Just Picture It Now

Doug

TRO does not bash any MLM company, actually there are few members of MLM there. Might want to read before you assume anyone is bashing anyone.

TRO is a new forum STRICTLY for discussing travel. Its for professional agents only without the drama.

So let me get this straight…the add says:

“Is this the answer or part of the problem?

Moderated by TRO’s John Frenaye in an important discussion of the new TRIP program.

Could it be the answer to cardmills and ‘agent in a box’ programs?”

And Travel MLM’s will never come up?

Cha! Rrrright

Carnival President and Chief Executive Officer Robert H Dickinson! WOW!

I'm so glad we can verify Saunders now. I saw him introduced at the Convention last year and am a bit surprised that it took this long to make the announcement.

Of course no one beliefed us. Now they know.

Didn't take long for them to start spinning all this. News has it that Dickinson will be "cleaning house" is already circulating.

AND they found an unsubstantiated source on some sort of mud about Saunders.

TTA’s spend an enormous amount of time trying to figure out how to separate themselves from us, when all they have to do is focus on their own business. If they offer better service, better knowledge, better pricing, better everything then just do it and let the cards fall were they may. The problem is so much focus on what’s wrong instead of focus on what makes them special. (and I believe many of them are)
Of course, when YTB brings on the former CEO of Carnival, and has an industry leading Trainer like Marc Mancini we come closer and closer to being more like them. I think that really frightens them.
YTB is a powerhouse and when you book $414 mil in travel a year suppliers won’t turn that down. It’s why you don’t find anyone other than Royal Caribbean out there turning their noses up at us.
I can assure you that Bob Dickinson knows exactly who YTB is and what YTB does and it’s a BIG reason why he’s now on the Board of Directors.

Anon:

I couldn’t agree more, great post!

Bob Dickinson does know who we are and what we do, and he sees the big picture. I also agree with how special TTA’s CAN be. I’ve met some very fine TTA’s in my day and not all of them agree with how a select few are spending their time. (Of course many of them are now with us.)

Once I set aside time every day to work on MY business instead of focusing issues that have obviously worked out, things started to get a lot better for me.

Listen, I have a conference call in an hour, and a newsletter to finish up so I’m going to have to call it a night here. (I wanted to before now, but your comments were so dead on I had to post it and comment.)

Doug,

The link to the TTA National Convention is down. Do you think they cancelled in fear that we would all show up and recruit them? How paraniod do you think they are?

Hummmm...could be that it just expired, but I think you could be right. They are very particular about private information. John was very upset about this information being posted on Travel Weekly.

Trust me...Dickinson is a huge worry for them right now. YTB isn't slowing down, and this is just one more example of suppliers welcoming YTB into the fold.

NOT what these very few want.

I will have to disagree on a few points here Doug. Firstly, I belong to TRO, and there are MLM agents on the forum and one is even a moderator. We do not discuss YTB/MLM. Last I checked YTB isn't the only supposed card-mill. It was recently brought up because of a SUPPLIER. But nothing negative has been said as far as I've seen. So its by far the TTA National Convention you all seem to want it to be.

As for the Bob Dickenson deal, majority of the agents I've seen have agreed that this is a good thing for YTB and maybe a way to legitamize the business and possibly put more money in the Tomers pockets. We are not scared, running, or panicking about it.

Would you agree that bringing on Dickinson is the first sign of YTB going legit?

Lisa:

I like you and respect you. You seem to be one of the few that actually work, as you never appeared to be one of the ones who spent all day on the boards.

You are entitled to say what ever you like, but honestly, I have to take all this "talk" with a grain of salt. The actions of a few certainly don't show me anything close to feeling nothing but scared and in a panic.

Actions always speak louder than words.

I do agree that brining Dickinson onto the Board of Directors is very positive. I really like what he had to say about us in Travel Trade.

Anon:

I’m not sure what you’re getting at by “going legit”? I would agree that Dickinson “adds” legitimacy to our company and current business model. (But something tells me, we’re not on the same page or perspective.)

Dickinson Declines YTB Board Post
Thu May 01 2008, by TravelTrade Staff

Bob Dickinson today said that upon further consideration, he has decided to decline his appointment to the YTB International board of directors, which YTB announced yesterday. YTB had not returned a request for comment at posting time.

LOL! Man this has stink all over it. You aren’t quoted one day defending your position to accept and the next day "reconsider".

He was flooded with calls from associates, “Say it aint so Bob!!”

If you don't like the heat...

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted…all 24 hours. ;-P