Questions about Connect Live Event in Tokyo 🇯🇵

[NandKK]

Thank you dear @Do_Quang_Chi

I had asked this question, on behalf of all forum members, who are confused like me, who all will receive the invitation.

[MoniDi]

Hello @Do_Quang_Chi,

Please refrain from sharing external links on Connect as it may be considered as self-promotion or advertising.

[Do_Quang_Chi]

Cảm ơn đã nhắc nhở @MoniDi

[NandKK]

Hello, @MoniDi

I hope you will be Hale and Hearty with full of enthusiasm. Thank you again for taking the time to share the Connect Live Tokyo 2025 invitation criteria:

• Consistent, positive involvement with the Local Guides community (e.g., serving as a Connect Moderator, hosting meet‑ups, or contributing actively on Connect)
• Valuable contributions to Google Maps within the past 12 months
• A Local Guides Level of 7 or higher, and 18 years of age or older
• A diverse mix of new and veteran Local Guides from around the world

I have great respect for these guidelines and for Google’s policies. However, I noticed in the attached screenshot that one of our fellow Local Guides ( @MasaruKamikura )—whose last post, reply, or comment on Connect was seven years ago—recently received an invitation. This seems to fall outside the stated recency and activity requirements, isn’t it.

Could you please help us understand how the invitation selection process works? Is there an additional algorithm or factor that we haven’t seen in the published criteria, or might this be a one‑off exception? I’m simply seeking clarity so that our community fully understands how invitations are extended.

Thank you for your patience and for any further insight you can provide. I appreciate your assistance and look forward to your response.

Just an off-topic fun fact! In many Hindi‑speaking parts of India, we lovingly call our big sisters “Didi” (often shortened to “Di”). So if your sister’s name is Priya, we might cheerfully call her “Priyanka Di.”
By that logic, your name “MoniDi” turns into “Moni Di”—which basically crowns you the honorary Big Sister of the group! Consider it our way of showing affection and a little extra respect. It’s a warm, sisterly salute, Indian‑style!

[MasaruKamikura]

I guess you mean it’s surprising I got invited to Connect Live since I haven’t posted in this community for a while.
The invitation criteria involve various factors, but they don’t release the specifics.
So, it seems like posting frequently in this Local Guides community isn’t the only thing that matters.

If they announced the invitation criteria publicly, I bet more people would focus solely on meeting those requirements just to get invited.
That’s probably why I doubt they’ll ever release the specific details.

[Eve_ymelon]

Hello @MoniDi , regarding the invitation, I would like to confirm that if the invitation letter is sent from
no-reply-eventsatgoogle@google.com
Is that real? I am really looking forward to participating in the events in Tokyo, thank you everyone.

[MoniDi]

Hi @Eve_ymelon, yes, that is correct. Congratulations!

[NandKK]

Wow, that’s absolutely fantastic news, @Eve_ymelon

Huge congratulations on receiving the invitation! We’re genuinely thrilled for you.

I am also keeping my fingers crossed and hoping to get invited to Tokyo!

[Yannick_S]

Thanks so much @NandKK for this helpful question and thank you so much @MoniDi for the answer!

Many of us had this question but don’t ask it. It would be a great opportunity for us too to receive this invitation, I cross my fingers!

Y-Nick.

[JitendraKumarprasa]

Congratulations Toko yo invitation Live connect given good opportunity nice injoy