Not everyone can attend Connect Live — not due to a lack of qualification, but because life happens. Limited seats, visa hurdles, personal commitments — sometimes the timing just doesn’t work out.
But community isn’t defined by one event. When we choose to meet, connect, and recreate that same energy on our own, we’re building something just as meaningful. When we meet unofficially and try to recreate that Connect Live vibe — or at least come close — that’s what we call an unofficial meetup.
An important role in being a Local Guide is to be the backbone and spirit of any community let event. Hosting unofficial meet-ups is a great way of bringing everyone together for that Connect Live vibe and to celebrate all the joy and fun times it brings in being a Google Local Guide.
When I lived in Bangladesh, I had the opportunity to experience my first ever, in-person unofficial meet-up. With a team of Bangladesh local guides I took an overnight trip to Hum Hum Waterfall. Together, we all laughed and shared stories as we walked the rough paths of the falls. Those were magnificent moments I will always cherish.
To give another example of an unofficial meet-up, I had an opportunity to be one of the Local Guides from 11 countries who joined together for the first time. We were embarking on a road trip to Yosemite National Park– prior to the Local Guide Summit 2017. It was such a blast, bonds and friendships were formed that we all continue to treasure 9 years later, as each person is still in contact from that trip.
Since then, we have had many other road trips. Two of them included Sequoia National Park and Carmel-By-The-Sea. Yet each one has helped to make wonderful friends all while exploring nature’s breathtaking beauty.
I am sharing these stories with you because unofficial meet-ups have helped to bring me closer to the Local Guides who I otherwise may have only been able to see virtually. Putting a face to a username is just as exciting as when you first get to know someone online. These unofficial meet-ups offer a real way to connect and bring the Local Guide community to life.
So you can imagine how thrilled I was when the announcement came out about the very first-ever unofficial #USALocalGuides meetup happening in less than four months! This will be such a wonderful opportunity to meet incredible Local Guides in person and build new friendships. I want to give a huge thanks to @Denise_Barlock for coming up with this brilliant idea and to @JustJake, @Jayasimha78, @rednewt74, @Twyla, and so many other amazing Local Guides working behind the scenes to make this event successful. I feel honored and truly excited to be a part of this humble organizing team.
Meet the team:
In addition to the team above, I’d also like to mention @AdrianLunsong for supporting us with the creative direction — from the logo to the T-shirt design — and for generously sharing his experience from organizing the Euro meetup. His thoughtful suggestions and honest feedback have truly strengthened this event behind the scenes.
Now here’s the exciting part…
Early Registration is officially OPEN!
Event Dates: 4–7 (Main meetup days: 5 & 6)
Registration Fee:
• $50 for Local Guides (T-shirt and swag included)
• $20 for Non–Local Guides (or +1 adult with no t-shirt or swag)
Your registration fee covers our exclusive meetup swag and T-shirt — something you’ll proudly take home as a memory from this historic first event.
Important Dates:
• May 1 – Refund deadline
• May 15 – Final registration deadline
Here’s a sneak peek of the responses to our initial post (sharing with due permission from Alfred)- and we are beyond excited!
84% of those who filled out the interest form are 100% ALL IN! Amazing!
And here’s something even more exciting- 31% of our respondents are joining us from outside the USA!
So, would you like to be part of this first-ever event and make history with us?
Click Registration for #USAMEETUP2026 to complete your early registration and secure your spot:
Click #Meetup2026-calendar to save the calendar
We are ready to welcome you with warm hugs and some wonderful memorabilia you can proudly add to your wall of fame.
Let’s go to Key West.
Let’s keep it salty.
Let’s stay salty. 
#KeyWest2026 #USALocalGuides #USAMeetup
