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
Keynote Speaker: Roy Choi
Noon – 12:40 p.m. ET
Building a Trusted Brand: Infusing Authenticity Into Your Marketing and Storytelling
Creating a brand that is trusted, genuine, and relatable can help your business stand out and create lifelong customers. 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.
12:45 – 1:15 p.m. ET
Amplifying the Impact of Your Review Strategy on Yelp
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.
1:15 – 1:55 p.m. ET
Capitalizing on Trends in Pop Culture and Social Media
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.
2 – 2:45 p.m. ET
Fireside Chat with Alli Webb
2:45 – 3:25 p.m. ET
Business Owner Roundtable
3:30 – 4 p.m. ET
Establishing Financial Strength for Stability and Growth
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.
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.