How to Build A Pokemon GO Community in Addison, Texas

I remember sitting inside a Starbucks in Addison, Texas with a small group of Pokemon GO players. For an average person, it was just a casual meetup. However, in the Pokemon GO universe, it was answering the call to action and in my heart, I knew it was the beginning of something bigger. The way I always envisioned my podcast—four people sitting at a table, sharing their love for Pokémon—is the same way I envisioned building a community. A place where everyone belonged, where the love of Pokemon GO brought people together. It was time to build and deliver a community to Addison. A city that holds many memories for myself. A city where my Pokemon GO journey started. The city that was going to have the next Community Ambassadors within the DFW metroplex.

The Starbucks we all met to discuss building a community for Addison, Carrollton, and Farmers Branch

People First

A community isn't just about the game. You ever think about how many games don't have a community? A community is about the people. I've always believed that a community is built on the foundation of like-minded individuals who want to create a space for others to feel welcomed. For me, Pokémon GO has always been more than just catching Pokémon, new features, or complaining about Niantic (although I'm not against a good vent fest from time to time). Pokemon GO is about the experience. It's about the bonds formed along the way. It's about the love for Pokemon that has brought us together.

I've seen firsthand how negativity can tear groups apart. When you focus only on what's wrong, the joy fades. Negativity is always problem oriented. Positivity encourages people to focus on the broader benefits, in this case, Pokemon GO. Positivity isn't just about blind optimism, but rather about looking at the people around you and seeing the potential for something greater. It's about celebrating small victories, lifting each other up, and sharing the experience that Pokemon GO brings to our lives through its many events whether it's GO Tour, GO Fest, Play Pokemon Regional, or Community Day.

Bounsweet Community Day 2024: The 1st Pokemon GO Community Day hosted at Addison Circle

Leading the Way, One Step at a Time

Leadership is the backbone of any strong community. And you don’t have to be the loudest or the strongest to lead. You just have to be willing. Willing to put yourself out there, willing to organize, willing to create space for others. My high school class shirt once said, "Why follow when I can lead and see so much more?" Those words still resonate with me today.

Leadership in our Addison Pokémon GO community wasn’t about authority. It was about taking that first step. It was about reaching out, making connections, and ensuring that everyone had a place to belong. It was about making sure no one felt like they were playing alone, whether in Addison Circle, Carrollton, or any other gathering spot in the area.

When approaching our meeting, I could have easily made it about myself and pushed for my ideas as the best way forward, or dare I say, only way, to build a community. I had the experience, the good will of many who were there at that meeting, and influence for others in the DFW Pokemon GO Community. However, that wouldn't have been sustainable and wouldn't make the great community we have today. It's easy for those in leadership positions to allow their ego to drive them. I've seen it plenty of times both in Pokemon GO and in the work force where I've encountered leaders who were "stuck in their ways." I wanted the community built in Addison to be different. I needed to step-aside and let the group grow and become empowered to make decisions. I often deferred toward the others because I wanted them to be the face of the new Pokemon GO community we were building.

The Pokemon GO Community in Carrollton Meeting for Raid Hour.

Totodile - Community Day Classic

It was a windy day at Addison Circle and I was sitting underneath the pavilion handing out Pokemon themed wristbands featuring Totodile. I've caught plenty of Shiny Totodile and the bonuses didn't interest me. However, seeing the dozens of people who either returned to the game or recently started playing was amazing to watch and hear. It reminded me of my early days playing Pokemon GO. The potential for new adventures, the hopes for their account whether it was catching a high-IV Shiny Pokemon or a Shundo. Despite the notable differences in the amount of time we had played, the one connection was our love for Pokemon! Instead of comparing stats, I connected with others through that love and passion for the Pokemon franchise.

We also talked about the different Pokemon wristbands we had ordered. It had started with Bounsweet Community Day. And here we are, almost an entire year later, and we have two Community Ambassadors proudly posting the banner, marking a significant milestone in our Pokemon journey. It wasn’t just about the game—it was about what we had built together. Seeing Pokemon trainers of all backgrounds come together in Addison Circle, laughing, sharing stories, and participating in raffles, made everything worth it.

That day solidified what I always knew to be true: a community thrives when people feel seen, valued, and included. Watching new friendships form and old ones strengthen reminded me why we started in the first place. Addison has become the Pokemon GO Community it always had potential of becoming. And our sense of community continues to grow with each event with the Community Ambassadors, Kayakpologirl and Starfire24, leading the way!

Totodile Community Day Classic 2025

A Community Beyond the Game

Looking back, I realize that building this community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. What started as a simple gathering over coffee turned into something far more meaningful. It became a place where people could come as they are, where positivity ruled, and where leadership wasn’t about power but about passion.

For anyone looking to build a community, whether in Pokémon GO or anywhere else, my advice is simple: just try. Don’t be afraid to fail. Every great community started somewhere, and the only way to grow is to take that first step. Seek out others who are aspiring or already serving as Community Ambassadors. There’s so much to learn from those who have paved the way.

Most importantly, never underestimate the power of Pokémon in the real world. Pokémon has always been about adventure, friendship, and discovery. Draw on what you love most about the franchise and find people who resonate with those same values. Whether it’s battling, trading, or simply sharing nostalgia, there’s always a way to connect through Pokémon. It's how I built my Pokemon podcast and it's how we built a Pokemon GO Community in the city of Addison, Carrollton, and Farmers Branch!

If you're looking to join the Addison/Carrollton/Farmers Branch Pokémon GO community, join the A.C.F.B Pokémon GO Discord here

Our Pokemon GO journey in Addison isn’t over; in fact, it’s just beginning. And as we continue to grow, one thing is certain—this community isn’t just about Pokémon. It’s about all of us, together, in Addison Circle and beyond, making Texas a vibrant place for Pokémon GO players to connect.