TripAdvisor Reveals Summer Lineup of Free Master Class Events for Hospitality Businesses

Register Now for Seminars in Montreal, Chicago and Dallas this July and August to Hear Essential Online Marketing Strategies and Tips to Increase Bookings

News provided by

TripAdvisor

Jun 29, 2011, 10:30 ET

NEWTON, Mass., June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel site*, today announced the expansion of its free TripAdvisor master class event series for hospitality industry property owners, marketers and managers. Due to strong and growing demand for more events, TripAdvisor is offering a new series of shows this summer in Montreal, Chicago and Dallas. Registrations begin today.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080902/TRIPADVISORLOGO )

Attendees will hear from TripAdvisor experts on best practices for reaching the site's 40 million unique monthly visitors, as well as from esteemed guest speakers including Hotel Consultant and Author Daniel Edward Craig, who will share proven online reputation management strategies.

TripAdvisor is also pleased to partner with Tourisme Montreal, the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, and the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring these events to their respective cities and engage with their active hospitality membership bases.

"Our master classes have been so well received that we're offering a new round of events this summer to provide hospitality professionals with tested strategies for reaching more customers, increasing bookings and managing a brand's online reputation," said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. "These events offer a great opportunity to meet with industry leaders and discuss marketing solutions to today's most pressing business challenges."

"Reputation management is increasingly important for hoteliers and other accommodations owners," said Daniel Edward Craig, hotel consultant and author. "Those who engage with guests on TripAdvisor, post management responses and show they are listening and responding to feedback are much more likely to generate bookings and foster repeat business."

The events will cover a range of topics and offer opportunities for Q&A and site demonstrations. Areas of focus include:

Enhancing your TripAdvisor listing
Increasing direct booking traffic to your property site
Enhancing your website with free TripAdvisor tools
Maintaining a positive online reputation
Responding to guest reviews on TripAdvisor
Implementing strategies to help get more reviews on TripAdvisor

The TripAdvisor master classes will be in two identical programs: a morning session at 9 a.m. and an afternoon session at 1 p.m. Complimentary snacks and beverages will be provided.

Montreal

Tuesday, July 26th

www.tripadvisormasterclass.com/Montreal

Chicago

Tuesday, August 9th

www.tripadvisormasterclass.com/Chicago

Dallas

Tuesday, August 30th

www.tripadvisormasterclass.com/Dallas

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features (including Flights search, TripAdvisor Mobile and Instant Personalization) with seamless links to booking tools.

TripAdvisor® Media Group, operated by TripAdvisor LLC, attracts more than 50 million unique monthly visitors* across 18 popular travel brands**. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 40 million unique monthly visitors***, 20 million members, and over 45 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 29 countries worldwide****, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also operates TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to TripAdvisor's millions of monthly visitors. The division includes Business Listings, which allows hoteliers to connect directly to millions of researching travelers, and Vacation Rentals, which helps property managers and individual home owners list their properties and showcase hotel alternatives.

TripAdvisor Media Group websites have been recognized as top travel resources in 2010 by Conde Nast Traveller, Good Housekeeping, TIME magazine and Travel + Leisure.

TripAdvisor Media Group generated $486 million in revenue in 2010. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Group are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE).

TripAdvisor and the TripAdvisor logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TripAdvisor LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Media Group Sites, Worldwide, May 2011

** In addition to TripAdvisor, The TripAdvisor Media Group of websites includes: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.sniqueaway.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com, www.virtualtourist.com and www.kuxun.cn.