crawl & Local Guides Meetup”	@Tejal	Recap
India	11th February	[Virtual] India, February 11, “11 of 11” Photo Meet-up Challenge	@RtnArulPrakasamT	Recap
India	15th February	[Hybrid] India, February 15, Exploring Satpula Bridge & Park - LocalGuides11	@deepakjhic	Recap
Global	31st January	[Virtual] January 31, #LocalGuides11 Some Great Tips to Develop a LG Community Team	@cuicani	Recap
India	1st February	[Hybrid] India, February 08, #LocalGuides11 Meet-up by Bangalore Local Guides - TravellerG	@TravellerG	Recap
India	28th January	[In-Person] India, January 28, Backwaters Photography Meetup	@GuruKrishnaPriya	Recap
India	8th February	February 08, [In Person]: Sunset Saunter & City Photography at Sabarmati Riverfront #localguides11	@SYED_BKSC	Recap
DRC	30th January	[Virtual] Democratic Republic of the Congo, January 30, #LocalGuides11 | REBUILD COMMUNITY - Team DRC, Tips & Advantages of being LG. Ep7	@Yannick_S	Recap
Indonesia	15th February	[In-Person] Indonesia, February 15, [LocalGuides11] Snap, Edit and Connect #2 : Between Two Malang Zero Points	@Dinithea	Recap
Mexico	11th February	[In-Person] Mexico, February 11, #LocalGuides11 Local Stories & Community: A Cultural Experience at MiBimbo Museum	@Avillac	Recap
Brazil	27th January	[Virtual] Brazil, January 27, [ #LocalGuides11 ] Objetivos para 2026 no maps e connect	@RogerOhayashi	Recap
India	31st January	[In-Person] India, January 31, [#LocalGuides11] India Photo Walk, January 31 - Kala Ghoda Arts Festival	@MerlinThomas	Recap
Mexico	14th February	[In-Person] Mexico, February 14, [#LocalGuides11] ¡Celebremos el Día del Amor y la Amistad en el Salón de la Fama!	@Bere_Marichi	Recap
Bangladesh	1st February	[In-Person] Bangladesh, January 31, Google map helps sustainable eco-tourism in Sonadia Island an Ecologically Critical Area in Bangladesh	@Eshan_Noa	Recap
Global	7th February	[Virtual] February 07, #LocalGuides11 Tips and Best Practices for using Google Maps	@glosings0n	Recap
Mexico	1st February	[In-Person] Mexico, February 01, Teotihuacan, CDMX, Mexico Photowalk	@Jayasimha78	Recap
India	8th February	[In-Person] India, February 08, #LocalGuides11 Food Crawl and Sustainability check at Mahavir Nagar - Mumbai	@MayuriKubal	Recap pending
Indonesia	8th February	[In-Person] Indonesia, February 08, #LocalGuides11 Photowalk and Edu Visit	@AnisaAe	Recap
Malaysia	8th February	[In-Person] Malaysia, February 08, Rediscovering the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in Kuala Lumpur	@StephenAbraham	Recap
India	8th February	[In-Person] India, February 08, Illusions & Exploration: Delhi Local Guides Meetup #localguides11	@AmbrishVarshney	Recap
Indonesia	8th February	[In-Person] Indonesia, February 08, [#LocalGuides11] “Munggahan” of BLG at Butterpie 2.0 Restaurant 🥧	@Khazastronaut	Recap pending
Indonesia	8th February	[In-Person] Indonesia, February 08, #LocalGuides11 Support Small Business Ayam Goreng Sambal Tiga Pendekar	@AnisaAe	Recap
Indonesia	14th February	[Virtual] Indonesia, February 14, #LocalGuides11 Love on the Map - Navigating Life Together	@Rialyzara	Recap
India	21st February	https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t/virtual-india-february-21-virtual-india-february-22-local-guide-11-accessiblity-and-food-crawl-at-manish-nagar-four-bungalow-andheri-west/506777	@RosyKohli	Recap
USA	15th February	https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t/in-person-united-states-february-15-explore-texas/506805	@Erna_LaBeau	Recap
India	17th February	https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t/in-person-india-february-17-localguides11-ujjain-city-spiritual-tour-meetup-photo-walk-and-map-editing/506985	@NandKK	Recap pending
DRC	22nd February	https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t/virtual-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-february-22-localguides11-rebuild-community-team-drc-professional-strategies-for-high-impact-reviews-and-photos-on-google-maps-ep8/507096	@glosings0n	Recap
Mexico	21st February	https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t/in-person-mexico-february-21-localguides11-foto-reto-y-juegos-de-mesa-del-monumento-al-tablero/507238	@Janis_delaluz	Recap
Sri Lanka	26th February	https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t/in-person-sri-lanka-february-26-lets-help-thousands-of-differently-abled-people-in-srilanka-accessibility-photo-walk-negombo/507237	@ravindus	Recap pending
Pakistan	26th February	https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t/in-person-pakistan-february-26-map-editing-and-photo-walk-through-the-heritage-of-lahore-inspiring-ramadan-2026/507198	@Sarbland	Recap
DRC	4th March	https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t/in-person-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-march-04-rebuild-community-teamdrc-photwalk-ucb-campus-mulindwa-ep9/509142	@Yannick_S	Recap

[SharmaK]

This post reminded me of the #LG10 celebration, which also started with your post on Connect in 2025 and went on to create a record number of meet-ups hosted by the community in 2025.

Now, once again, you’ve come up with a unique idea for celebrating #Connect@10 by creating a short celebration clip. It’s inspiring to see how your ideas continue to bring the community together and spark collective participation. Looking forward to seeing this celebration grow just like #LG10 did!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year 2026!

Mapping local, creating global

[Shrut19]

नमस्कार
@NareshDarji
हम सभी लोकल गाईड्स को नववर्ष कि शुभकामनाए

[ISAIKBALULSURUR]

Happy 11th Anniversary Local Guides and 10 years of Connect!
As a graphic designer and Local Guide from Sidoarjo, Indonesia, I am thrilled to join the Global Wave! I’m planning to host a ‘Supporting Small Businesses Walk’ to celebrate this milestone and help our local community thrive. Let’s make this decade celebration unforgettable

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Wishing you @NareshDarji and the Local Guides Community throughout the Globe A VERY VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026. Your celebration video is very much encouraging. Surely will join hands together. I will try my best to attend all the meetups in 2026 and also conduct meetups.

I particularly love your meetups and looking forward for many more to come. Will join the Global wave in celebrations of 11 years of Local Guides. Once again wishing you a very happy new year.

[Rushikesh_joshi]

Happy new year @NareshDarji and all Local guides community.

Happy 11 year of local guide connect .

[Noorx1302]

Happy new year @NareshDarji and the local guide community.

[NareshDarji]

To honor a decade of sharing, mapping, and connecting, we’re calling on YOU to host a meet-up in your city.
@SharmaK @Shrut19 @ISAIKBALULSURUR @Rushikesh_joshi @Noorx1302 @Gurukrishnapriya

[Kumaarsantosh]

From what I have observed, January 1^st seems almost reserved for you @NareshDarji to share such noble and inspiring messages - messages that encourage collaboration, strengthen bonds, and bring the Local Guides community closer together.

For me, a meet-up has never been about achieving a number or meeting a target; it is about creating meaningful gatherings of like-minded individuals who come together with a shared purpose. These interactions foster true cohesion and collaboration, all anchored around a common theme that unites and inspires.

The way this initiative was announced last year through Celebrating 10 Years of Local Guides: Let’s Connect and Contribute! created a truly magical momentum within the community. That spark grew into something extraordinary, as beautifully highlighted by @SharmaK in India 2025 : Meet-ups at a Glance, showcasing the astonishing achievement of over 250 meet-ups conducted by Indian Local Guides in 2025. This milestone stands as a testament to the collective passion, commitment, and unity of the community.

Your current post serves as a powerful reminder of why we are all here and what we are building together. The purpose is clear, the vision is shared, and all the necessary supporting resources are already in place. What remains is simply that one step - choosing to be part of the momentum that was created last year and carrying it forward with the same enthusiasm and dedication.

I stand with you, dear @NareshDarji and @KashifMisidia, and with the entire community, ready to celebrate 11 years of Local Guides in whatever capacity and within whatever boundaries I can. Together, let us continue to build, connect, and grow stronger than ever.

Wishing you all a very happy new year 2026!

[Gvipin]

@NareshDarji
Happy 11th Anniversary Local Guides and 10 years of Connect!

Happy New Year to All Local guides Family.

[VikramSingh_Valera]

Happy 11th Anniversary Local Guides and 10 years of Connect! @NareshDarji

[Np45]

Happy New Year, everyone!

Such a proud moment to celebrate 11 years of Local Guides and 10 years of Connect. Really happy to be part of this amazing community and learn from everyone.

Your work for the community is truly amazing, thank you for all the effort @NareshDarji
I am hoping for an invitation for Connect 2026
Looking forward to many more memories and contributions together

[NunungAfuah]

Awesome challenge, @NareshDarji! I’ve already done my meetup submission for this month, so I’ll definitely join the virtual one next month. Good luck to all!

[Anil6969]

Wonderful idea @NareshDarji bhai

Keep bonding @KashifMisidia Bhai and inspiring.

Regards

Anil6969

[PrasadVR]

Hello @NareshDarji, @KashifMisidia, It’s so exciting to celebrate 11 years of Local Guides and a full decade of Connect. Thank you for this global wave of celebration initiative. I’m inspired to host a meet-up in my city. Let’s make these anniversaries unforgettable.

[AjitThite]

@NareshDarji bhai,
Fantastic opportunity for many who wish to host the first meet-up or first post; he/she can really look into these details and start working on it.
We are here to help anyone.

Cheers!

[SayliWalve]

That’s a great initiative, we are already planning some meet-ups this year, will share the details soon

@Praniketmore @Sagarkanherkar @ShubhamWaman @DurgaK03 @Rushikesh_joshi @Shrut19

[Premalpatel]

Hello @NareshDarji really exited for 2026. Thank you for starting Global Wave i will surely arrange Meet-ups to celebrate LG11

[Rushikesh_joshi]

Sure , we will plan and host meetup soon @NareshDarji .

Thanks .