NEWTON, Mass., Oct. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel site*, today announced that it will offer a free master class event in Washington, D.C. at the Hotel Palomar on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Registrations begin today. This free TripAdvisor event, held for the first time in the nation's capital, is the latest in its series of TripAdvisor master classes for hospitality industry property owners and managers.

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

Attendees will hear from TripAdvisor experts on best practices for reaching the site's 50 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 pleased to bring this event to the Washington, D.C. area with the support of Destination DC and encourages the organization's active hospitality membership base to attend.

"Our master classes continue to be so well received that we're adding Washington, D.C. to our series of events this year with the goal of providing 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 accommodation owners," said Craig. "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 class at the Hotel Palomar in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Nov. 9 will be in two identical programs: a morning session at 9 a.m. and an afternoon session at 1 p.m. EST. Complimentary snacks and beverages will be provided. Register for this event at http://www.tripadvisormasterclass.com/Washingtondc

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 65 million unique monthly visitors* across 19 popular travel brands**. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 50 million unique monthly visitors***, 20 million members, and over 50 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 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.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

©2011 TripAdvisor LLC. All rights reserved.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Media Group Sites, Worldwide, July 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, www.whereivebeen.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

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

**** TripAdvisor sites operate in 30 countries worldwide: www.tripadvisor.com, www.tripadvisor.co.uk, www.tripadvisor.ca, www.tripadvisor.it, www.tripadvisor.es, www.tripadvisor.de, www.tripadvisor.fr, www.tripadvisor.jp, www.daodao.com, www.tripadvisor.in, www.tripadvisor.se, www.tripadvisor.nl, www.tripadvisor.com.br, www.tripadvisor.com.tr, www.tripadvisor.dk, www.tripadvisor.com.mx, www.tripadvisor.ie, www.tripadvisor.com.au, www.tripadvisor.com.sg, www.tripadvisor.co.kr, no.tripadvisor.com, pl.tripadvisor.com, th.tripadvisor.com, www.tripadvisor.ru, www.tripadvisor.com.gr, www.tripadvisor.co.id, www.tripadvisor.com.ar, www.tripadvisor.tw, www.tripadvisor.com.my, and www.tripadvisor.com.eg.

SOURCE TripAdvisor