I’d like to tell you about my experience of the #usameetup2026 in Key West, FL that happened a couple of weeks ago. I have been a Local Guide for about 7 years and active on Connect and in the Top100 Leaderboards for about 2 ½ years. In that time contributing to Google Maps has become one of my primary hobbies.
Being a Local Guide in the United States can be pretty lonely. You go out, you shoot, you write, and you post by yourself. Sure, hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions see and appreciate what you did, but you have no idea who they are. A lot of hobbies are solitary, but they have clubs-stamp collecting, book clubs, chess clubs (okay, yes it does take two people,but you can practice alone), photography clubs, etc. that meet in person. If you are one of the lucky Local Guides like us, you find Connect and suddenly you don’t feel as alone anymore because you are connected to thousands of other people who share your interest and passion for contributing to Google Maps and making it better for the users and the businesses that are on it. If you are active on Connect then eventually you find other guides that you enjoy exchanging ideas and discussing different parts of being an LG.
If you participate in the monthly Trivia Quiz hosted by Denise and Jay, then you can actually put a face to some of those LG handles you have been chatting with, but still it is all virtual. I talk to my wife about my “LG friends” in Australia, California, Germany, India, and elsewhere; and while I know they aren’t bots, it’s just not the same as sitting together over a meal or a cup of coffee.
Last January Denise started pitching her idea of creating the first Meetup in the USA. I have to admit I was skeptical that anything would come of it; however, the idea of meeting with other LGs face to face was too tantalizing to resist. Since other guides have written about the process that took us from January to the actual meetup on June 4th, I won’t linger on the topic.
I arrived two days early to help Denise get ready for the event. She and Dave were so warm and friendly I couldn’t believe it. I’m so glad that I went early, because it gave me more time to get to know Denise and Dave and because It took me that long to really believe that I was in Key West and that the meetup was going to happen. But it did; 14 LGs, a Googler, and 12 guests. I’m usually pretty nervous in social situations, especially meeting new people. I only knew five other people in the room, but it took all of about 5 minutes to feel completely comfortable and connected to everyone that was there.
[/grid]
Handshakes, hugs, smiles, little gifts from around the world, selfies; all of these things combined to make me feel instantly comfortable with my new friends.
The camaraderie, the laughter along with the warmth of the group was amazing. The group was both diverse and welcoming. We ranged in age from 7 months to 72 years. While Zach, the youngest, got lots of attention from everyone, as the ‘old guy’, I could tell everyone was watching out to make sure I could keep up and didn’t forget my walking stick.
[PHOTOS: Group Photos / Walking Stick]
I talked with everyone that came, and one of my wishes for the meetup, to find out people’s backstories, came true. Even though it was a short time together, I now consider all of these people real friends.
One of my personal highlights leading up to the trip was helping to build the Key West Discovery Challenge. Denise had come up with a creative and cooperative game, and helping the digital scavenger hunt system come to life after spending so much time tweaking the automated workbooks and spreadsheet formulas was incredibly rewarding. But actually doing the hunt with everyone took the fun to a whole new level. Watching the LGs dive into the challenges, coordinate photo submissions, and track the live scoreboard added such a brilliant spark of friendly competition to the weekend.
That shared energy came from exploring the island together transformed a tourist destination into a magical place. I loved touring the iconic sites of Key West, framing shots, and updating Maps alongside my new friends. Standing together at the Southernmost Point, capturing the classic architecture, and sharing photography tips under the island sun was an experience I won’t forget. Having a crew of fellow guides who were just as excited as I was to stop, photograph, and appreciate every landmark made the sightseeing feel like a true celebration of our hobby.
The rain, the tutus, the roosters, the laughter, all combined to make a perfect get together.
One of the highlights for me was taking three other guides to a little restaurant I found, Frita’s Ice Cream, for Affogatos one evening. Sitting there relaxing after a busy day, enjoying our desserts, sharing photos, and laughing about the day, I realized this was ‘the moment’ I had been looking for.
This was when I knew that the effort and time we put into making the meetup happen was worth every second and all the energy.
This was a historic meetup in a historic location. It seems to me that Key West was the ideal place to start annual USA meetups. We had spent months talking about how quirky Key West would be, but it didn’t begin to prepare me for how very quirky it actually is:
-
A rooster on the roof of my hotel crowing at 5:30 AM.
-
Chickens and roosters wandering through stores, around gas stations, and just about any place you went.
- The Pride Week parade and festival.
- Finding an antique organ from my hometown in VT in the maritime museum.
I will treasure my time in Key West as long as I live. Thank you to all the organizers who helped make it happen and to all the folks who came and made it so special.
I haven’t gone into a lot of detail about the planning or the events that we did. To read more about those things please check out these posts.
Here is my video memory of the Meetup
Other Recaps you should read!
@Denise_Barlock: The Official Recap From Welcome Hugs to Rainy-Day Adventures: #USAMeetup2026 Part 1
@jayasimha78 : Making History in Paradise: A Look Back at the Key West USA Meetup
@SoniaK: From Surveys to Sunsets: The Story of Our First #USAMeetup
@JustJake: Key West Vibes & Community Ties: The First USA Local Guides Meetup
@JustJake: Part 2 - Key West Vibes & Community Ties: The First USA Local Guides Meetup
@JessicaBerg: From a +1 to LG6
@BrittanyShae: Introduce Yourself — June 2026 - #135 by BrittanyShae
I’ve tried to tell others how something like this feels .. Especially since you are experiencing with new friends! Our Key West weekend will also stay with me forever.
I could have used another old guy to stick with me; those young kids were wearing me out. 
Jessica
that I had not been in New York and that we’d never met face to face before. It was so funny and yet it showed how quickly we all connected once we were together. 
