On Saturday the 30th of November 19, Cameroon Local Guides had their first supported meet-up. Several weeks before I was approached to be the meet-up organizer. We then discussed and worked to make it happen.
After choosing a meeting room and a restauration vendor that could handle our meet-up comfortably, I submitted a proposed budget to covert the likely directs costs associated to the meetup. After approval, I could post the meet-up on connect platform for people to RSVP.
Local Guides team reached some quality Local Guides via direct email which led to the maximum (50) RSVP for the meet-up in only 02 Days. I attracted a few more using social media but unfortunately, they could RSVP because the maximum was reached.
Base on the RSVPs 50 peoples were expected. I think a lot of them just RSVP because they received an email from Google. Of those registered 12 showed up while 03 others were members of our Cameroon Local Guides WhatsApp group that could not RSVP and 03 that contacted me from my post on connect and Instagram. At the end 20 peoples attended to this meet-up (our best score so far in Cameroon).
Arrived at 9am Djoni, Desmond, Blaise, Sharer and myself met up at Active Space and finalize together meeting chairs and tables setting up while waiting others.
As per our meetup agenda, we started with participants presentations. People were invited to give their name, their level on Local Guides program, how they like contributing and how they get the information about the meet-up. Out of the attendees, most had never attended any kind of Local Guides meet-up and had no idea on what to expect beyond what they were told in the email announcements.
The learning session started as the second point. Base on my previous experience, I had prepared a power point presentation to provide guidance about:
- Google Maps application presentation.
- How to create places on Google Maps.
- How to add pictures in Google Maps.
- How to correct spam on Google Maps.
- How to add Street View pictures a using smart phone
The third point of our agenda started by Lily Asongfac experience. She shared with us her experience as Local Guides and Crowdsource Influencer from Buea town and how she started contributing to Google Maps. She invited other local guides to go often on Local Guides Connect web site to gather information’s about the program and announcement that could inspired their contribution.
Desmond after introducing himself, share us his experience with Google My Business application. He invited Local Guides explain as much as they can to businesses owners that this app give them many advantage as well as a free website page for adverting on Google Maps.
After the classroom session, we started on the Geo-Walk visiting various businesses on the “Boulevard de la Liberté” street to apply some of tips leaned previously. You can follow along with the Geo-Walk Itinerary . As an example, Lorraine Shu as happy to add her first place on Google Maps (Hansgrohe).
Even the rain that started fallen did not affect our motivation for this walk.
Our Geo-Walk end at Papa Poulet Restaurant where we took place. Before having the lunch ordered, Michael Brobst stood up to tell us about his experience as photographer and how his contribution can push tourism in our country. He regretted the fact that the Cameroonian authorities are reluctant to grant authorizations to photographers. He reminded participants with regret that photography of public buildings was prohibited. He made the proposition to Cameroon Local Guides Community to build up a legal association that will grant authorization to public administration for their activities.
Edouard Tamba our photograph blogger speaker told us how happy he was to joined us at the restaurant and to share his experience with us. He brought the difference between the Maps Maker of which he was a contributor and the Local Guides program. He appreciated the new program and invited the participants to contribute. He emphasized everything like his predecessor the importance of our contributions to the development of the country’s tourism sector.
We finished by having lunch, we enjoyed the boneless chicken with a lot of potato and plantain chips (fires) and drinks. The participant’s joy was perceptible at the end. They were very motivated to take part in a future meet-up.
Although I can say that everything went well, the absence of many peoples that RSVP is nevertheless to underline. To avoid such situation, one of the solution could be to increase RSVP maximum number or to open it. Francois Xavier recommend us to use WordPress MeetUp platform to communicate about the next coming meet-ups. He promised to help us in communication at the next events. He also promised to help in designing the posters and banners.
You can see a selection of images in the Shared Album and on Video on YouTube
Thanks to the Local Guides team for the amazing opportunity to be the organizer of this supported meet-ups.