NPP and Expedia Partnership Set for Take Off

SEATTLE, Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- National Purchasing Partners (NPP) and Expedia, Inc.'s namesake brand, Expedia.com, agreed to a partnership that offers members exclusive savings over and above Expedia's industry leading prices. The new partnership pairs the nation's top online travel company with the country's fastest growing group purchasing organization (GPO).

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NPP helps thousands of companies save time and money through its portfolio of discount pricing contracts. Already partnered with a wide range of prominent national companies, NPP's many members can now access travel discounts that are not typically available to the public at large.

Expedia, the world's leading online travel company, is creating a travel discount program specifically for NPP members that will enable them to book travel and access exclusive savings. The offerings are available not just for business travel needs but are set up in a way that employees can take advantage of the savings for their leisure travel as well.  While NPP members are usually companies, the discounts are extended to all employees of those companies, too.

"Working with Expedia provides our members substantial savings on travel expenses," says Andrew Forrester, President of NPP. "This partnership helps our members book travel for fun or business. It's amazing to see all the travel offerings from Expedia, and we know our members will be excited about it."

"Travel fuels small businesses in a way few other investments can," says David Doctorow, Senior Vice President Global Marketing, Brand Expedia, citing a Travel Coalition study that shows that for every dollar invested in business travel, companies realize $12.50 in incremental revenue and $3.80 in new profits.  "But small businesses must balance the long-term benefits of employee travel with the very real short-term costs, which is why we are excited to work with NPP to provide small businesses a way to reduce those expenses."

To learn more about this new contract, visit the NPP website. If your organization isn't already an NPP member, you can join for free and there is no obligation to purchase. For more information visit: www.mynpp.com or call 800-810-3909.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

About Expedia
Expedia.com® is the world's leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of vacations, cheap flights, cheap hotel deals, car rental, cruises and in-destination activities, attractions, and services. With the Expedia Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com customers can get the best rates available online for all types of travel.

Expedia, Expedia.com and the Airplane logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. 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. © 2013 Expedia, Inc.  All rights reserved.  CST # 2029030-50

About National Purchasing Partners
National Purchasing Partners is a group purchasing organization that negotiates discount pricing on behalf of our members. Members receive discounted rates on essential products and services from prominent industry companies, including Verizon, Staples, Fastenal, John Deere, Sprint, Wesco and Expedia.

Membership is free, and there is no obligation to purchase. Members have access to items such as wireless service, electronic devices, equipment, office and industrial supplies, furniture, printing, shipping and more.

Public entities, such as city or state governments, can utilize our competitively-bid, publicly-awarded contracts. These contracts typically comply with national and local procurement requirements, and save organizations both time and money in the purchasing process.

NPP was founded in 2001, and is now one of the largest GPOs in the country. NPP is owned by Virginia Mason Medical Center, recently named the top hospital of the decade, and much of NPP's revenue supports medical research and other healthcare initiatives. NPP also partners with several organizations and associations, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs and various other nonprofits.

NPP serves thousands of companies nationwide in a wide variety of industries, among them construction, transportation, fire and rescue, government, energy, legal and finance.

Registering to become a member is easy. Visit www.mynpp.com to join. If you would like more information or have questions, contact NPP at [email protected] or call 800.810.3909.

SOURCE Expedia, Inc.