One of the things I love about YTB is the industry recognition we’ve been able to attain. Of course, because it’s YTB, it’s also surrounded with what some might consider “controversy”. YTB has been a part of Travel Weekly’s Power List the last two years and there’s no reason to believe that we won’t be part of the annual publication again later this month. YTB has also gained recognition from Princess as a Top Agency Producer, Apple Vacations Platinum Award, and of course most recently YTB’s 4th Pinnacle Award from Carnival.

You might think it would be somewhat difficult to argue that YTB has made a significant impact as a Travel Agency. Unfortunately, some can’t get past the recruiting aspect of YTB Marketing to allow themselves to look at YTB as anything other than an MLM. Even more unfortunate, because they can’t look past that aspect of that business model, many have spent a considerable amount of time attempting to discredit or diminish YTB’s accomplishments as a legitimate Travel Agency model.

After all these years of awards and recognition, I’m no longer going to call this controversy however, I’m going to call it as I see it.

Nothing more than excuses.

Many thought that YTB’s first appearance in Travel Weekly’s Power List back in 2007 as the 35th largest Seller of Travel Services consisted of nothing more than “recruiting sales”. A variance of about $125 million between recruiting sales found in our SEC filings and travel sales reported by Travel Weekly. The variance didn’t matter much to critics. They only needed to come up with something to discredit YTB’s existence on the Power List.

When travel weekly came out with last years Power List with a jump to #26, Travel Weekly was kind enough to document that the numbers came only from direct travel sales, not referrals or any other nonqualified revenues.

The excuse we’ve heard in 2008/2009 is that half of the sales came from our RezConnect partners in New Jersey as “third party sales”. I’m hearing rumblings that excuse will also be put to rest this year in an attempt to educate and document keeping the spin from critics to a minimum. If what I’ve been told is true, you’ll realize just how little critics really know and understand about our company, the industry, and how Travel Weekly tabulates thier findings in this annual publication.

Travel Weekly has taken a considerable amount of heat over the last two years because they have accepted YTB as a legitimate seller of travel. Many have pointed fingers at Travel Weekly stating that Travel Weekly is being played for a sucker when it includes YTB in the annual Power List. Travel Weekly has given YTB an opportunity to respond to this criticism over the years, and has made several statements of thier own that YTB not only qualifies, but belongs right where it is on the Power List. There have been a number of articles which are linked to all over this blog from various travel publications that not only speak to YTB’s legitimacy in this industry as a Travel Agency but how productive our model truly is.

Most recently there have been attempts to spin, discredit, or excuse Carnival’s Pinnacle Award as nothing more than a simple recommendation from our BDM Ann Sedgwick. The fact that Ann was even asked via several e-mails and/or phone calls asking her to verify that this was in fact our 4th Pinnacle in as many years should cement how desperate (or just board) some critics are to find something they can use to take this recognition away. Ann, being smart, differed any questions to the Corporate Office and critics took the Corporate response and somehow twisted the response to mean that YTB’s Pinnacle was awarded based soley on Ann’s “recommendation”.

True, Ann did recommend YTB as a Top Seller in her area, which was then thrown into the mix to tabulate all agency sales from all BDM recommendations. All Agency recommendations were then selected based on certain sales criteria and ability to exhibit excellence in promoting and selling the Carnival product.

It’s getting harder and harder for critics to come up with excuses when there’s documentation like this that should stop them dead in thier tracks. Please note that I said “should” there, because in reality it doesn’t. They either move on ignoring any documentation, or attempt to throw out more questions in an attempt to take the focus of themselves. Nobody likes to be proven wrong and most will get extremely defensive when called out. You might consider it human nature, but from what I’ve learned over the years, getting defensive is nothing more than a “learned response”, much like the response they have towards MLM.

Monkey see…monkey do.

But it is getting harder and harder to keep up with their charade. The law suit that was filed in California to shut YTB down turned out to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors when it was all said and done. (We are still in business in case you hadn’t heard.) Law suits happen. It’s part of being in business, especially when you change an industry the way YTB has. Heck, take a look at what happened to Expedia a couple weeks ago when they got slapped with $184 million judgment. Makes YTB’s $1 million settlement look like chump change.

But nobody talks about Expedia, nor is there any fear of Expedia going out of business. Most of Expedia’s clients wouldn’t have a the first clue about a judgment like this. (Why would they even care?) But with YTB, somehow it’s different because of the phobias surrounding MLM. Yet, in all the years I’ve been booking travel with YTB “MLM” has never been an issue. Why? Because I don’t recruit clients, and based on two years worth of Income Disclosure Statements, neither does the rest of the company. Recuriting is reserved for about 10% of the entire company based on the facts and documentation.

Most in YTB sell travel provided by the supporting documentation in Travel Weekly, and awards from Carnival, Princess, Apple, and also supported in our own Income Disclosures.

Thus the “controversy” that still surrounds YTB and it’s business model comes to a close. I can’t tell you how long we’ll have to endure the “excuses” in an attempt to make it look like “controversy”. About all I can tell you is that there is enough documentation out there right now to expose the controversy for what it really is.

Time will tell. For myself however, I’ve made the transistion and need to call this spade a spade.

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UPDATE: I have been informed that the Press Release that was scheduled to be released has been postponed until all documentation has been filed with the courts and settlement is final. From my understanding, this should take 5 business days. An 8-K was filed today with YTB’s statement that a tentative agreement has been reached. While critics are still somewhat shell shocked that something like this was even a possibility, the Trade Publications are picking up and running with this story. (I assume after verifying with all parties?)

After all, this is YTB and it’s bound to be newsworthy.

You may now exhale.

It was a day I’ll always remember, it was August, and the day before the National Convention was about to open in St. Louis when news spread of a $25 million lawsuit filed by the California Attorney General with claims that YTB was nothing more that a “gigantic pyramid scheme”. The timing of the release of this suit was impeccable and the strategy in releasing it during the National Convention was meant to deflate the ranks then and there, at the National Convention and an attempt squash the big bad YTB.

Over the last 7 months, we’ve heard all kinds of bogus claims that everyone and their mother wanted in on the action, every state in the Union would be joining in, and a couple of Civil Suits were filed in Illinois to the tune of $100 million each by a number of ambulance chasers. News also came at the beginning of the year that a trial date was set for September 21st, and there would be no way that YTB could last until that date, only to fold long before it ever came to trial.

Just last week, I saw a post from one of the more outspoken critics who laid claim that:

“suffice to say I have it on good authority that there is no impending arbitration or settlement.

YTB has no money for any sizable fine. Your ignorance of the CA SOT laws is evident. The RTAs would never need to pay a monthly fee to California, and quite likely as a result of this, they will get back all of their fees paid to YTB because YTB assured them that they were legally operating.”

The guy simply likes to look like he has all the authority in the world. I had official word that YTB would be in California the very next day, and his post was further clarification that this dolt was simply running his mouth off…again. The guy is a sucker for any rumor that’s started, and has no idea who’s an authority and who isn’t. (Though I hear he likes to play one on his blog.)

Fact is that “official word” right now is the legal counsel of YTB and CEO Scott Tomer are pleased to announce that we have a tentative settlement agreement with the State of California as of today, Monday, April 6, 2009.

YTB will continue to focus on its objectives and move forward with it’s Reps and RTA’s in building a great company.

So much for the Jerry Browns intent to shut YTB down completely. (Although some didn’t understand his authority was limited to California.) In a way, this is very good news for our critics who couldn’t wait until the September because now they don’t have to wait to find out that the suit that they had so much faith in didn’t have the teeth they thought it did. It was very clear to me that the AG didn’t have a clue when a week ago when they were interviewed in a FOX News piece when Deputy Attorney General James Tomas said:

“YTB is an endless chain scheme…a program where someone pays in order to have a chance to make money through the recruitment of additional people.”

Problem with it is, I’ve never paid a dime for a “chance to recruit other people”. I paid for a booking engine so I could sell travel.

I handed my CPA two 1009’s last week, one from YourTravelBiz.com, which I am paid for selling Booking Engines. (Anyone of you could do the same, free of charge.) Another was from YTB Travel Network, which I did pay for a web site to enable me to sell travel. The two separate 1099′s have been that way ever since I’ve been with YTB. (2005) One I paid for, just like I would with any other Host Agency of like services.

The other hasn’t cost me a dime, nor do I make a dime unless I sell a booking engine.

It’s extremely difficult, if not utterly impossible to loose money when there is no money exchanged for a chance to recruit other poeple.

Details of the settlement are still coming in a I type, and an official Press Release will be issued on Tuesday about the settlement. Needless to say, the mood at the Home Office is very upbeat and we can now focus on taking back what we lost during the time when these false and misleading accusations were thrown up against the company.

As for the critics. I’d venture to say they’ll come up with a gazillion questions, reasons why it’s a mistake, question the justice system, and how YTB couldn’t afford a settlement because they have no money. (Or so they think.)

I’ve been waiting seven long months to say this, and those of you who know me best know what I’m about to say to our critics who have been just as obnoxious and condescending as anyone could possibly be, because they were certain that my days with YTB were about to come to an end.

I know it’s unprofessional, and I know I should take that high road on this, but whey their road is so slimy and low to begin with, this IS a step up.

Na – Nah – Na – Nahh – Naahhh – Naahhhhhhh!

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Somehow they have this perception that because I associate and work with a Travel MLM that I damage their reputation as a Travel Professional. I’ve seen these folks do and say just about anything to warn you that I’m up to no good, my only interest is picking your pocket by recruiting you, and I couldn’t possibly have any interest in selling and servicing travel.

If you happen to be one of the ones reading this making those claims about me, I would argue that you are doing an outstanding job of damaging your own reputation and you certainly don’t need any help from me in that regard.

We also hear all too often that suppliers are cutting YTB off left and right. They hate us in much the same way they do. The vendors and suppliers appear to side with these overzealous Travel Agents and also want to rid the industry of our like.

I had an interesting post sent to me last week, and while I know very little about this individual, his quote speaks volumes about how the suppliers really feel about YTB but more importantly how they feel about these overzealous Agents and what they REALLY want to tell them.

Responses to this individual’s complaining to his employer were as follows:

“The MLMs don’t bring in enough business to worry about them.”
“We don’t treat them the same way as our traditional agencies.”
“We will take their bookings (money) and supply them our product.”
“Stop worrying about them.”
“You are not to discuss the MLMs with the agents or agencies.”

Of course these answers from the overzealous employee aren’t what he wants to hear and this cat can’t seem to get out of his own way to relieve his fears and misconceptions about Network Marketing. Thus you find this employee hanging out on a forum with other zealots that support his views. All while the employer remains unaware the employee refuses to abide by the employers wishes.

I’ve heard for a number of years that suppliers and vendors would cut YTB off. It wasn’t until last year, almost to the day, that one supplier decided to side with PATH (Professional Association of Travel Hosts) and terminate its relationship with the largest of the Travel MLM’s. Other than Royal Caribbean, I’m only aware of a Perillo Tours and another company called Celtic Tours, both of which never really did any business with YTB to begin with. (Neither were listed in our back office as a supplier.)

I find it difficult to terminate a relationship when there wasn’t a relationship to begin with, but that’s just me.

As I look back at the one public company who did side with the overzealous Agent Associations and this termination, the VP of Sales was moved over to Hotel Services, and shares of RCL stock has fallen from $42.24 this time last year to a 7 year low of $14.00 at the close of business Friday.

Not a very auspicious move for the company.

During this same period of time we have seen another cruise line come up with a very solid solution in minimum booking requirements concerning FAMs while maintaining its relationship with the 26th largest travel company in the country.

If you take a look at Carnival, they just announced they’ll be dropping their fuel surcharges moving forward, and provided a HUGE jump in Net Income for its 3rd Quarter results.

Hmmmmmmm, interesting.

I’m well aware of all the personal views and opinions that are circulating out there on the Internet about YTB and Network Marketing in general. Fortunately for the vast majority of the suppliers and vendors out there it’s not personal.

Its business.

For the overzealous and obsessed agents out there that read this blog on a regular basis, you may want to take note of how obnoxious YOU appear to the suppliers and vendors you’re attempting to recruit to your side. Based on how few have actually pulled the trigger and terminated their relationship with YTB and other travel MLM’s it appears that your concerns and misgivings about YOUR industry are falling of deaf ears.

While I’m sure they take the time to listen to you, and provide the lip service you’re looking for, behind closed doors they only care about their bottom line.

Don’t they?

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Before I head out today for an extended weekend with family, I wanted to do one last post. I can’t tell you how thankful for I am for YTB and what’s it’s done for myself and my family. I’ve been talking to team members, both above, below, and cross line to me for months about what’s been going on in our industry and our company right now. While some have expressed concerns, we also know that YTB has made some major advancements and headway into the travel industry this year. There appears to me, an underlining confidence with everyone I talk to and an understanding that even in the face of all that’s being pointed at us from outside sources, we will continue to grow and prosper.

There is no question that there has been a lot of fighting, (like cats and dogs?) and finger pointing going on the last month and a half in our industry. I want us as a individuals in YTB to take some time this weekend to point inward for a change. We as RTA’s are the face of YTB, and I want you to take some time to seriously think about what you are doing in regards to helping or hurting the image of a company I know we all love.

I’m sure it’s no secret at this point that many of our Professionals feel that we embarrass them. We are unprofessional, we are untrained, we are uncertified, we are unqualified to enter into an industry they have loved and respected for years. I’ve stated many times here that they are sadly mistaken if they want to lump me personally into any of these stereotypes when it concerns our business model and company. I am not only very competent, but confident in what I do.

It’s been commented to me from several sources that I’m actually spoken of in high regard from some of our Professionals. Many of our Professionals do understand that I am not the typical “Yahoo”, and for that I am truly thankful. That doesn’t change the fact that I happen to be the exception, not the rule when it comes to YTB and the overall perception of our company.

I got to ask…why?

It’s my belief that part of the respect I’ve managed to gain from the Professional side of this industry is because I am one of a growing number who not only acknowledges, but calls attention to some of the problems and issues are regarding some of our RTA’s who are the main cause of our problems. I’m starting to see more of us actually acknowledging what’s going on and for that I am also thankful. We can’t just stick out heads in the sand and hope it all just goes away. We need to call a spade a spade, and we need to let others know that some RTA’s are certainly not helping our cause or our case.

There always seems to be a jerk, a fool, a person who lacks professionalism, and lacks just plain good manners and common sense. All of which gives a bad name and taste and a target for any business out there. i.e. the expression “One bad apple can spoil the whole barrel.”

I’ve been to dozens of Trainings and Seminars in my years with YTB. I’ve also been with Team Members at these functions, and have never personally seen any of what’s being told to me, but with so much of this being expressed, I can only assume that it is going on. In addition with some of the garbage I’ve seen on the internet, if it’s going on in here, it’s certainly going on out there.

Here are some of the things I’m hearing and want all of us need to be aware of:

It is not appropriate to attempt to recruit at Travel Seminars where other Brick and Mortar stores paid for themselves and their employees a lot of money receive the trainings. Nor is it appropriate to attempt to recruit while walking the floor at Travel Shows or Vendor Fairs where vendors have paid a lot of money for booths in order to inform Brick & Mortar stores and other internet stores and others in the travel business about what’s new in their business.

Nor is it appropriate to go walking around like fools as a group wearing green tee shirts with sayings like “ask me how you can get your travel for 50% off.”

Or crashing parties of other travel agencies.

Or running around ships spouting off to the travelers that you are with YTB and you can show them how they can travel at 50% off when they paid full fare.

Or slipping hand made flyers under all the doors of the ship’s passengers that say about the same thing.

Is it any wonder that we look unprofessional? (Actually, I think the word “turkey” would be appropriate this weekend.) It’s unfathomable to me that anyone would even consider doing any of this, but I also have something called integrity and ethics that simply won’t allow me to even consider something so rude or down right stupid.

“If it aint right, don’t do it.
If it anit true don’t say it.” ~ Coach

While it’s my understanding that action is being taken with an RTA or REP from a Corporate standpoint. We have made agreements with vendors who we want to do business with to behave in a professional manor. An RTA might stand the possibility of losing their YTB business. We also need YOU as a YTB professional to take a stand with anyone you may see doing this out in the field. If I personally ever see anyone defacing that good name of YTB like this, you will certainly know before it’s all said and done that not only is this inappropriate, but will not be tolerated.

Period.

YTB has a name, a great name, to protect as do all of us as RTAs. We are a company to be proud of. Help us to keep that way. Before you act, ask yourself, “If this was my company, my show, my business, how would I want someone else to act at it and what would I want them to say or better yet not say at my function?”

It’s like owning a store and having stranger come up to your long standing customers and say, “Don’t buy this here. You should go to a store I know where you can get the same thing for 50% off.” How would you feel as that owner? I’ve seen some other Travel MLM’s try to recruit me and others in YTB using these lame tactics and I got to tell you, not only am I not going to join an organization like that, I too want to expose them for what their doing as well.

Got it?

Good.

I want you to not only be thankful this weekend that YTB has a “Travel University” (E-Campus), I want you to read about it and take this training this weekend. It’s in your travel portal, it’s up and running. It’s an awesome program and it’s specifically designed for us by one of the most respected names in the industry, Dr. Marc Mancini.

I want you to not only be thankful for vendors this weekend but review the tons of vendors who have put their training up in our back office in order to help us to do great things with them as well. Pages and pages of information direct from the vendors themselves. These companies know that we have over 135,000 agents and growing rapidly every day, who are bringing them lots and lots of business and they want to do what ever it takes to help us bring that business their way.

I want you to also be thankful for the Travel Professionals in our industry. There is so much we can learn from them to help build a profitable Travel Business. They have years of knowledge and experience that is absolutely priceless.

YTB is a force to be reckoned with and we are only getting better. We can and will be as well trained as every other travel agent, if not better. We can and will be the best trained, most professional Agents in the industry. It is up to us, and if we want to be #1 we need to learn and know all we can about our business so we can take it there.

This is the best company in the best industry with the best people I’ve ever had the honor of working with and I feel blessed and Thankful everyday that I am a part of YTB.

PS – Eating a little Turkey and watching a Football game in your spare time this weekend is also acceptable.

Gobble Gobble!

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I had an opportunity last week to visit the home office of YTB International, Inc. Back in December, the company moved to a brand new location in Wood River, Illinois for Phase II of a three phase process. It was the second move in as many years and needed to be done in order to keep pace with the company’s growth and long term vision of being the number one Internet Travel Company in the world. After this visit, I would have to agree with this vision and am not only confident that YTB Travel Network will be number one in the next few years, but am also very proud to be a key part of YourTravelBiz.

After more than two years with the company, the company has always exceeded my expectations in what it said it was going to do and provide to those of us out in the field. Making it easier and better for those of us who want to build and create a future for ourselves if we just plug into the systems they have laid out for us. I can think of several improvements and advances over the years that have far exceeded expectations. This visit to the new home office was no different.

I have to admit, as I came up on the building, it was not what I had expected. Nobody told me that the renovations for Phase II only consisted of work done on the inside of the building. The outside was simply a shell of the old K-mart that had been abandoned some 10 years before. It wasn’t until I walked inside the building that I started to get a taste of the type of work that had been done and why people were so excited about what was being built. Here is a taste of what I found.

The main lobby was open and very modern. A couple of large LCD displays were found behind the front counter to display pictures of previous events from the National Convention, Coach’s Birthday Bash, and other Regional Trainings and events across the country. Another display produced a quad display of security cameras around the front, side and hallways inside the building. A large YTB International, Inc. logo is proudly displayed as you walking into the lobby area. (Just in case you didn’t know where you were.) The front counter was a white oak, and the floors covered in an ivory marble.

The entire complex was very modern and quit festive, including a couple of surf boards propped up in the windows of several of the Department Heads, one which included “Surfer Girl” just inside Sandy Pippins office, who happens to be not only YTB’s first employee, but has grown with the company as Vice President of Corporate Administration.

As the tour began, I realized just how many people at the home office actually support us out in the field. The facility is separated into different sections totaling 190 employees who specialize in departments which include, Representative Support, Travel Support, Travel Documentation, Travel Fulfillment, Travel Credentials, Marketing, IT, Legal, Payroll, Association and Corporate, and even a specialized department for those of us who speak Spanish. All these people dedicated to helping those of us out in the field to answer questions and provide the best support possible. To top it off, you got a strong cense that these people not only enjoy what they do, but are happy and eager to help us. And why not, the same Christmas Bonus is up for grabs this year for these employees as last year, tripling the end of the year bonus if they hit the magic number of 152,269.

After the tour, a lunch was served at the Gateway Center, just south of the home office. After the luncheon we had a chance to meet with Chairman of the Board ‘Coach’ Lloyd Tomer, YTB Travel Network President J. Kim Sorensen, and YourTravelBiz CEO Scott Tomer. We also heard from Andrew Cauthen, who joined the YTBI team in November 2004 as Chief Operating Officer of the YTB subsidiary. He was subsequently named President of YTB in October 2006, and on March 1, 2007 was named CEO of YTBI. John Clagg, our newly appointed Treasurer, also serves as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of YTBI as well as its subsidiaries. He joined the Company in December 2003. Eric Smith, Chief Information Officer, the keeper of YTB’s massive IT infrastructure who joined the company in 2001. Ted Lindauer, Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, who has worked with the company since it’s inception in 2001, but recently closed his California practice to come work with YTB full time in the summer of 2006. The YTB management team is unified in one vision – commitment and support to it’s RTA’s and Reps.

After listening to each of these Department heads, I’m more confident than ever that YTBI is here for the duration, and committed to supporting myself, and my growing team. As I grow, YTB grows with me. YTB has increased its corporate staff from fewer than 30 employees in 2004 to 190 as of March 8. Plans include doubling this support staff to 400 by the end of 2007, and a total of 750 by year end 2009. With only one quarter of the new home office being finished at this point in time, that leaves another 100,000 square feet to house this support staff.

I thought I saw something in this company more than two years ago. In reality, it’s actually better than I thought it would ever be. YTB has always had a way of exceeding my expectations and I’m thrilled to see what’s happening to this company. Now more than ever!

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Once again “The Law of Attraction” has made another impact in my life. Because of what I know, most all of my goals and dreams are now starting to become a reality. They are coming fast and furious. Opportunities that I once thought were lost are now being literally handed to me out of the blue.

One of my goals was to get back into Radio, a profession I left back in the late 1980’s after 10 years. I put the “intent” out there to host my own Radio Show about our experience with our Home Based Business and YTB Travel Network. Another friend of mine called me out of the blue at the last minute to ask if I could fill in for a guest that had cancelled as his “Unique of the Week”. Knowing that opportunities never go away, they just go to those of us who are ready for them, I was more than willing to fill in for the host.

WGSR Atlanta is the newest place in Atlanta to stay connected with the things that matter to you; life, fitness, arts, entertainment, dining and everything in-between. This week on “Uniqueness is Power” Andy Grieder and Co-Host Dr. Katrina covered marketing tips, strategies and debunk a myth or two with me…as well as what makes myself and my business unique, and why customers do business with YTB Travel.

At WGSR Atlanta, they realize that the radio listener’s taste have evolved over the years yet not many radio stations have evolved with their listeners. Redefining radio for the listeners. They are what you have been waiting for. The changing of the guard is here at WGSR Atlanta.

Enjoy!

Listen to WGSR Atlanta, 710AM “Uniqueness is Power”

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An operation considered to be one of the fastest-growing Internet-based travel companies is planning to move into its $2 million headquarters in Wood River by the end of the month.

YTB International Inc., at 1 Country Club View Drive in Edwardsville, will move into its new corporate headquarters in the former Kmart building on Edwardsville Road in Wood River on Dec. 26.

“We’re really excited about it,” said Andrew F. Cauthen, president and chief operations officer of the company.

The company, which is publicly traded and operates three divisions – YourTravelBiz.com, REZconnect Technologies Inc. and YTB Travel Network – announced in July that it had purchased the 120,000-square-foot building and 13-acre site with plans to renovate them.

The announcement was made shortly after another development group said it planned to demolish the building along Illinois Route 143 to make way for a $10 million to $12 million automobile dealership complex that would have included Federico Chrysler-Dodge Inc. and Jack Schmitt of Alton Inc. (Alton Centers Nissan)

The dealerships still plan to build on land west of the property at the intersection of Route 143 and Lakin Boulevard.

Cauthen said one of the reasons the company chose Wood River is that it simply outgrew its site in Edwardsville. He said the company liked the location and could renovate the former retail site for about $40 per square foot, which is significantly less than the $200 per square foot it would cost for a new building.

Work has been under way for the past several months. The company hired C.O.R.E., a project management firm, to oversee the work being done in the former restaurant of the building.

“We have a business to run and needed someone we could trust to oversee the project,” Cauthen said.

He said the renovation is being done in three phases. Current renovation is considered Phase 2.

Phase 3 of the project will include building a state-of-the-art 500-seat theater and dining room in part of the 100,000-square-foot site, and Phase 4 will be transforming the remaining portion of the building.

“We cannot wait until it’s done,” Cauthen said.

The building should be completed in 2008, he said.

“Right now, it still doesn’t look that different from the outside, but within the next year, it will,” he said.

Cauthen said the company plans to spend an additional $10 million in renovations.

The company projects that by June 2009, it will employ nearly 600 people or more and earn $338 million in annual revenue.

J. Lloyd “Coach” Tomer, founder of the company and chairman of the board, said he is excited about moving into the company’s new digs. He said he is especially looking forward to being a part of the Wood River community.

Tomer, along with his son, Scott, and friend, J. Kim Sorenson, started the company in Alton.

In June 2001, six employees started working for the company in the former First National Bank building at Third and Belle streets. By July 2005, the company had outgrown its space and moved to Edwardsville.

“We had 39 employees when we moved,” Tomer said.

During the past 18 months, the company has hired 100 people, and once it moves to Wood River, it plans to hire more.

Wood River Mayor Fred Ufert said he is excited about the company’s move, which he said adds to the growth and development that is rapidly taking place in the city.

“Having a corporate headquarters in town will be a good thing for the community,” Ufert said.

He said he hopes the company’s anticipated growth will bring more development to the area.

Tomer agreed. He said that besides office personnel, 60,000 referring travel agents are part of the business, and they visit the company’s headquarters by the hundreds at a time.

The business basically allows people to start their own Internet travel business. Those who become referring travel agents earn a commission every time someone books a trip from their site.

YTB runs the booking engine. The company merged with a New Jersey company, REZconnect, several years ago to get the technology that links Web customers in real time, allowing them to make travel reservations.

YTB develops, sells and supports the online travel Web sites of referring travel agents. The initial start-up cost for a referring travel agent is $450 and a $50 monthly maintenance fee.

Customers who log on to any YTB site have the ability to make reservations on more than 424 airlines, at more than 35,000 hotels and with most major car rental companies, cruise lines and tour package operators.

Tomer said all offices would be moving to Wood River. He said one of the reasons he is excited about the move is that city officials have welcomed the company with open arms.

Ufert said he hopes that with YTB’s move to the city, it will continue to bring more businesses.

“It’s been a good year for development in Wood River, and we only hope we can continue that,” he said.

Tomer said about 60,000 people will tour the home office next year and are likely to spend more than $6 million on hotels and $3 million on meals and entertainment.

“That doesn’t count our employees who leave the office for lunch, either,” he said.

Tomer said he hopes his business is able to help the city bring additional businesses to town.

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