A blog reader sent me this link to an EarthFirst blog entry called Eco-Fail: Giant $6M Foam Statue of Liberty a Big Polluting Mess. And according to their article, YTB is now on their radar!
Seems the Huffington Post is also picking it up as well!
And here too!
Perhaps it’s a fitting tribute to a country that wore the ‘Biggest Polluter’ crown for so long: a 130-foot, 50,000-lb replica of the Statue of Liberty, made entirely of foam and sprayed-on plastic. The company that commissioned the statue, however, wasn’t trying to be ironic or make a point. They really thought it was a good idea to construct this thing – which is only 13 feet shorter than the original Statue of Liberty – made up of what the Sierra Club calls ‘the ultimate waste product’......
The unveiling of YTB’s giant statue of liberty is meant to get them plenty of publicity before their convention. Their goal is to be the world’s biggest travel company by 2011. Let’s give them negative publicity instead: YTB is now on our radar as a foe of the environment. They’ve already got a bad rep for being a rip-off pyramid scheme, so it’s not like many people will be surprised.Man if ELF or Greenpeace gets a hold of this, watch out. YTB may make national news yet, but perhaps not for the reasons they had hoped.
Boy it's a good thing they have those press boxes all set up at the convention. When Greenpeace comes to protest, that will be big news.
ReplyDeleteThis fiasco sums up YTBs corporate attitude perfectly. I hope the bad press escalates.
ReplyDeleteWell, UPS denied any type of sponsorship and indicated that they were merely hired to transport the foam.
ReplyDeleteFrom UPS:
ReplyDelete"UPS was hired to transport the statue. We are not a sponsor of the event.
You can contact the firm that is installing the exhibit about the particulars of the styrofoam."
Lynnette McIntire
UPS
Pretty much the same answer I received
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. Frenaye:
We got your inquiry. UPS was hired to transport the statue. We are not a sponsor of the event.
You can contact the firm that is installing the exhibit about the particulars of the styrofoam, which they say is very stable and durable. The contact name is: Frank Brummet, febrummet@berylmartin.com.
The information in the youtube piece isn't correct.
Thanks for asking.
Lynnette McIntire
UPS
What no comments from the "YTB" bunch?
ReplyDelete>What no comments from the "YTB" bunch?
ReplyDeleteNobody has yet told them what to say.
Then we must assume that the YTBites are happy about being polluters and wasting resources.
ReplyDeleteThis can't be!!! Coach told them so!!
ReplyDeleteAnd people like Doogie have the gall to come here and talk about lies. First Coach was buying Pittsburgh and now UPS is HAPPY to be a sponser of the "Foam Olympics". Now talk about liars.
ReplyDeleteWell, it just makes no sense to comment. I have better things to do than to be embroiled in arguments or tit for tat. Like build my business. =)
ReplyDeleteOh! Just to let you know I'm joining Cruise Planners. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAny comments?
I thought YTB was the way to go? What happened?
ReplyDeleteI asked for comments, not questions. What do you think about CP?
ReplyDeleteI do not know too much about them but have heard good things. They have a good training program once the initial training is done and they are Amex so that offers them a few more benefits.
ReplyDeleteThey are a franchise and not a host, so likely they will prevent you (contractually) from affiliating with anyone else during the term of the contract.
I know several CP agents in some of the forums, I can ask them if you are serious and want an opinion.
If you are serious, this is a huge step for you in the right direction.
I think it's great. I wish you much success with Cruise Planners.
ReplyDeleteAnd how nice it will be when people don't look at you crosseyed when you tell them who you are affliated with.
Denyse-Congratulations on your move. I suggest also joining OSSN or NACTA when you get settled. They have great resources for outside agents.
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted how you are doing.
UPS is not a sponsor but one of the executives at UPS is speaking at the convention. And, there have been talks about a future arrangement with UPS similar to other RTA advantage corporate programs. I don't believe anyone said UPS was a sponsor of the convention.
ReplyDeleteSOrry for the late reply...took the family out of townfor a night.
Maxine, I'm a member of NACTA now. There is no definitive decision.
ReplyDeleteJosh-UPS was mentioned as a sponsor on several blogs and You Tube videos.
ReplyDeleteI guess my congratulations to IMHO were premature.
ReplyDeleteDenyse-You know I was just starting to respect you and then you state nothing has been decided. Why the heck did you post it then? Obviously, you are still attached to that vile, polluter, money squandering company called YTB.
ReplyDeleteObviously, you are either afraid of change or want YTB's attention. Which is it?
More environmentalists are picking the story up:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.greenbeat.org/2008/07/22/videoultimate-waste-product-6-million-styrofoam-statue-of-liberty-draws-outrage/
http://www.fusionanomaly.net/wordpress/?p=4011