Wednesday, May 8 at 11 a.m. ET
Local Business Summit 2024
With Host Emily Washcovick
Registration is now open for Yelp’s Local Business Summit! Spend the day learning from industry experts, business leaders, and other entrepreneurs about best practices, tools, and takeaways you can use to grow your business.
Register now
Yelp’s Local Business Summit, a vibrant gathering of industry experts, business leaders, and entrepreneurs, is coming to you live on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. During this one-day event, successful speakers from diverse backgrounds will come together to share valuable insights and actionable advice on how to elevate your local business. Whether penning your first business plan or looking to expand, this summit offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired.
Beginning at 11 a.m. ET, this free, virtual event will provide local business owners with real strategies and tools to accelerate their success and stand out from the crowd. Explore the schedule and session descriptions below, and check back soon to see the full list of speakers.
11 – 11:10 a.m. ET
Welcome to the 2024 Local Business Summit
11:10 – 11:55 a.m. ET
Noon – 12:40 p.m. ET
Creating a brand that is trusted, genuine, and relatable has significant short- and long-term benefits, helping you create loyal customers, gain competitive advantages, and establish overall business resilience. Learn more about building an authentic brand and how it can help you connect with customers and differentiate your business in a crowded marketplace. Experts will share insights and best practices for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with audiences and foster brand loyalty.
Speakers:
- Kim Malick, owner of Salt & Straw
- Sheena Dougher, VP, marketing communications, Jack in the Box
- Ben Hennes, CCO & co-owner, Happylucky
- Mark Reader, CMO, Rentokil Terminix
Moderator: Kadecia Ber, director of multi-location sales, Yelp
12:45 – 1:15 p.m. ET
A solid strategy for engaging with customer feedback is key to strengthening your business’s reputation and attracting customers. Learn how to leverage reviews in your marketing and daily operations, improve staff morale, and develop a service-based mindset that takes your business to the next level. Plus, hear from consumers and business owners about how responding to reviews builds customer trust and loyalty.
Speakers:
- Krista Muscarella, Yelp Elite
- Damien Zouaoui, owner, Oakwell Beer Spa
- Josh Campbell, owner, Rescue Air and Plumbing
Moderator: Emily Washcovick, small business expert, Yelp
1:15 – 1:55 p.m. ET
Skillfully taking advantage of what’s trending is a powerful way to earn widespread recognition and brand awareness. This session will cover strategies for identifying and leveraging the latest trends to stay relevant and competitive, techniques for staying ahead of the curve, and tips for analyzing the ever-changing interests of consumers. Gain insights into the tools and practices that can help detect these trends and the best practices for integrating them into your marketing and social media strategies.
Speakers:
- Kevin Keith, chief marketing officer, Edible
- Emily Buckley, founder, Ripe Space
- Miriam Fried, owner, MF Strong
Moderator: Ayanna Alleyne Grant, head of social media, Yelp
2 – 2:45 p.m. ET
In this virtual sitdown with entrepreneur Alli Webb, Yelp’s Tara Lewis will chat with the founder on her meteoric rise with blowout salon chain Drybar and lessons learned in her first venture. Alli will also share inspiration for those looking to find their community as a business owner.
Speaker: Alli Webb, founder, Drybar
Moderator: Tara Lewis, VP of community expansion and trends, Yelp
2:45 – 3:25 p.m. ET
Business Owner Roundtable
3:30 – 4 p.m. ET
Adopting a finance-first mindset is critical for local businesses to establish robust financial practices and achieve sustainable growth. This session homes in on the varying elements of financial management and the pursuit of capital, offering a roadmap for businesses aiming to scale in a competitive landscape. Learn the essentials of financial preparedness and how to develop a finance-first approach, ensuring your business practices support growth.
Speakers:
- Jamaal Brown, VP, finance, Justworks
- Vincent Berretta, co-owner, Tres Lecheria
- Jennifer Glanville Love, director of partnerships and collaborations, Samuel Adams, Boston Beer Company
Moderator: Miriam Warren, chief diversity officer, Yelp
4 – 4:05 p.m. ET
Closing of the 2024 Local Business Summit
After registering, be sure to take our local business survey—we’ll be sharing the results at the summit. See you on May 8!
As Yelp’s Small Business Expert, Emily is meticulously focused on helping local business owners succeed and grow. Her expertise lies in customer engagement, reputation management, and all things digital marketing. Through speaking engagements and thought leadership, Emily shares industry insights that entrepreneurs in any business category can leverage for the growth and well-being of their businesses. She is also the host of Behind the Review, a podcast from Yelp and Entrepreneur Media, where each episode features conversations with a business owner and a reviewer about the story and lessons behind their interactions.