Forthcoming Proposal
I was telling someone a few weeks ago that things were going to be very slow news wise up until the National Convention in a few weeks. I have to apologize to that person…Boy did I get that one wrong! It made perfect sense when I said it…why would the company release any new features, announcements, upgrades before the biggest meeting of the year?
Of course it’s not all YTB’s fault. We certainly can’t help that the news media took a keen interest in our Lady Liberty that’s now complete and ready to ship to the convention.
The last few days YTB has come to the forefront once again and the speculation is flying all over the place. I would have thought both events would have been worthy enough to save for the Convention. We can all figure out just why we took the Booking Engine and Steals and Deals links off the Marketing sites. It has been mentioned that this was long overdue and really should have been done at the same time the Rep Links were taken off the Booking Engines years ago. It’s my believe that this separation between the Marketing Site and our Booking Engine is going to prove to be an important element, but for different reasons.
The news yesterday, I suspect was offered up in response to some rumors that I’ve heard about running around the Network Marketing circles which surfaced a few weeks ago. Rumor has it that YTB is getting out of the MLM business.
I’m really not at Liberty (pun intended) right now to write about what all this means. (Other than I REALLY like the idea of being a Franchise Owner.) I do want to point out that the company is only “contemplating” at this time. I’m amazed and dazzled however at how some of our critics who are so well versed as “MLM Experts” were able to switch hats at a moments notice and suddenly become “Franchise Experts”. How they know so much about everything astounds even me.
Here is what I will do. I will post the Press Release here in its entirety and the emphasis will be mine as you read the company statement. For those of us in YTB who truly understand our model, please read carefully and it’s my hope that with my emphasis, you will get a more accurate interpretation of what is being conveyed in this release.
We can let the “experts” speculate on their own. Frankly at this point, I’m actually very amused over some of the interpretations and concerns over this. Reading comprehension and full understanding of YTB’s two separate and unique business models are at a premium. Lack of fully understanding our current business model can be oh so dangerous.
YTB International Contemplates Implementation of Franchises
Company Considers Adopting Franchise Operating System in 2009
WOOD RIVER, Ill., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- YTB International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: YTBLA) ('YTB' or the 'Company'), a provider of Internet-based travel booking services for travel agencies and home-based independent representatives in the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Canada, today announced that the Company is contemplating the replacement of its referring travel agent ('RTA') business model with the implementation of a franchise operating system, potentially in 2009. The Company expects that a franchising model, if adopted, would facilitate the Company's expansion into additional markets by providing more comprehensive training and a new proprietary e-commerce platform.
Details regarding price, product offerings and the conversion plan are all under consideration, but the Company anticipates that its existing RTA base would be treated favorably under its forthcoming proposal. Scott Tomer, Chief Executive Officer of YTB International, Inc. commented, 'We have retained iFranchise of Chicago to consult in the planning and development of the franchise model and are excited about the potential impact on YTB's business.' If a franchising model is adopted, its distribution is expected to be managed by the current marketing arm of the Company, YourTravelBiz.com, also known as YTB.com
The iFranchise Group brings decades of experience to franchise development and implementation efforts. Their consultants have worked with over 30 Fortune 2000 companies and with 98 of the world's top 200 franchisors as rated by Franchise Times magazine. iFranchise has worked with clients such as Blockbuster Video, Ace Hardware, and McDonald's.
About YTB International
Recognized as the 26th largest seller of travel in the U.S. for travel sales reported in 2007 by Travel Weekly, YTB International, Inc. provides Internet-based travel booking services for home-based independent representatives in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Canada, Bermuda, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Company operates through three subsidiaries: YourTravelBiz.com, Inc., YTB Travel Network, Inc., and REZconnect Technologies, Inc. YourTravelBiz.com focuses on marketing online travel websites through a nationwide network of independent business people, known as 'Reps.' YTB Travel Network establishes and maintains travel vendor relationships, processes travel transactions of online travel agents and affiliates, collects travel commissions and pays sales commissions. Each RTA directs consumers to the YTB Internet-based travel website. The REZconnect Technologies division operates as a travel vendor relationship management company and offers franchises of brick and mortar travel agencies. For more information, visit http://www.ytbi.com/investor.
Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.
SOURCE YTB International, Inc.
PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Book Your Travel & Vacations With
Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635
Of course it’s not all YTB’s fault. We certainly can’t help that the news media took a keen interest in our Lady Liberty that’s now complete and ready to ship to the convention.
The last few days YTB has come to the forefront once again and the speculation is flying all over the place. I would have thought both events would have been worthy enough to save for the Convention. We can all figure out just why we took the Booking Engine and Steals and Deals links off the Marketing sites. It has been mentioned that this was long overdue and really should have been done at the same time the Rep Links were taken off the Booking Engines years ago. It’s my believe that this separation between the Marketing Site and our Booking Engine is going to prove to be an important element, but for different reasons.The news yesterday, I suspect was offered up in response to some rumors that I’ve heard about running around the Network Marketing circles which surfaced a few weeks ago. Rumor has it that YTB is getting out of the MLM business.
I’m really not at Liberty (pun intended) right now to write about what all this means. (Other than I REALLY like the idea of being a Franchise Owner.) I do want to point out that the company is only “contemplating” at this time. I’m amazed and dazzled however at how some of our critics who are so well versed as “MLM Experts” were able to switch hats at a moments notice and suddenly become “Franchise Experts”. How they know so much about everything astounds even me.
Here is what I will do. I will post the Press Release here in its entirety and the emphasis will be mine as you read the company statement. For those of us in YTB who truly understand our model, please read carefully and it’s my hope that with my emphasis, you will get a more accurate interpretation of what is being conveyed in this release.
We can let the “experts” speculate on their own. Frankly at this point, I’m actually very amused over some of the interpretations and concerns over this. Reading comprehension and full understanding of YTB’s two separate and unique business models are at a premium. Lack of fully understanding our current business model can be oh so dangerous.
YTB International Contemplates Implementation of Franchises
Company Considers Adopting Franchise Operating System in 2009
WOOD RIVER, Ill., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- YTB International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: YTBLA) ('YTB' or the 'Company'), a provider of Internet-based travel booking services for travel agencies and home-based independent representatives in the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Canada, today announced that the Company is contemplating the replacement of its referring travel agent ('RTA') business model with the implementation of a franchise operating system, potentially in 2009. The Company expects that a franchising model, if adopted, would facilitate the Company's expansion into additional markets by providing more comprehensive training and a new proprietary e-commerce platform.
Details regarding price, product offerings and the conversion plan are all under consideration, but the Company anticipates that its existing RTA base would be treated favorably under its forthcoming proposal. Scott Tomer, Chief Executive Officer of YTB International, Inc. commented, 'We have retained iFranchise of Chicago to consult in the planning and development of the franchise model and are excited about the potential impact on YTB's business.' If a franchising model is adopted, its distribution is expected to be managed by the current marketing arm of the Company, YourTravelBiz.com, also known as YTB.com
The iFranchise Group brings decades of experience to franchise development and implementation efforts. Their consultants have worked with over 30 Fortune 2000 companies and with 98 of the world's top 200 franchisors as rated by Franchise Times magazine. iFranchise has worked with clients such as Blockbuster Video, Ace Hardware, and McDonald's.
About YTB International
Recognized as the 26th largest seller of travel in the U.S. for travel sales reported in 2007 by Travel Weekly, YTB International, Inc. provides Internet-based travel booking services for home-based independent representatives in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Canada, Bermuda, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Company operates through three subsidiaries: YourTravelBiz.com, Inc., YTB Travel Network, Inc., and REZconnect Technologies, Inc. YourTravelBiz.com focuses on marketing online travel websites through a nationwide network of independent business people, known as 'Reps.' YTB Travel Network establishes and maintains travel vendor relationships, processes travel transactions of online travel agents and affiliates, collects travel commissions and pays sales commissions. Each RTA directs consumers to the YTB Internet-based travel website. The REZconnect Technologies division operates as a travel vendor relationship management company and offers franchises of brick and mortar travel agencies. For more information, visit http://www.ytbi.com/investor.
Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.
SOURCE YTB International, Inc.
PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Book Your Travel & Vacations With
Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635
Labels: Scott Tomer, Travel Agent Issues, Travel MLM, YTB International, YTB National Convention, YTB Travel Network
