Hey All,
I’m new to Local Guides Connect and was wondering how many of you actually received benefits? Is there a link to where I can see what i’m supposed to be eligible for in my region? Where can I connect with other guides in my area? So many questions and difficulty navigating Google for answers 
@Saraaaa Local Guides is a voluntary program with no direct financial reward. There isn’t a fixed reward for different levels of the program. However, once a while, there could be small perks provided to help motivate contributors. Sometimes perks could be announced in LG Connect, so stay active here. And sometimes announced through email.
To set email notification for perks, contributions, product updates etc, head to https://maps.google.com/localguides/home/settings
And you can have a look at this post also which many of the current/previous perks, you can check the details under each link and note the expiry/end date of each
And, there are always Local Guides achievement badges to be obtained and unlocked.
https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Repository-of-lists-of-Perks-for-Local-Guides/m-p/643236/highlight/true#M179651
Regarding how to connect with Local Guides around your area, you can search for post related to where you are for example a city or town name. And you can try to post interesting posts about where you are and request other members from the area to reply or contact yourself. Or search through the many online social media groups of Local Guides as there could be existing groups serving your area.
Here are 2 links to LG communities in Google+ for Canada and Vancouver, you can try to find local friends there.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/112978821847103276698
https://plus.google.com/communities/113884184163116675430
And also tagging @Shirley our Connect moderator is who from Vancouver.
Hope this helps and happy contributing.
Hey @Saraaaa :
I’ve responded to you in another thread about perks and I can understand why you feel it is useful to see what the perks are. As I mentioned, you can provide that feedback in the Ideas Exchange board if you would like a list published somewhere.
To respond to whether or not I’ve received benefits, just earlier this year, I received a free movie ticket, but this was level dependent. Some received a $5 credit for a movie. It’s not a lot, but I don’t really mind it. There may also be special and/or early access to Google features.
You can also read a bit about this on this page “Why be a Local Guide?”
As for finding others in the area, you are more than welcome to post here and also host a meet up, go on photo walks together, etc. I’ve personally been too busy myself to host in the last few months but I know I’ve seen some earlier in the spring/summer.
Thanks @StephenAbraham for the tag!
Hello @Saraaaa ,
It’s nice to see another new Local Guide in our area.
You’ll find that the satisfaction of updating the map can be reward enough. I have been editing Maps for many years now, long before points were available. Watching the local information evolve and knowing you’ve helped others find things in our region is quite satisfying.