Expedia, Inc., the company that operates one of the world’s most popular Web portals for researching, planning, and booking travel, has donated $50,000 to the Hospitality Industry Relief Fund (HIRF).

The fund was established in early September by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Education Foundation to directly benefit hospitality and meetings industry employees affected by Hurricane Katrina.

PCMA operates the fund in partnership with the Association for Convention Management Operations (ACOM), the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), and the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE).

The PCMA Capital Chapter (located in the Washington, DC area) donated $11,000 and AARP also donated $5,000. A total of 65 organizations and individuals have made contributions.

“As soon as the disaster happened we were looking for a way as quickly and directly as possible to help the people in the hospitality industry in the Gulf Coast region who have made us successful,” said Expedia Director of Corporate Social Responsibility Marj Charlier.

“We specifically wanted to help employees who have provided the service for our customers. They are also the ones who have made New Orleans successful as a tourist attraction. We were also certain that PCMA would use the money effectively and it would go to the people who need it the most.”

“We are honored that such a well-known and respected organization such as Expedia has made such a large donation,” said PCMA President & CEO Deborah Sexton. “From the beginning, we decided that our efforts should be targeted directly toward the people that make our industry successful, and we’re delighted that our partners and donors share this view.”

HIRF is also planning an online auction of travel packages, including airline tickets, hotel accommodations, theater and attraction tickets, and more that will raise money for the fund. Proceeds will directly benefit hospitality industry workers impacted by the 2005 hurricanes.

The auction will be conducted in early 2006. Suppliers interested in donating a travel package for the auction can visit http://archive.pcma.org/downloads/Auction.doc for more information.

Anyone interested in contributing to HIRF can do so by credit card or check. Credit Card Payments can be made online at www.pcma.org/donations, or checks can be made out to the “Hospitality Industry Relief Fund” and mailed to: PCMA HIRF, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 1001, Chicago, IL 60616.

Receipts will be provided to everyone making a donation.