I’m a Google City Expert…Now What?
Date: December 2, 2013Category: Author: Kaycie Smith
In my blog written on November 5th, Google Launches City Expert Program, I wrote about Google’s leap into encouraging Google+ users to review local businesses. The program launched here in Phoenix on November 14th and I was selected to become a member of the new community of “local experts”. Not really knowing what to expect, but expecting a great deal…it is Google after all, away I went. Invitation in tow:
As promised, there was Google Swag as seen in the attached pictures. The glass and the yo-yo are fun, not sure about the socks but I suppose there will be a few cold nights here in Phoenix where they will come in handy. I will say that all of the businesses that were brought in to help host the event were outstanding. First, The Phoenix Ale Brewery, which is where the event was hosted, did a fabulous job complete with a tour by the owner which included a complete and thorough, yet very interesting, tour of the brewery.
Food was provided by Short Leash Hot Dogs. If you have never heard of this company, then let me have the pleasure of introducing you to them. They are a food truck company but to say this might put a notion in your mind that is equal to that of those trucks that frequent construction sites at lunchtime, not that this is bad, just Short Leash Hot Dogs is so much more. They were named top 15 food trucks in Phoenix by the Arizona Republic in 2012, and I would say they were more gourmet than anything. Among the other vendors were Phoenix Photo Booths who had a fun assortment of items to be used for pictures which we were able to keep as souvenirs and the Bad Cactus Brass Band who played live music for the event and was also excellent!
There were two Google Community Managers at the event, Aaron and Bryn, and both were very friendly and the event was fun. I would say about 65 people were a part of the big night. One thing that I felt the evening lacked was a “speech” of sorts that gave a little synopsis of what could be expected going forward with the program. When I arrived, I spoke with both of the Community Managers but believing that as the evening unfolded, it would include something a bit more clarifying, I didn’t try to pin either of them down on specifics of the program. I wish I had because as the night progressed there was nothing said or unveiled or even mentioned about the program. The night was fun, I had good food, a nice tour, met some great people and went home. I have not heard from Google since the event.
Maybe I will have a follow up in a few months? In the meantime here is one final picture from the event. If you would like to see all of the pictures from the Phoenix Event, sign in to your Google+ profile and search #googlecityexpert- phoenix.
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