As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Local Guides, @FahmiAdimara also celebrates his 10th year as a Local Guide and a passionate meet-up host!
Fahmi’s love for adventure and photography led him to becoming a Local Guide in 2015. In 2016, he hosted his first meet-up, where only two people showed up. But that didn’t dampen Fahmi’s enthusiasm; in fact, it made him even more motivated to build a community of Local Guides in his city of Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, and beyond.
Over the next few years, Fahmi will go on to host and collaborate on more than 200 meet-ups across Indonesia, encouraging more and more people to join thanks to his community-first approach: understanding what attendees care about and what local communities need.
Without further ado, we’re excited to introduce Meet-up Champion Fahmi!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m passionate about supporting local businesses, heritage conservation, and green movements. I believe that small steps, when shared within a community, can create a global impact.
Since the day I joined Local Guides, I’ve always dreamed of promoting East Java’s adventure destinations on a global scale. That dream came true in early 2017 when Google Maps interviewed me and gave me the opportunity to share my top 10 recommendations. This led me to even more opportunities, including collaborating with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the Department of Culture and Tourism of East Java.
I’ve been invited to various places to share my Local Guides journey and inspire others. This experience has truly changed my life and motivated me even more to create real, meaningful impact through the Local Guides program.
What do you love about meet-ups?
I love how meet-ups connect people beyond digital boundaries. It’s not just about exploring new places, but also about building real friendships, exchanging ideas, and creating social impact in local communities.
Do you have a favorite meet-up theme?
I really enjoy photowalks and food crawls! Photography allows me to capture the beauty and unique stories of local places, especially heritage sites. For me, it’s more than just photos, it’s documentation for future generations.
On the other hand, food-and-drink meet-ups are always fun, because they help introduce local culinary gems to a wider audience while supporting small businesses. Sharing food is one of the easiest ways to connect with people from different backgrounds.
How do you prepare for a meet-up? How do you choose the topic, activities, and places to visit?
I start by researching the local needs and opportunities — whether it’s promoting small businesses, highlighting hidden gems, or raising environmental awareness. Then, I design the event based on community input, accessibility, and of course, fun learning experiences. I also try to invite people who are active on social media alongside Local Guides. This way, the local businesses and destinations can reach a wider audience both through Google Maps reviews and social media.
Do you have a favorite meet-up you’ve hosted? What about a favorite meet-up you’ve attended?
One of my favorite meet-ups was the Local Guides Regional Meet-up in East Java. I even built a DIY event gate and background banner by myself in two days!
My favorite meet-up as a participant was the Local Guides Summit 2017 at Google HQ. It was a life-changing moment.
What are the three most important things you’ve learned from organizing meet-ups?
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Teamwork is everything, both online and offline: From brainstorming ideas to executing the event, collaboration is essential. Online coordination helps with planning, promotion, and outreach, while offline teamwork ensures the event runs smoothly. When everyone supports each other, the whole process becomes more efficient and enjoyable.
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Events shaped by the local community tend to resonate more deeply: By involving local residents, small businesses, and volunteers, the meet-ups become more than just gatherings; they become movements. These events empower communities and leave a lasting impression.
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Documentation is key to inspiring more people: Photos, videos, reviews, and stories from each meet-up aren’t just memories, they’re inspiration. Sharing them on Google Maps, social media, or blogs encourages others to explore, support local, or even start initiatives of their own. Good documentation helps the impact of a single meet-up ripple far beyond the day it happened.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone who’s about to host their first meet-up?
Start small and focus on the experience, not the number of participants. Connecting with others is more important than filling seats.
Is there anything else you want to share?
In July 2025, together with my friends from Local Guides Indonesia and Surabaya Raya Local Guides, we are organizing a national-wide event called “Meet-up Nusantara #4 Surabaya.” We will welcome 150 Local Guides and 50 volunteers from all over Indonesia for a 3-day exploration of Surabaya. This will be our fourth annual event since 2017, after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We rotate between different cities across Indonesia to strengthen our community connections and inspire more local contributions.
Local Guides, have you attended any of Fahmi’s meet-ups? Do you have a question for him? Tell us in the comments below.
Want to see who else is a Meet-up Champion? Read our previous topic here.
