Since 2004, Yelp has been connecting people to great local businesses. Along the way we’ve met successful entrepreneurs who have taught us important lessons about what makes great businesses tick. Their valuable insights have led to new features and updates which have made the experience on Yelp better for business owners coast-to-coast.
This got us thinking: “How can we meet more of these individuals and what would it be like to connect them with their peers?”
This November 4–5, Yelp is bringing together the people behind 100 top-rated businesses across North America for a historic event taking place at Yelp’s San Francisco headquarters called Coast-To-Coast: Coming Together Because We Mean Business.
Yelp Community Managers in the US and Canada nominated local entrepreneurs who have claimed their Yelp Business Page and are expert examples of how to use Yelp’s free tools to grow their businesses. This choice group of business owners doesn’t get hung up by 1 and 2 star reviews; they use feedback to make necessary changes. Social is very much a part of their marketing strategy, and that includes taking an active role in managing their reputation on Yelp and in the community.
Not only will we celebrate the achievements of this exclusive group, but leaders at Yelp will share expertise and arm these champions of local business with best practices we hope will help them continue to grow. We’ll provide a platform for them to network and dialogue with their peers, and our internal teams will gain valuable insight as to how to improve our business owner offerings in small focus groups.
Coast-to-Coast attendees represent 86 North American markets, a wide range of categories and different levels of experience and years in business, but the one thing they all have in common is their steadfast desire to build a robust business in their local market. We are proud to honor the following people at the first ever Coast-To-Coast: Coming Together Because We Mean Business!
Albuquerque, NM
Joe’s Pasta House, KC Guzzardi
Atlanta, GA
Neighborhood Eats, Andrew McDonough
Atlanta OTP
Meehan’s Public House, Alyssa Breen
Austin, TX
Fork & Vine, Brendan Puthoff
Medusa Skates, Julie Hunter
Baltimore, MD
The Land of Kush, Naijha Wright
Baton Rouge, LA
Les Amis Bake Shoppe, Stephanie Hansen
Birmingham, AL
Avondale Brewing, Taylor Lander
Boston, MA
Urban AdvenTours, Andrew Prescott
Cuisine en Locale, JJ Gonson
Broward/Palm Beach, FL
Colada, Ryan Campbell
Buffalo, NY
Ashker’s Juice Bar and Cafe, Angelo Ashker
Calgary, AB
Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar, Andy Fennel
Charleston, SC
Persimmon Cafe, Robert Cassi
Charlotte, NC
The Boulevard at South End, Jennifer Branham
Chicago, IL
Chicago Costume, Courtland Hickey
Yum Dum Truck, Jeff Wang
ActionBooth, Joe Reyes
Kabul House, Akmal Qazi (Skokie)
Cleveland, OH
Carol & John’s Comic Shop, James Guilliams
Cincinnati, OH
Taste of Belgium, Jean-Francois Flechet
Columbus, OH
Hot Chicken Takeover, Joe DeLoss
Dallas, TX
Trailercakes, Heather Zidell
Denver, CO
Biker Jim’s Restaurant, Jim Pittenger
Pandora on the Hill, Stephanie Shearer
Des Moines, IA
Raygun, Jen Leatherby
Detroit, MI
Valentine Distilling, Rifino Valentine
Edmonton, AB
Tru Ride, Dana Rajotte
Fort Worth, TX
The Lunch Box, Immy Khan
Hampton Roads, VA
The Royal Chocolate, Brenda Tusing
Hartford, CT
Bear’s Smokehouse, Jamie McDonald
Honolulu, HI
Tiki’s Grill & Bar, Bill Tobin
Houston, TX
Studio 31 Hair Lab, Kimberly Michelle Anderson
Indianapolis, IN
New Day Craft, Tia Agnew
Jacksonville, FL
Corner Taco, Chris Dickerson
Jersey City, NJ
Bucket & Bay Craft Gelato, Boris Kavlakov
Kansas City, MO
Quay Coffee, Cory Stipp
Los Angeles, CA
Crave Dessert Company, Hayley Williams
Photo-matica Photo Booth Co., Scott Schiller
Designs by David, David Mark
Las Vegas, NV
SkinnyFATS, Reed Slobusky
CraftHaus Brewery, Wyndee Forrest
Long Island, NY
Aji 53, Kai Wang
Louisville, KY
Mayan Cafe, Anne Shadle
Madison, WI
Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier, Gail Ambrosius
New York City, NY
Calexico Cart, Dave Vendley (Manhattan)
Lockbusters, Jay Sofer (Manhattan)
BeeHive Oven Biscuit Cafe, John Chadwell (Brooklyn)
Joju, Julie Wong (Queens)
Memphis, TN
Red Velvet Vintage, Erika Smith
Miami, FL
Cafe Curuba, Debbie Rabinovici
Milwaukee, WI
Great Lakes Distillery, Guy Rehorst
Montreal, QC
Fitz & Follwell Co, Shea Mayer
Nashville, TN
Atmalogy, Heather Riney
NC Triad
Twin City Hive, Joey Burdette
NC Triangle
The Wine Feed, Phillip Zucchino
New Orleans, LA
A Bicycle Named Desire, Cassady Cooper
Orange County, CA
City Life, Joe Maguire
Blackmarket Bakery, Rachel Klemek
Oklahoma City, OK
Shop Good, Audrey Falk
Omaha, NE
Atomic Service, Inc., Stephen McKenzie
Orlando, FL
Kyle’s Bike Shop, Kyle Markel
Ottawa, ON
Stella Luna Gelato Cafe, Tammy Giuliani
Philadelphia, PA
Eat-A-Pita, Jason Blacketer
Duross And Langel, Steve Duross
Pittsburgh, PA
Wigle Whiskey, Jill Stiner
Phoenix, AZ
Hotel Valley Ho, Jesse Thompson
Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse, Rick Phillips
Portland, OR
Christopher David, Chris Giovarelli
Cupcake Jones, Lisa Watson
Portland, ME
Otto, Eric Shepherd
Providence, RI
Rhode Runner, Eric Lonergan
Reno, NV
Cafe DeLuxe, Rich Selden
Richmond, VA
King of Pops, Paul Cassimus
Rochester, NY
Atlas Eats Kitchen & Bakeshop, Anna Brinkman
Sacramento, CA
Bassil Kamas, Bassil Kamas
Saint Louis, MO
Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery, Tamara Keefe
Salt Lake City, UT
Bumblebee’s BBQ & Grill, Victor Jeong
San Diego, CA
Ashley DuChene Photography, Ashley DuChene
Puesto, Eric Adler
San Diego, CA (North County)
Scripps Inn, Lana Ybarra
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Eatsa, Jason Mueller
Hey, Cookie!, Christa Hill
Hang Ten Boiler, Paul Wong (Alameda)
Jougert Bar, Robert Tabz (Burlingame)
Seattle, WA
Unexpected Productions, Kent Whipple
Aces Town Car Service, Timm McIntosh
Tampa, FL
Piquant, Rosana Rivera
Datz, Suzanne Perry
Toronto, ON
Northwood, Richard Pope
Wicox Gastropub, Daniel Nguyen (Mississauga)
Tucson, AZ
Renee’s Organic Oven, Renee Kraeger
Tulsa, OK
The First Ward, Jessica Bond
Twin Cities, MN
Lift Bridge Brewery, Trevor Cronk
Vancouver, BC
Forbidden Vancouver, Will Woods
Greater Washington, DC
&pizza, Sam Blum
District Doughnut, Greg Benna
Peg Leg Vintage, Chad Hora (College Park, MD)
The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and may not be suitable for your circumstances. Unless stated otherwise, references to third-party links, services, or products do not constitute endorsement by Yelp.