While we know this years Convention theme was “Taking Care of Business” the theme quickly turned into “Happy New Year!”

Let’s not kid ourselves; this last year YTB went through was rough. Internet attacks, legal attacks, media attacks, and attacks on our downline made this a very difficult year. Some said we wouldn’t make it – others were concerned we wouldn’t make it. The warning signs were everywhere for a good three quarters of the year.

Then things started to change. California was settled, (and Scott became close personal friends of Jerry Brown pictured here.) Bob Van Patten came on board as Co-CEO, new Board Members came into the picture, Travel Weekly pumped us up one notch in the Power List, Carnival gave us another Pinnacle Award, and we can’t forget how Judge Murphy put the smack down on the ambulance chasers calling their amended class action redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous.

FINALLY, others were beginning to see the light.

While this years convention didn’t have the glitz of years past, the company made up for it in substance. After all, that’s what most of us are here to see, the big blockbuster announcements. And from our experience over the years, this year was by far the most meaningful in the form of tools for the average Rep and TSO. We credit this to the company and our 2020 Vision Group that was formed and we have to give the company a huge hand here for listening to what we wanted and needed.

Before we head into the details of today’s highlights, we wanted to let you know about the new $10K Challenge that thousands made a commitment to here in St. Louis. You remember the Success From Home Magazine of the last two years. For most of us it was a huge success and most who worked this, and followed up with prospects made far more than the $6000 that company promised to pay.

YTB has upped the same program with the NEW DVD called “Welcome to your new Office”. This will come customized with your own name and URL to hand out to prospects. While enrolled in the program it will also include the NEW YTBSucessSystems.com training and marketing tool launched yesterday in your back office. Now we have a fully functional system to hand out DVD’s, tracking, scheduling, and follow up tools via the new YTB Success System that anyone can duplicate.

The $10K Challenge just went live a few minutes ago, so check it out in your back office NOW!

YTB is back folks! We made it through thanks to the leadership in the field and the leadership of the company. Those that have stuck it out, weathered the storm will ride the next wave of YTB. We think it’s going to be better and stronger than ever.

And when we do, it will leave all the critics stunned and some angry. But when you think about it, success is always the best revenge.

Now on to the announcements…

YTB is currently engaged in talks with Penske Corporation about an addition to the current YTB family of products. YTB is thrilled at the possibility to offer and promote new and used automobile sales, truck rental and leasing, and potentially other Penske offerings through their Internet Business Center.

YTB’s Site Owners will have the unique opportunity to promote these new products possibly as early as this fall.

Take your business to the next level low tech or high tech!

Never be without the ability to sell the YTB Internet Business Center again! Now, you can turn the online buying process into an easy, face-to-face meeting–No Internet needed! For those on the go, YTB will have an application available for iPhone available August 31st.

No more excuses about not having a laptop available to get someone started in our business with these new low tech and high tech options!

The effectiveness of the CRTA is coming back in a more powerful and exciting format called RPM!

“Regional Product Marketing”

Show the incredible potential of this business to your prospects and teach them how to work this business to its full capacity!

The home office will be hand picking top trainers from each region of the Country to host these events for training, motivation, and leadership skills. YTB was built this way once, and YTB will rebuild again using these powerful local events.

More details on these trainings will dates and times will be posted in your Back Office soon!

And the first one was announced here in St. Louis for Funshine down in Orlando September 25-26th. That’s the TRAVEL trade show, that will produce thousands more who want to get trained in the wonderful industry we call travel.

Time to take my wife out  to dinner with some friends who feel like family by now.

It’s been a real pleasure reporting to you this week from St. Louis. I’ll be back Monday for more updates and news about the industry and this awesome company I call YTB!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

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Doug & Ronda Bauknight AKA: TravelPro Travel Agent / Networker Phone: 678.458.5812

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TSO #588629

Tags: Home Based Business, YTB National Convention, YTB News

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 6:32 pm and is filed under Home Based Business, YTB, YTB Marketing, YTB National Convention, YTB News, YTB Travel Network. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.