This July, Connect celebrates an incredible milestone—10 years of bringing Local Guides together from every corner of the world.
For me, Connect has always been much more than a forum. It introduced me to people who started as usernames on a screen, became travel companions, and eventually turned into lifelong friends.
One of my favorite memories dates back to 2017, just before the Local Guides Summit. Fourteen Local Guides from 11 different countries, most of whom had never met in person before, planned a road trip to Yosemite National Park. Everything—from the planning to the conversations—happened through Connect. We knew each other only through our interactions on Connect, yet we trusted one another enough to embark on an unforgettable adventure together.
That road trip became so much more than a vacation. It was the beginning of friendships that have lasted nearly a decade. We’ve continued to meet around the world, celebrate milestones together, support one another through life’s ups and downs, and become an extended family.
To celebrate Connect’s 10th anniversary, I’m inviting these lifelong friends to join me for a special conversation as we look back on that incredible journey, share our favorite memories, and reflect on how Connect has enriched our lives far beyond maps and contributions.
But this meetup isn’t just about our story.
If you’ve ever made a meaningful friendship through Connect, attended a meetup, traveled with fellow Local Guides, or met someone who was once just a profile picture and a username, we’d love to hear your story too. Join us as we celebrate the friendships that Connect has made possible over the past decade.
Let’s celebrate 10 years of Connect—and the friendships that will last a lifetime.
Meetup Details
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM Central Daylight Time (CDT) / 2:00 PM GMT (UTC)
Location: Virtual
Please RSVP to receive the meetup link before the meetup day.
Part of a Bigger Celebration:
This virtual meetup is proud to be part of @KashifMisidia’s initiative to bring community members together from all around the world to celebrate Connect’s 10th anniversary! Huge thanks to Kashif for inspiring us to gather and honor a decade of community.
I hope you’ll join us as we celebrate a decade of Connect and the lifelong friendships it has helped create!
but I would still love to come and support the meet-up you’ve put together and say hello to everyone! 
