Our newest Meet-up Champion is all about communities. A Connect Moderator and a recognized Community Builder and Inclusive Mapper in Local Guides, a high-level product expert in the Google Maps and Files by Google communities, @NareshDarji loves to help others and create meaningful connections.
With over 50 organized meet-ups to his name, Naresh knows how to foster excitement. His ongoing initiative, 
Celebrating 10 Years of Local Guides: Let’s Connect and Contribute!, in collaboration with fellow Connect Moderators @KashifMisidia and @JaneBurunina, has created a real buzz. Many Local Guides around the world have already organized meet-ups to join in the festivities. Are you one of them?
If you’re looking for inspiration and some great advice on how to go about hosting a meet-up, check out what Naresh has shared below.
What do you love about meet-ups?
I enjoy the sense of community, the energy of in-person events, and the creative discussions. I love how meet-ups bring together people with shared passions, creating a space for learning and offering a chance to explore new places through different perspectives.
Do you have a favorite meet-up theme?
I believe in a holistic approach where meet-ups incorporate any relevant themes in one event, such as map editing, photography, food and drink, and accessibility.
You recently hosted your 50th meet-up, which is an amazing achievement! Do you remember the first meet-up you ever hosted? When was it, what did you do, how did you feel?
My journey with Local Guides meet-ups began in 2015 when I was moderating the Gujarat community on Google+. My first official event was a Map editing walk in my city, Gandhinagar [the capital of Gujarat state]. The excitement was palpable! I even made ID cards for the attendees and myself. We spent the day exploring Gandhinagar, focusing on verifying existing business information and adding new businesses, like small shops and local eateries that weren’t yet on the map. It was a great feeling to know we were making a difference in how people navigate and discover our city.
How did you prepare for your 50th event?
Planning a successful meet-up is all about choosing the right place and working together as a team.
We formed a dedicated planning committee to brainstorm ideas and select the most interesting and doable activities based on the time we had. We created a WhatsApp group for smooth communication and divided tasks among team members for logistics, content, and participant engagement.
We focused on a location in Patan that’s rich in culture. We visited Rani Ki Vav and the Regional Science Center, both accessible and full of things to do. There were interactive sessions and photo walks that added extra fun and learning opportunities. It was a memorable meet-up that everyone loved!
What are the three most important things you’ve learned from organizing meet-ups?
- Friendship forever: It’s more than just showing up; it’s about building real bonds. You see it in the way people cheer each other on, jump in to help, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company at meet-ups. Witnessing these friendships blossom is one of the best parts of organizing an event.
- Building community: Building a community relies on the consistent participation of each member and the positive impact each individual action has on the whole. Through regular participation, Local Guides develop habits of sharing knowledge and offering support, which creates a stronger collective.
- Expanding your world: Meet-ups are a chance to expand your world and connect with people who inspire you. They can spark fresh ideas and new opportunities that might not have happened otherwise.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone who’s about to host their first meet-up?
Keep it simple, select a good location, and focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere. Be accessible to everyone and don’t worry about making it perfect; focus on making it enjoyable for everyone.
What do you think a good recap post should include?
A good recap post should give a quick overview of the meet-up, highlighting the best parts like key discussions, fun activities, and memorable moments, along with photos or videos to show what happened. It should also thank everyone involved, maybe include some quotes from attendees, and encourage people to join future meet-ups. It’s about capturing the meet-up’s vibe and making people feel like they were there, even if they missed it.
Do you have a favorite meet-up you’ve attended?
While my 50th meet-up was an important milestone for me, my favorite meet-up experience was attending a deeply impactful learning session for students with visual impairment, hosted by @Tejal. I was honored to be invited as a co-host and traveled 350 km from Gandhinagar to Valsad to participate. We spent the day teaching students how to use mobile technology with Google Assistant. It was incredibly rewarding to empower them in this way.
What’s amazing is that we still connect with them daily via WhatsApp, and one student has even launched his own YouTube channel! It’s a powerful reminder that even small acts of sharing knowledge can create lasting change.
Have you attended any of Naresh’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.
and grateful for this amazing community.
and Welcome to Meet-up Champion Club 
