Expedia, Inc. , the world’s largest online travel company and pioneer in online travel, was recognized by the American Business Awards with a Stevie Award for Most Innovative Company

The honor comes on the heels of Expedia.com(R)’s Webby Award for Best in Travel Web Sites for 2006, the leading international honor for Internet sites. Last month, Expedia was also awarded the Brandweek Customer Loyalty Award for the seventh year in a row.

Hailed as “the business world’s version of the Oscars” by the New York Post (April 27, 2005), the American Business Awards are the only national, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in the workplace. More than 1,500 entries from companies of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration in more than 40 categories. The awards are nicknamed the “Stevies” for the Greek word “crowned.”

“Many companies accomplish extraordinary things everyday, but rarely get the attention they deserve,” said Stevie Awards founder Michael Gallagher. “We hope that the Stevies inspire the American business community to recognize and honor outstanding work.”

Expedia, Inc. was also named as a finalist in three categories of the American Business Awards:

— Category: Best Executive
Nomination: Paul Brown: Taking Partnerships to the Next Level

— Category: Best Customer Service Organization
Nomination: Expedia Customer Service: Delivering Enjoyable Vacations,
One Customer at a Time

— Category: Best Communications Executive
Nomination: Wendy Grover: Expedia’s Travel Guide to Communications
Excellence

Expedia is the largest online travel company in the world, and is committed to providing customers with the best possible service. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and strong supplier relationships, Expedia leads its industry in innovation as it builds lasting relationships with its customers. This Stevie award demonstrates Expedia’s success in the travel sector, as well as across the business community as a whole.