If you’re reading this, you’re the reason I’m here.
Recently 200 Local Guides from around the world were invited to Connect Live 2019 in San Jose. Upon landing into SFO, one of my favorite songs, “Lift Off,” played on my phone - an oxymoron, but lifting-off was my #mood as I got ready to kick-off Connect Live 2019. As many of the recaps by Googlers and other Local Guides dear to me have revealed, Connect Live 2019 was truly “Out of This World” (a nod to the theme of the closing party… maybe “Lift Off” was a sign of things to come). There were so many opportunities to learn from each other, learn from and provide feedback to Googlers, and learn about the value of our contributions and work as Local Guides. And of course, there was a ton of fun in the after-hours events (foosball in the Local Guides lounge… @Jesi is a champ, and scooting with @AdrianLunsong, @JordanSB, and @WilliamCanup), offsite experiential breakout sessions, pre-and-post meet-ups, and much more.
During the event, early mornings meant energetic Guides being shuttled to the Google Event Center (MP7) in Sunnyvale, California. After coffee and snacks and a bit of conversation, Local Guides shuffled into a state-of-the-art auditorium where senior leaders and others from the Google Maps and Local Guides teams presented updates and other tidbits to an audience of Googlers and Local Guides alike.
Although all presenters were fantastic and were able to evoke thought and discussion (and questions!) among Guides during brief moments, one particular speaker struck me with a particular anecdote.
Shankar Ramaswamy (on what I believe was the second morning) made a point (repeating this roughly from my memory) about history and current and future generations using what has been written and laid out in history to drive their decisions. He connected this to the idea of being a Local Guide and thinking about your contributions to Google Maps (and the LG program as well) as writing history - the importance of quality and honest contributions from Local Guides around the world being consumed by present and future generations.
This resonated with me and inspired me to think about my own history - reluctantly my mind flew to decades ago as a child/teen, being assigned to ESOL (English as a second or foreign language) classes; being so shy that even if I had the right answer I wouldn’t raise my hand; and of course, the classic standing in the corner during prom away from the dance floor. I then began to think of the social progress I made while in University - so far we’re up to being nervous while speaking during a group project (but speaking!), being involved in club activities, and not being too shy to answer a question in class.
But what I noticed as the most influential part of my history has been my time as a Local Guide. Since 2015, this program has been a catalyst to my overall personal and professional growth, improved global knowledge, and connections with lifelong friends around the world that I would never have had otherwise. It has taught me to learn and understand the diversity of cultures around the globe; to understand what it means to curate exceptional content with the understanding that millions of users may rely on it; and the importance of helping others.
The Local Guides program was critical to changing my history. Many years now from being an ESOL student, now English and communications (and writing reviews!) is my strength. Instead of shying away, I’m now not afraid to speak for my group during a Connect Live breakout session (although, thank you @AimlessAndru for coming in to save me!). And instead of of shying away in a corner at prom, I’m running across the Connect Live closing event venue directly to the dance floor when the DJ plays a song that I love.
Shankar challenged us to think about the role of Local Guides as historians, and as many other Local Guides, his words inspired me to be firm in my goal of wanting to help others, whether they’re near or far. The Local Guides program is fluid and flexible in that you can be anyone, anywhere, interested in anything and contribute about things you may love or be passionate about in a number of ways that may be suited to you (vegan food photographer, seafood review writer, rural road editor, etc).
That flexibility means the chance for me to help GMaps users who may be asking questions about a POI, add accessibility information to a new cafe, or help users on Local Guides Connect. Connect Live was an exceptional event (kudos @brittym & @TraciC and team!), and some of the most key memories that will stick with me especially from this year include the words and wisdom that I was met with, whether it be through conversations with each other or via presentations. It will also be those memories of meeting those I’ve known through the Local Guides Connect platform, in real life, such as @OSAMA after so many years on LGC, my fellow Connect Moderators, or Google Moderators such as @AngieYC & @DeniGu - putting a face behind the friendly and helpful personas on LGC.
I wouldn’t rewrite the past nearly 5 year history of being a Local Guide for anything. Through this program, I look forward to paying it forward and making my mark as someone who was compassionate and helpful for Local Guides and Google Maps users around the world. You’re the reason I am here. So I ask you, what will be your history?
You may view my Connect Live 2019 application video below:
.