TripAdvisor's Stephen Kaufer Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® 2005 National Winner in Realizing Business Potential Category

Business Wire, Dec 7, 2005

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- TripAdvisor joins other New England Area Entrepreneur Of the Year(R) winners at November 19 national event in Palm Springs

Stephen Kaufer, President and Chief Executive Officer of TripAdvisor, Inc., was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2005 National Award winner in the Realizing Business Potential Category. Kaufer was recognized for helping to launch and lead TripAdvisor, a travel Web site that features real advice from real travelers and offers direct access to major online travel sites.

Robert Keane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lexington, Massachusetts' VistaPrint, was also in attendance and selected as a National Finalist at the November 19 event in Palm Springs in the Financial and Business Services category. With more than 5,000,000 customers worldwide, VistaPrint is the source for high-quality graphic design, Internet printing and premium service. Other New England Area executives attending the Palm Springs event included:

--Jay Bertelli - President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Mercury Computer Systems: 2002 New England Area Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner and a 2005 National Judge in the Technology Category

--Dr. Errol DeSouza - President and Chief Executive Officer of Archemix Coporation: 2005 New England Area Award Winner in the Emerging Technology Category

--George Mueller - Founder and Chairman of Color Kinetics: 2005 New England Area Award Winner for the Industrial Products and Services Category

--James Sullivan - Vice President of Marsh, New England: A long-time Platinum sponsor and supporter of the New England Area Awards

--Rob Scott - President and Chief Executive Officer of Xelor Software: 2002 New England Area Award Winner in the Technology Category and a 2005 New England Area Judge

--Nancy Briefs - Chief Executive Officer of Percardia Software.: 2003 New England Area Winner in the Medical Devices Category and a 2005 National Judge in Health Sciences

--Peter Gyenes - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ascential Software Corporation: 2005 New England Area Award Winner in the Technology Category

--Michael Walsh - President of Ocean Properties, Ltd.: 2005 New England Area Award Winner in the Consumer/Industrial Products & Services Category

--Janet Faleski - Director of Client Services, ThinkEquity Partners: Platinum sponsor of the New England Area Awards

The program's Realizing Business Potential Award won by Stephen Kaufer of TripAdvisor, Inc. is presented by Microsoft to honor smaller companies that have demonstrated success and growth by leveraging computer-related technology in their businesses.

"Stephen Kaufer's success at TripAdvisor serves as a powerful reminder of how a small business can become a major player by taking advantage of the power of technology," said Cindy Bates, general manager of Microsoft's U.S. Small Business Group. "Microsoft is proud to celebrate the achievements of all Realizing Business Potential nominees and the contributions they make to our business landscape."

Kaufer is the second recipient in the history of this award and was honored as the national winner in the Realizing Business Potential Category at a gala in Palm Springs. Awards were given in 10 additional categories. All Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year winners were selected from approximately 400 regional award recipients by an independent panel of judges. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program is nationally sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

About The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Program

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, is committed to restoring the public's trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. Its 106,000 people in 140 countries pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality, and professionalism in providing a range of sophisticated services centered on our core competencies of auditing, accounting, tax, and transactions. Further information about Ernst & Young and its approach to a variety of business issues can be found at www.ey.com/perspectives. Ernst & Young refers to all the members of the global Ernst & Young organization.

About the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City is a private, nonpartisan foundation that works with partners to advance entrepreneurship in America and improve the education of children and youth. The Kauffman Foundation was established in the mid-1960s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman. Information about the Kauffman Foundation is available at www.kauffman.org.