This week we morn the loss – and celebrate the life of J. Kim Sorensen.

Mere words are difficult to express how stunned we all are over Kim’s sudden passing on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. He was 62 years old.

By all accounts, Kim was well on his way to a full recovery after having a double lung transplant less than a year ago. During last years Convention in St. Louis, Kim let us all know about his condition and how grateful he was to have been given a second chance. While still very weak at Convention time and considered critical in regard to fending off infections – we all admired his strength, his gratitude, and his faith.

Within time, Kim was well enough to return to the Home Office as his familiar “Buddy Boy” rang throughout the office. He was at work as late as this past Monday. A routine Doctors visit was scheduled for Wednesday morning for a checkup and breathing treatment.

It was during this breathing treatment that Kim passed on.

It’s difficult to understand at this point just why someone like Kim had been chosen to leave us so soon. For so many of us, Kim was more than just a Founder and figure head. He was a mentor, a friend, and brother in Christ.

It was Kim who found a bankrupt travel agent call center over a decade ago and the one who born the idea of YTB. (He also found Beryl Martin out of bankruptcy, the company that prints our marketing material and built our staging like the Statue of Liberty.) A very bright and savvy business mind who knew how to diversify and create true financial freedom.

Kim leaves a remarkable legacy in YTB. Personally, I can’t help but think about our new partnership with First Travel Alliance (more news about that later this week) and what Kim set up for all of us late last year. While Kim’s passing is a tragic loss to all of us – YTB Travel Network is stronger than ever.

If we could have only known back then how fortunate we all are today because of this merger. (Don’t think for a second that “Someone” didn’t already know.)

The YTB Home Office will close at 12:00 pm Central Time on Monday, February 6, 2012 in honor of our Founder Kim Sorensen and to allow the YTB Home Team to attend the afternoon Memorial Celebration. Regular office hours will resume Tuesday, February 7.

A public celebration of Kim’s life will be held on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 3:00 pm Central at Enjoy Church in Alton, Illinois. Many of you may know Pastor Daren Carstens from past years Conventions and his Enjoy Church. One HUGE benefit of his church is their Audio/Video ministry which I realized can provide all of us a fitting remembrance and memorial for Kim.

At our suggestion and request – this service will be available to view online live from this link. This will provide all of us an opportunity to participate in this memorial – even if we can’t be there in person.

The Home Office has also created loving a tribute and fond memories of our dear friend available here.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been set up at:

Mid America Transplant Services
1110 Highland Plaza Drive East, Suite 100
St. Louis MO 63110

Or donations may be made to:

Enjoy Church
3303 Homer Adams Parkway
Alton, IL 62002

In closing, and a fitting tribute for us – Kim’s favorite quote that we’re sure you’ve heard if you spent any time with him is “I need everyone to get in the game.”

What better way to honor the life and memory of Kim than that? What better way to appreciate this wonderful opportunity and sell even just one travel booking or vacation in Kim’s honor?! It’s up to us to keep his dream alive and personally, I can’t think of a better product or industry to do it with.

Thank you Kim. For your love, your inspiration, your leadership and your faith in us to make all that we have possible in the world of travel.

You may be gone for now, but never forgotten.

With love and our deepest respect,

Your YTB Family

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Update: I have been flooded with questions regarding the cause of Kim Sorensen’s sudden passing. From what I have been able to gather thus far, Kim was doing very well in his recovery regarding his double lung transplant last year. He was at work in the Home Office on Monday and by all accounts – doing very well.  Kim had a regularly scheduled doctors appointment Wednesday morning where he was to undertake a very common breathing treatment.

It was during this breathing treatment that he passed on.

Details are still coming in along with other arrangements.

We’ll keep you posted as we all morn this sudden loss. 

~~~

I was in a meeting this afternoon and my phone started to ring off the hook. A bunch of YTB names I knew too.

After my meeting, I picked up the voice mail – but could only get through the first message.

YTB Founder, Kim Sorensen has passed away.

I guess the best word I can come up with right now is “stunned”.

Many of us knew from this past years Convention that Kim was given a double lung transplant. A shock to most because Kim was a very private man, and we had no idea that he was even sick. We admired his strength and courage – and most like myself felt he was well on his way to a full recovery.

You may also know that YTB was the brain child of Kim all those years ago. Using travel as a vehicle for a dynamite network marketing model. I had the honor of speaking with Kim one on one several time both in person and over the phone. He was genuine, sincere, and while he didn’t talk about his faith all that much – he certainly walked the walk.

Because of Kim’s leadership YTB climbed Travel Weekly’s Power List since 2006, as well as Travel Weekly naming Kim one of the most influential people in travel directly. He most certainly made an impact in the travel industry – using average every day people to impact the industry.

Here is the notice I received from the Home Office – and really can’t express this loss in any other way. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Today we say goodbye to more than a great man.

It is with great sadness that we announce J. Kim Sorensen took his last breath on Wednesday morning, February 1, 2012. While he will forever be remembered as our fearless Founder, the man who had the vision to see beyond a failed venture and turn it in to one of the greatest stories ever told, we all know that he is much more than that. A great man to say the least, Kim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and dear friend to so many of us.

Please join us in remembering Kim’s extraordinary life and passion for helping individuals write their own success story. As he always said, “I need everyone to get in the game.” Let’s join together to honor his memory and celebrate a life well-lived.

Please share your favorite Kim moments by clicking here.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been determined. More details will be released soon.

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Over the years, we’ve been told by some very irate and irrational “travel agents” that travel vendors despise our company. It’s part of a ploy in an attempt to rid the industry of a business model they don’t understand and actually fear because they can’t wrap their small minds around a very basic and simple business concept.

Because they feel this way – everyone feels this way. It ties into their self worth and identity as a “travel professional”.

I hate to break it to these clowns, but I really don’t have to ask. I’ve seen and heard enough from vendors themselves to know that they not only “get” our company and our model – they’re actually very impressed with what we do and how we do it. You need to realize that these vendors are far more business minded than any of these independent critics that you’ll see floating around slamming our company in order to save their own independent business.

I’ve also been told countless times that our company would never make it in it’s current form. This mantra ties right into the many myths and legends that have choked logical thinking for decades when it comes to Network Marketing. Funny thing is – at this time of year (when another year is almost over) these same critics who have been spewing that we’d never make it past 2008 – then 2009 – and then 2010 – they all lay pretty low right about now.

Reality hit these guys pretty hard recently when they finally figured out after a couple of weeks what Sixth Scott, LLC actually was and what it meant for YTB Travel Network. Not only was this a big blow to their spin pointing at this notion that YTB Travel Network isn’t a legitimate travel business, it also threatens to overturn the one company that went out on a limb for these guys back in 2007.

Fast forward to the end of 2011 and we find ourselves with a brand new booking engine thanks to our new partnership with Sixth Scott – but we find yet another travel vendor who has recognized YTB Travel Network as a top producer in the travel industry.

For those of you who appreciate YTB the way I do – please enjoy the following press release.

For those who don’t – it’s yet another example of how you just can’t admit that you don’t have a clue about who we are and what we actually do.

And to Travel Impressions – Please remember that any backlash you may get from recognizing a solid, viable, and legitimate Travel Host is indicative of how badly we not only need new blood in this industry but updated minds in business in order to thrive in these changing times.

YTB TRAVEL NETWORK RECOGNIZED AS A TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS’ ‘BEST OF THE BEST’ TRAVEL AGENCY

FARMINGDALE, NY (Dec. 8, 2011) – YTB Travel Network was recognized recently by Travel Impressions (http://www.TravelImpressions.com), one of the country’s largest tour operators selling destinations worldwide, as a “Best of the Best” travel agency which is given to top performing agencies and consortia partners. YTB Travel Network was invited to attend Travel Impressions 16th annual “Best of the Best” gala event, held Nov. 30 – Dec. 3, 2011 at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach in Cancún, Mexico.

“Best of the Best” honors are bestowed on a limited number of agencies that are top producers for Travel Impressions, and that are considered to be its best partners.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of Travel Impressions’ Best of the Best travel agency partners,” said Shelly Coppersmith. “We are committed to providing our clients with the very best vacation experience and working with Travel Impressions ensures a high level of customer satisfaction.”

In attendance at the Best of the Best four-day event from YTB Travel Network was VP Shelly Coppersmith. She was able to hear an industry update from Travel Impressions’ President and CEO Steve Gorga as well as participate in round table networking sessions with attending suppliers. A golf tournament and spa pampering at the Coral Beach Gem Spa were also offered.

There were many sponsored events and activities including a welcome dinner hosted by the Cancún Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office, a dinner reception on the second evening sponsored by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, and the gala cocktail reception hosted by Mexican Tourism Board.

A performance by The Village People, best known for the disco hits YMCA, Macho Man and In the Navy, was a highlight of the “Best of the Best” gala celebration.

In the spirit of holiday giving, YTB Travel Network participated in Travel Impressions charity program by donating a variety of school supplies to the Palace Resorts Foundation’s Education Committee for distribution to school children in Cancún.

Travel Impressions
Founded in 1974, Travel Impressions is one of the nation’s largest leisure tour operators and a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express. The company offers FIT vacations to over 200 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, Dubai, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the Islands of Tahiti, Canada, Hawaii and the Continental U.S., and features more than 2,800 resorts, hotels and luxury villas. Travel Impressions has received multiple industry awards for outstanding customer service, best overall operations, best technology, most knowledgeable reservations staff and leading marketing materials – all dedicated to better serving travel agents and their clients.

For more information about Travel Impressions, call 1-800-284-0044 / 631-845-8000, or visit the website: http://www.TravelImpressions.com. Find the tour operator on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/travelimpressionsvacations and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/travelimp.

YTB TRAVEL NETWORK
YTB International, Inc.’s travel subsidiary, YTB Travel Network, Inc. was recognized as the 34th largest seller of travel in the U.S. in Travel Weekly’s 2011 Power List, based on 2010 annual retail value of travel services booked.

YTB, based in Wood River, IL, provides e-commerce business solutions for individual consumers and home-based independent representatives in the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Canada. The Company operates through two subsidiaries: YTB, Inc. (formerly ZamZuu, Inc., YTB Marketing, Inc. and YourTravelBiz.com, Inc.) and YTB Travel Network, Inc.

Learn more about YTB at http://www.ytb.com or http://www.ytbi.com.

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As kids, we always want toys under the Christmas tree. As we age and get older, our interest in toys appears to change. For yours truly – they get a bit more technical and more expensive.

Hey – I still love my toys. ;-P

I would imagine however that a sizable percentage of us however would be very happy with cold hard cash under the tree as we get older. If I had to guess, it’s because cash gives us the ability to buy exactly what we want.

I have no idea what other companies are doing this year for Christmas in regards to Christmas bonuses. I would imagine that some will continue to ride the “bad economic times” coat tails. Bad economy or not, I remember two years when instead of a bonus – either myself or Ronda got laid off right around Christmas time.

And some wonder why we don’t consider a “job” very stable and looked at something like Network Marketing to earn income.

See – at least in Network Marketing or Direct Sales YOU control of how much you make. You’re paid in direct proportion to the results you produce. Which for those who have been brain washed into thinking you only need to exchange time for money is a real problem. For those that actually get this concept and take control of their time to treat MLM like a legitimate business (despite the low cost of entry) it can produce very lucrative results.

For anyone who’s not afraid of sales and knows how to manage their time and activities properly, there’s nothin’ better or more rewarding.

That being said – I’d challenge anyone to provide me with a bonus offer like the one I received late last week that kicks off today. Here’s a company that puts YOU in the drivers seat and enables you to create your own bonus this year.

It’s not like a traditional bonus. It’s one that you have to earn. But it’s also one that puts you in the drivers seat – enabling you to create your own outcome.

Here’s how it reads:

Earn a 25% BONUS this Christmas!

Introducing YTB Unwrapped this week – December 5-11, 2011.

With the big holiday gift giving season upon us, YTB wants to help make it a bit more manageable. For one week only beginning Monday, December 5, you’ll have the ability to earn a 25% bonus when you sell over $500 worth of products (excludes Travel Program Sales). And, that’s on top of your normal commission payout!

Here’s how it works:
Sell at least $500 worth of products (such as Suklaa, GreenTech, Z Mobile, or Ganovia) in any combination to non-Rep customers and we’ll pay you 25% of your retail amount sold.

For example, anyone who sells $500 will receive a bonus of $125 plus commission!

YTB Unwrapped begins Monday, December 5 — 5:00 p.m. Central with a special webcast on www.ZamZuuTV.biz

YTB Unwrapped will rebroadcast all week long at the top of every hour through December 11. Each product line will have its own 10-minute spot with 2 minutes in between. (We’ll also post these on our YouTube page to share individually with a prospective customer!)

Start scheduling appointments or host a party to showcase one or all of the YTB Family of products this week!

A couple points of clarification on what qualifies:
Shipping and taxes are not included in the retail price for this promotion. Sales are calculated to full paying clients outside of the YTB company. Sales at Rep pricing are not eligible for this bonus.

Let’s make this Christmas even more joyful with a 25% bonus!

~~~

I gotta tell you – this is why I love YTB and what it stands for. It’s product driven and empowers those who get Direct Sales and results based income. If you have the capacity to grasp the tools provided and the fact that you’re in control – it’s an incredible and very generous offer. 

It should make Christmas very merry this year anyone who goes out an earns it.

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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Over the Thanksgiving break, Ronda and her Mom had the bright idea of heading out to WalMart Thanksgiving night for a couple of “door busters” that where advertised in the Thanksgiving Day Flyer. The rational was that THIS Walmart was out in the boonies and the crowds wouldn’t be as large.

WRONG! They both headed out at 9:45pm for the 10:00pm sale and were home by 10:10pm. See, THIS Walmart was so packed that people were parking across the four lane highway and walking across to get these deals. Just a quick glance at the huge crowd turned them around to head home. These “deals” weren’t worth the hassle or madness.

Not when you’re at risk of getting pepper sprayed!

Me, I’ll just shop online. Been doing it for years and I’m not about to change now. Especially when I can shop AND get commission for whatever it is I’m looking for. While Black Friday’s sales were good, Cyber Monday today should outshine Black Friday by a long shot. The best place to find all these deals in one place is our ZamZuu site. (Type in “Cyber Monday” in the search bar of our ZamZuu site for all the stores offering Cyber Monday specials!)

Below is a list sent out from the Home Office of just a few of the specials you’ll find today. Most are good for today only, but a few carry over into tomorrow. It’s worth checking out, and you’ll never know what you might find doing a search. It’s quick, it’s super easy, and pepper spray is NOT an option in the comfort of your own home.

AdditionElle: This Cyber Monday, get 25% off your order + Free Shipping online at AdditionElle! Use Promo Code: AECYBER2011 (Valid Nov 28th only)

Alloy: Free Shipping on All Orders online at Alloy! Use Code CYFS. Valid 11.28

Avenue: Online at Avenue Cyber Monday Offer 50% off 3 or more items + free shipping with code AV111322 valid 11/28 only!

Executive Essentials: Shop Cyber Monday- Save up to 75% on memorable gifts- Fine Pens, Globes, Wallets, Wine Carriers, more online at Executive Essentials! Free Shipping on $50+ orders. 11/28 and 11/29

Dell: Special door busters – today only online at Dell! Limited quantities. Plus Free Shipping on all PCs. Nobody does Cyber Monday like Dell!

IceJerseys: CyberMonday – 15% OFF Apparel & Accessories online at IceJerseys-
Promotion runs from 12:00 am EST on Monday Nov. 28, 2011 until 11:59 pm EST on Monday Nov. 28, 2011.

Jos. A Bank: Cyber Monday Special online at Jos. A Bank! 50% Off The Entire Site and FREE Shipping No Minimum! (11.28.11 ONLY!)

Maidenform: Cyber Monday Sale Take 50% OFF Sitewide Plus Free Shipping on all U.S. orders One Day Only Online at Maidenform!

Crocs: 25% Off Sitewide (some exclusions apply) Online at Crocs and Crocs Canada! 11/28

Life Uniform: Cyber Weekend Offer – 20% off site wide plus free shipping online at Life Uniform – No Code Required 11/28 to 11/29

Walgreens: $10 off $40 Sitewide online at Walgreens. 11/28

Kmart: Online at Kmart Cyber Monday Sale! Shop Thousands of Deals + FREE Shipping on $49 with code HOLIDAY

NunnBush: Cyber Monday! Take 30% off any purchase online at NunnBush using promo code Cyber11! 11/28

Florsheim: Cyber Monday! Take 50% off this select group of shoes online at Florsheim! Use code Cyber11

Penningtons: This Cyber Monday, get 25% off your order + Free Shipping online at Penningtons! Use Promo Code: PTX25 (Valid Nov 28 only)

Cesar’s Way: Cyber Monday deal – 10% off any size order online at Cesar’s Way. Use CESAR at checkout. Valid Cyber Monday only. 12:01 AM PST – 11:59 PM PST.

Famous Footwear: During the Buy One, Get One 1/2 Off Sale take an additional 20% off sitewide + Free Shipping with promo code CYBER11! Online at FamousFootwear Valid 11/28/2011. Exclusions apply.

Easy Spirit: Online at Easy Spirit Today Only! Save Up to 60% + Free Shipping On All Orders! Discount reflected at checkout.

Macy’s Canada: Find Huge Savings online at Macys Canada at the Cyber Monday Sale + $9.99CAD Flat rate shipping! 11/28/11 Only!

Macy’s U.S.: Cyber Monday Specials + Free Every Day Shipping Sitewide with $75 Purchase online at Macys (US)! Valid 11-28-2011 Only.

Target: Cyber Monday Only Deals at Target! Save Up to 80% on Entertainment!

Home Depot: Today only Cyber Monday savings Now at Home Depot! Up to 40% Off Appliances, 25% Off Dyson Vacuums, 20% Off Thousands of Area Rugs, 20% Off Select KOHLER Products, 10% Off Select Tile, 50% Off Select Patio Sets, 20% Off Select Artificial Christmas Trees, and More!

Kohl’s: Take an Extra 20% off your entire purchase today at Kohls. Enter promo code CYBER20 at checkout. AND get Free Shipping sitewide no minimum purchase required.

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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If you’re like us, the Holiday Season is jam packed. (This year more than ever!)

If your like me, you want to avoid the malls at all costs. (LOL!)

We’ve saved both time and money over the last couple of years by shopping online and let the stores come to us. Shopping online these days is not only easy and secure, for someone like me who doesn’t have a lot of spare time (and hates shopping) this is a perfect solution.

That’s why we love ZamFest – which kicks off tonight. Not only will you find a great selection of deals, but you’ll find a lot of items you probably won’t have to fight over in the stores. Most of these deals expire on November 17, 2011 unless otherwise noted. Shop early and SAVE!

We got a sneak peak late last night at some of the deals you’ll be able to find and have listed them for you below.

Enjoy!

ZamTek Wireless — Black Friday Comes Early – Exclusive pricing on new and best sellers with Bluetooth headset & car charger. Jump start your gift list with these exclusive wireless deals without the wait. This is your chance to a get a Samsung Transform, Samsung Stratosphere or myTouch Q free with 2-year carrier agreement. Plus, for 3-days only get a Bluetooth® headset and car charger FREE on select devices. For this great deal and more visit ZamTek on a ZamZuu Shopping Site!

Pacific Sunwear: Men’s Hoodies, Fleece and Jackets: Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off. Ends 11/17

Personalize That!: Receive 20% off your order. Use discount code- Black Friday Comes Early!

Ghiada: 50% off in stock product! Limited availability! Email zamfest@zamzuu.com with your size, and we’ll let you know what we have in stock! Hurry! This is a close out Special!

Ganovia Coffee: Huge Savings! Purchase for only $16.99 per bag!

Samsonite: Limited Time Web-Only Special – $25 off every $125 you spend. Use Promo Code: 25OFF125. Ends Wednesday, November 23, 2011 11:59 PM PST. Some exclusions apply.

ZamZuu Nutrition: Get four boxes of your favorite product for the price of one!

pH perfect: Purchase an Alkaline Stick for only $35 or the home ionizer for only $750!

NBC Universal Store: Fans & Family, 20% Off Sitewide & 15% Off DVDs. Now through 11/17

Appliances Connection: Pre-Black Friday Sale 20% OFF select Appliances thru Nov 24th

Chaé Organics: Receive 25% off all open stock inventory, excluding collection, business builder kits and specials! Additional Specials: Four Holiday collections are available – Chaé Essentials, Tooth polish/sanitizer trio, body butter/salt scrub duo, and Oh Baby! Chaé Baby! Bonus! First 50 Qualified orders will receive a free lifesaver collection!

ReNew Life: Receive 10% on all products during ZamFest! Clear: Stock up on Clear Products and receive 20% off during ZamFest using promo code: Coach.

Nine West: Nine West Get Good Sale 30% – 50% Off Select Styles! Shop Now Through Nov 21.

Elizabeth Arden: 33-Piece Holiday Color Collection ($350 value) for JUST $27.50 from Elizabeth Arden. Now through 11/30.

Restaurant.com: Get $25 Restaurant Gift Certificates for $3 with code ZAMFEST! Now through 11/20 BONUS!

Mystery Product: Zamzuu be unveiling a brand new line during ZamFest! Be sure and tune in for the exciting reveal, and receive 25% savings on the entire line.

Tune in tonight beginning at 7:00 p.m. Central on http://www.ZamZuuTV.com. We’ll be rebroadcasting at the top of every hour until Midnight, November 17, 2011.

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.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

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