Local Guide @Maximilianozalazar lives in Buenos Aires and he loves meeting new people. Discovering the city’s “most interesting secrets and most spectacular places” in the company of like-minded Local Guides is what motivates him to host meet-ups. So far, he has taken Local Guides to see the night sky, have a drink, enjoy local festivals, explore temples, and more. He always shares a recap on Connect so, as he says, “the whole world can get to know Buenos Aires from our local perspective.”
Read on to learn more about Maximiliano and his meet-up tips.
Tell us about your first meet-up.
Years ago, I participated in a meet-up by the Local Guides community in Argentina. I had a lot of fun and met @AdroGran , @Cecilita , @EugeGallardo , and @Jesi . We talked a lot about the program and, among other things, they gave me ideas and encouraged me to host my own meet-up.
I finally made up my mind and organized the first one. I was very nervous, but with the help of Euge, who gave me lots of tips, it ended up being a success. You can see the recap here.
What goes into planning a meet-up? How do you choose the theme, place, and activities?
I spend most of my week looking for new spaces to organize interesting meet-ups. I try to follow posts on social media and Connect to get ideas and stay informed about upcoming events, and consult with the community about where they’d like to go and what they’d like to do.
Once I have the idea, I create the route thinking of the other Local Guides, making sure the locations are accessible to everyone so that everyone can have fun. A few days before the meet-up, I go around and take photos to put together the invitation on Connect. I check the working days and times and the capacity of the places we are going to visit.
The community really likes meet-ups where there is food, so I always check what’s offered and if there are vegan or vegetarian options so that everyone is included.
Do you have a favorite meet-up activity?
I have several favorite activities. I love going to places like museums and interactive exhibits where the culture of my country stands out. I feel that, through these events, I can show the world our most beautiful traditions, our delicious gastronomy, and all the wonderful places we have.
I’m also very interested in ecology, so whenever I can, I join environmental meet-ups in my city. Like the one @Cecilita organized last year, where I dressed up as a cigarette to raise awareness about the damage cigarette butts do when thrown on the ground.
What are the three most important things you learned from organizing meet-ups?
1. Organization. You have to be attentive to details: where you are going to go, what you are going to do, and how you are going to do it. Take the weather into account, so unexpected rain doesn’t ruin the fun.
2. Logistics. It is very important to research the place where the meet-up will take place. Make sure it is easily accessible and that there are enough transportation options so everyone can get there.
3. Enjoyment. Something I learned from Cecilita is that even if no one or very few people show up, you always have to enjoy it to the fullest. Another meet-up will come where more people will take part.
Do you have a favorite meet-up?
I loved organizing a visit to an aquarium specializing in corals. We learned a lot about marine life. It was very fun and impressive to see all the fish and corals living in harmony.
What advice would you give to someone organizing their first meet-up?
Do not hesitate, because it’s a very nice experience, and enjoy it to the fullest. Take photos and share them on Connect and Google Maps. There will always be someone to accompany you during the process.
Have you attended any of Maximiliano’s meet-ups? Do you have a question for him? Tell us in the comments below.
Want to see who else is a Meet-up Champion? Read our previous post here.
, siempre pendiente de eventos, tours, y lugares lindos para llevarnos, y ahora también incentivando a otros a organizar también 
