YTB International Inc., a multilevel marketer of travel agent Web sites, saw its net loss widen during the quarter ended June 30.

The company posted a $1.59 million loss in the second quarter compared to a $199,000 loss during the same period last year. Revenue plummeted to $18 million, down nearly 59 percent from $43.7 million during the second quarter of 2008.

http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2009/08/03/daily68.html

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Preston Blair and Jane Blair and YTB at the 2009 YTB convention.

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Here is one person's perspective on YTB. Here is one person's perspective an in no way is endorsed by theytb.com.

YTB Convention 2009

Lou Brock on YTB 2009

The Women of YTB

The judge questioned the plaintiffs standing under the state’s consumer protection laws and noted that the plaintiff’s earlier case had been dismissed on June 5. While the plaintiffs can seek redress in a higher court,  the Judge said, “As a general rule the Court is not fond of ‘ill-founded requests for reconsideration of matters previously decided.’ "

http://www.travelagentcentral.com/home-based/community/ytb-wins-round-court-16468

The Wood River City Council voted 5-0 Monday night to approve a funding agreement with Aventurs Development LLC for preliminary work on the proposed project known as Wood River Landing. The council also approved the preliminary plat for a two-lot commercial property.

The development company is planning to build a 100-room franchised hotel – Holiday Inn Express – on a 14-acre site near the intersection of Illinois Route 143 and Illinois 255, along with a Country Kitchen and gas station.
"It really is going to be a good thing," Mayor Fred Ufert said.

Ufert said plans have been in the works to bring a hotel to the city for some time.

"We've been working on a hotel project for awhile now," he said.

YTB International announced tentative plans last year about building a hotel and convention center near its headquarters along Route 143, but the development deal fell through. Aventurs purchased the acreage from the troubled travel company after the project collapsed.

Ufert said the company hopes to break ground on the project by late August or early September.

"Right now, we are awaiting the state to give the final approval for it to be located in the enterprise zone," he said.

The city needs the state to approve the land use change. The city is located in the Riverbend Enterprise Zone, which is one of 96 enterprise zones throughout the state and three in Madison County. Besides Wood River, other municipalities in the Riverbend zone are Alton, East Alton, Bethalto, Hartford, Roxana, South Roxana and Madison.

In 1982, the state established the enterprise program as a way to stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization at a local level, which is accomplished through state and local tax incentives, regulatory relief and improved governmental services.

According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, businesses located or expanding in enterprise zones may be eligible for various incentives, such as the retailers' occupation tax paid on building materials, an investment tax credit of 5 percent of the qualified property, and an enterprise zone jobs tax credit for each job created in the zone for which a certified dislocated worker or economically disadvantaged individual is hired. In addition to the state incentives, each zone offers distinctive local incentives to enhance business development projects.

Ufert said the developers conducted a study and determined, based on other hotels in the area, they would be filled at 69 percent of capacity weekly.

It would be the second location for Country Kitchen in Illinois. The restaurant chain is located in Princeton, Ill., as well as locations in 22 other states and Canada.

"The council believes this is going to be a really nice addition to the city," Ufert said.

Council member Cheryl Maguire said she was thrilled with the development.

"This has been three years in the making with contacts, phone calls and meetings at City Hall," Maguire said. "This has been a collective effort, and groundwork is ongoing for development throughout the city, not just the east end of town."

http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/city-29359-development-hotel.html

Michael Brent served as CEO of REZConnect for a base salary of $325,000, which increased by $25,000 annually after December 31, 2008, YTB said. Brent was also entitled to an annual cash bonus equal to a percentage of YTB’s net pre-tax income.

Derek Brent served as president of REZConnect for a base salary of $180,000, which increased by $30,000 annually in 2007 and 2008 and other benefits.  Both Brent’s were also entitled to an annual cash bonus and are indemnified against future legal actions against YTB.

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It's designed to be a pretty simple 90-second read to start your day. Here we go: Have a Dream You know that as independent business person you are the CEO of your own business; you're the leader. A necessary characteristic of a good CEO is to have a goal, a dream, a vision for your business. What is your vision for your future? Write it down, draw a picture of what you want to accomplish. Scott says, "How do you want this to look in the future. How do you see it?" You've got to have a dream; if you don't have a dream, how are you going to make your dreams come true? Plan for Events You know that there are numerous opportunities daily and weekly for you to enjoy and even participate in marketing and training meetings, conference calls, training calls and various events? Check your BizReport and talk with your leadership.

Check out upcoming Super Saturday meetings featuring Coach and Scott, Red Carpet Day on Tuesday, April 21, the Saturday Leadership Show via webcast, and almost daily open conference calls (we'll be announcing in this GoodDay@YTB.) Did You Know …

Kim Sorensen announced last week that YTB achieved $425 million in travel sales in 2008. That's an increase over 2007's $414 million, ranking YTB the number 26 travel agency in the nation! Wow! In June, respected industry publication Travel Weekly will publish its new Power List of the top 100 travel agencies. People Need YTB Director Michael "Mike, the Travel Guy" Reams concludes every email with, "Find the people who are looking for you! They are looking now more than ever! In today's economy people need YTB right now. You can bless a lot of people with our amazing company." Director Peter "PJ" Jensen says: "I have never been more committed to Coach, Scott and Kim and the entire YTB family! Go YTB! Go YTB! Travel is the biggest and most exciting industry in the world! Get in the water; it's warm!"

Director Arlyne Thompson says, "Focus on the positives." Let Us Hear From YOU Do you have a question, comment, testimonial, or a word of inspiration? We might publish in GoodDay@YTB. Send me a brief note to: GoodDay@YTB.com It's a good day at YTB, and there are more to come…. Andy GoodDay@YTB.com