Yelp Elite Squad: The Heart Of The Matter

The Yelp Elite Squad truly embodies the definition of community, a real cornerstone of Yelp. The Yelp Elites are a passionate group of locals who eat, play, and socialize their way throughout bustling cities across North America. They love that their voice matters, they’re excited to connect with each other both on and offline, and they’re the heart of our mission. Elites make connecting people with great local businesses fun and for that, we are grateful.

Elites are a diverse group of locals with unique backgrounds and passions, but they all have one thing in common: a deep love for their cities and the local businesses that make them thrive. This, my friends, is what makes the Yelp Elite community so special.

Meet some of these passionate locals below:

Farisa A. (Phoenix) – “I am originally from Michigan. I work as a Senior Customer Service Rep for a major insurance company. Some of my current interests are to cook, explore ethnic mom and pop grocers, and travel to places that I have never been. My 5-year goal is to live in a tiny home with a big porch and yard…anywhere in the world.”

Jenny P. (Sacramento) – “I grew up in the gold rush town of Auburn in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, but currently live in Midtown Sacramento. I work in Human Resources by day, and I drive for Lyft by night. I am a proud cat mom who enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons, reading, the occasional obscure film, supporting my SF Giants, Yelping, baking, and basking in my nerdy glow. The best thing about being Elite is the community engagement with peers and business owners.”

Amitha R. (Twin Cities) – “I’m originally from Sri Lanka and moved Minnesota in 1991. I’ve been a network analyst at Hennepin County Medical Center for 15 years. I’m a Beatles Fanatic, I love Hayo Miazaki movies, and Jane Austen. I’m training for my first marathon this year. My favorite part about being a Elite is meeting other Elites.” 

In addition to connecting on Yelp, a highlight of the Elite distinction is getting together offline for a variety of activities and events. Some of these events are planned by Elites themselves and some are planned by their local Community Manager. Regardless, they’re a great way to meet fun people who share similar interests while spreading the good ol’ Yelp love, of course. When this bunch gets together, it is not uncommon for the room to be roaring with laughter, singing, chanting, cheering, you name it; it happens. Check out some of these remarkable events that our Yelp Elites experience regularly:

• UYEs are Unofficial Yelp Events that are posted to the general Yelp Events calendar and organized by Yelpers. These are open to anyone with a Yelp profile. Phoenix Elite, Monica O. organizes an International Supper Club UYE once a month and Reno Elite, Chris M. recently organized a Reunion UYE between Sacramento, Reno and Honolulu Yelpers, to name a few.
• Elite Events are planned by the local Community Manager in each city and can be anything from a festive party involving multiple local businesses at a trendy apartment complex, to a girls night out at a snazzy salon, to a mustache bash at a great Mexican restaurant. These events are posted to the Elite calendar and are open to Elites only.
• Community Manager Yelp Events are put together by the local Community Manager but are posted to the general Yelp Events calendar and are open to anyone with a Yelp Profile. These can be a festive happy hour, wine tasting, or a Meet the Maker event where Yelpers get an inside look at a fantastic local business, i.e. touring a tortilla factory, tasting cacao nibs at a chocolate factory, or making their own ice cream!

If this sounds like something that you would like to be a part of, your journey doesn’t stop here! You can learn more about what it takes to be Elite and nominate yourself or a friend for your local Elite Squad at Yelp.com/Elite.