Expedia is an online travel company initially launched in October 22, 1996 as the first Microsoft internet property. The initial team was composed of Greg Slyngstad, Group Manager; Richard Barton, Group Product Manager; Soraya Bittencourt, Group Program Manager; and Byron Bishop, Group Developer Manager. In 2001, Bill Gates decided to spin off the property to become a public company and raise the financial portfolio of Microsoft. Rich Barton became its CEO and Lloyd Frink who used to work for Richard at Microsoft joined the now independent company. As an Internet-based travel website company with headquarters in Bellevue, Washington. It also has localized sites for 30 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, US, and Vietnam.