As we bring this fantastic Community Spotlight series to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible year we’ve shared. 2025 has been a milestone year, marked by the energy and passion you all brought to our #10YearsOfLocalGuides celebrations.
My team and I are honored to support this community, and I am truly grateful for how you push us to be better every day. As I often say, it only works when we all build it together. It has been inspiring to watch you take your own initiatives from simple ideas to reality right here on Connect. That momentum is exactly what we hope to see continue as we look toward the future.
We couldn’t let the year end without sending a collective message of gratitude. Here are a few notes from our Google team and our Google Moderators to you:
Thank you notes from Googlers Julie, Kristen and Tina
@Julie_A : “A massive THANK YOU for the incredible energy you bring to Connect. Your creativity and ability to “spring into action” never ceases to amaze me— honestly, I’m starting to suspect you all have a secret power source!
Thanks for keeping the spark alive and making this community so vibrant.”
@Kristen_NYC : “Thank you for sharing your passion, your expertise, and your incredible community spirit!”
@TinaWill : “Thanks for sharing your fav spots and helping businesses thrive!”
Thank you notes from Google Moderators Angie, Simona, Tseko and Ivelina
@AngieYC: “Thanks for all the helpful contributions and insights! You make the world easier to navigate.”
@MoniDi: “Thank you for all your sharing! I wouldn’t be in this team if it weren’t for all your stories, celebrations and ideas.”
@TsekoV: “Thank you each and everyone for being the guiding light and growing so many communities around the world, all with the help of Google Maps.”
@Ivi_Ge: “Big shout-out to everyone here! The excitement and proactiveness you bring to the table every day are fantastic. Thanks for making this such a supportive and dynamic community to be part of!”
From all of us, thank you for a great 2025. We look forward to another amazing year in 2026!
A huge thanks to Team Google for joining in the fun of Community Spotlight! The wider community always enjoy getting a peak behind the curtains and Team Google has certainly delivered!
Thanks so much @David_K for this message and for all the effort you and the Google team put into making this community feel connected and appreciated. It’s great to see everyone’s passion recognized.
Thank you @David_K for the collective message of gratitude from the Google team and Google Moderators.
2025 has certainly been a milestone year in more ways than one and as it now heads speedily to a close, we are all eagerly looking forward to 2026 being an even bigger year. I couldn’t agree with you more David, it only works when we all build it together. Together we can!
Select The Wall heading and see the dynamic version of The Wall being build one frame at a time.
Hover over any Local Guide’s picture on The Wall and you will see their name and country.
Select any cell to learn more about the Local Guide, their contributions on Connect and connect with them.
In the case of some Local Guides, you can also immediately jump to their Maps profile and check out all the great photos, videos and other Maps contributions that they have made, and there’s more…
Wow! nice post @David_K . Really, 2025 created a very positive impact on knowing about the Community Spotlight series program and it’s importance and meeting new people. Hope, 2026 will bring new positive vibes and more Spotlight series will create a more big positive impact in order to motivate the local guides who join this global platform newly
Thank you for wrapping up with such heartwarming messages from Local Guides Team, @David_K This has indeed been an incredible year for me as I got the chance to meet some of my amazing Local Guides friends finally in person after knowing them from a long time through Connect. Looking forward to an amazing 2026.
Heartfelt thanks to @David_K for the kind and encouraging message, and for the continuous support that you and the entire team extend to the Local Guides Community. When contributions are acknowledged and supported by someone at Google, it creates a deep and genuine sense of belonging. Knowing that our efforts are seen, valued, and encouraged, no matter where we are in the world, strengthens our connection to the platform and inspires us to keep contributing with passion. Even more meaningful is the feeling that our voices are heard and respected; it fills us with pride to be part of such an inclusive and empowering community.
The Community Spotlight initiative truly proved to be a game changer. It served as a powerful unifying force, bringing Local Guides together around a shared purpose of collaboration, connection, and mutual growth. This initiative helped foster stronger bonds across borders and cultures, reinforcing the spirit of togetherness that defines this community.
Special appreciation goes to @AdrianLunsong for his vision, dedication, and tireless efforts in conceptualizing and bringing this initiative to life. His commitment to connecting people and nurturing community spirit is truly commendable. Through his efforts, the world feels a little smaller and a lot more connected. Thank you for creating an opportunity that brought us all together and strengthened the foundation of the Local Guides Community.
Thank you so much, David, and the entire Google Team and Google Moderators, for heartfelt messages and for standing with the Local Guides community throughout 2025.
Yesterday, when Googler Julie presented this during the Grand Year-End Party hosted by Ermes and Karen, we were all extremely excited and truly energized to contribute even more in 2026.
You all are so humble and friendly—I really can’t explain it in words. I still clearly remember Connect Live BLR: when we entered the hall on the very first day and you all welcomed us with warm applause. That moment touched our hearts and is something we will never forget .
Luckily, you also spent more time with Group No. 6 during Connect Live BLR, which I was a part of. Those interactions made the experience even more special and memorable for us.
Grateful for the constant encouragement, kindness, and support. Looking forward to continuing this beautiful journey of learning, collaboration, and community building together.
PS:
@MoniDi The link Community Spotlight series in this post is not working for me. Could you please check?
Thank you!
It’s indeed been an incredible year, full of fun and knowledge sharing. The initiatives, challenges and inspiring posts helped me to contribute high quality data consistently. A huge thank you to the entire Google team for making this possible. As we wrap up the year 2025 my heart is full of gratitude to all of you and excited to welcome 2026 with even more amazing moments. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post @David_K
Special thanks to @AdrianLunsong for organising this spotlight series.
An excellent wrap-up of 2025—huge thanks to the Google team. This meaningful gesture reflects your true leadership within the community.
Thanks Dear @David_K
Thank you @David_K and all team Google. We do appreciate your efforts in and out of the community. Special thanks to @AdrianLunsong all these came about as a result of the spotlight week.
Wow excellent wrap up of this year with huge positive memories.we interact in connect live Bangaluru2025.I like to talk with all Googlers in Bangalore meetup.Latika, kristen,Tina and You are incredible Googlers who support everyone.Thanks a lot everyone @David_K
Thank you @David_K and the Local Guides team for the wrap up this fantastic anniversary year that we spent together! Wishing many wonderful years ahead!!! ,
The new redesigned Connect with plenty beautiful features is awesome!
I love the the cute Avatar of you guys all @David_K .
Thank you for sharing the warm messages from both of The Googlers and Google Moderators. Miss you all!
Thank you so much for all of the hardwork and beautiful things that you have brought to this community
Looking forward to more stories in 2026.
Until then, have a happy holidays
!
The wider community always enjoy getting a peak behind the curtains and Team Google has certainly delivered!
to All!
for this message and for all the effort you and the Google team put into making this community feel connected and appreciated. It’s great to see everyone’s passion recognized.
