ADI? So, What's Up? Not Much!

So, after all that big stink about the picture of a kid flipping the bird, the picture becomes a bit more clear. Mind you, no one was able to refute my contention that YTB did not acquire ADI. True to their tactics, the MLM crowd just deflected the conversation to a funny photo.

But as I said, Regina decided to get an answer and in the end..YTB did not acquire ADI. They may in the future, but for now they seem to be a vendor only.

You can find out the current version on Regina's other blog:

Apparently, there was indeed an announcement made about the acquisition of ADI by YTB at the Richmond Travel Training event. According to Jeanie Sharpless, the announcement was made by YTB Travel CEO, J. Kim Sorensen, and the founder and CEO of ADI, Curtis Edwards, who was there to confirm it. The problem, however, is that while this merger is on the planning table and discussions between the two companies are taking place, and maybe they are even close to finalizing the details... TODAY, it is still in the planning stages, and the acquisition has not yet been confirmed. In the excitement of the possibilities of this merger actually taking place, it was announced. It probably shouldn't have been, but it was. You know how excited we humans can get about things. Anyway, since more legal work must be done before it is a DONE DEAL, for now, the answer to the question at hand is "NO" YTB has not acquired ADI

Now, why on earth would a company announce a merger to a roomful of people when it is not a done deal. This is in Business 101--but with only 2 hours of education, I guess I cannot hold Scott accountable. But this apparently was announced by Kim Sorensen. And here we are a month later and neither ADI or YTB is willing to confirm it.

I have a hunch why it was "announced". In a word recruiting. Here you are in Virginia with a roomful of prospects and non-producing RTA and Reps. You need to do something to get them to sign up and to jump start their productivity. Tell them something--anything. And it seems that ADI was the straw that was drawn.

So, maybe YTB will acquire ADI at this point. Maybe they won't. But I am thinking that after a month, that there probably was no real announcement in Virginia--but now that many RTAs have gone on and broadcast it including some recorded telephone call...YTB may need to put up or shut up. And since the President of ADI is indeed an RTA this is probably the only way he is going be be able to make any money off of YTB!

Does Dr. Seligman Have A Sister?

I learned my lesson about posting baby pictures a few weeks ago, so I am not going to go there again while addressing another inconsistency in the rhetoric from YTB.

Recently, there has been a flurry of comments about how many TTAs are flocking to YTB because they have all "seen the light" and understand what a great program it is. I cannot dispute that they have some TTAs in their mix--they probably do; but I think I can call into question the curriculum vitae (that Latin phrase was for Dr. Bob) of the agents they claim to have. Last week, on the blog called Just Picture It Now, there was an entire post devoted to Candi May, who was a hot shot travel agent in Kentucky for decades before joining YTB.

Some of the claims made by this blog include the "fact(s) that Candi May:

• owned several Brick and Mortar Agencies back in the day
• she was the one who was winning all the awards
• isn’t some rookie off the street who knew nothing about Travel

I am very friendly with the owner of the largest travel agency in Kentucky (actually they are also the largest in Tennessee and Southern Ohio as well) and as hard to believe as it is--they have never heard of someone named Candi May owning agencies in Kentucky. No one seems to be aware of all these awards she won.

And while we are dealing with the "unbelievable", there is this excerpt from the blog touting her credentials:

A former client then asked her to take a look at a business, not for her, but for him.

What she did do was look at the public numbers, she looked at our Founders, and she looked at what other successful people were doing in this business. She also went up to meet the Founders personally.

YTB was a company that was actually capitalizing on the very same market shift that was causing her Brick & Mortar business to loose all this business.

OK, so let me get this straight to be sure I understand....a client comes into her office and says, "Candi, I am looking at buying an internet agency to compete with you--do you have an opinion?" Well, my opinion would likely have been "Get the hell out of my office." But apparently, Candi's answer was to say, "Let me check it out and get back to you," as she purchased tickets to fly up to meet Coach and Scott herself just to offer an opinion to a client who was looking to compete with her. Yeah---right!

This blog entry really raised some flags for me--as so many of the other blog entries do--ADI acquisition, Dr. Bob, etc. So I sent Candi an email asking about her agency. While I will not repost her email here, her response did not confirm anything about her experience. She referenced an agency owned by a relative, and then included several links to companies that are no longer in business. Nothing about her and her awards, nothing about her agency awards.

On a follow up, she indicated that a major travel company (I am choosing to not name them) paid for her to fly to their headquarters and she spent many days having them wine and dine her in an attempt to get her to join their ranks--which she declined. This too sat funny with me since I could not picture this agency being a major player in the Kentucky market. Well, after a quick email, I can confirm that this major travel company (I know the CEO) indeed did not pay for anyone named Candi May to come to their headquarters. As a matter of fact, the only "Candi" they have in their system of prospects, was a "Candy" from Michigan.

So, do we have a long lost reunion coming up pretty soon. Is Candi May, the good Dr. Seligman's long lost sister? So now do we have the trifecta of wrong information? Seligman, ADI and now Candi May! Can anyone add some shred of truth to the claims? Candi may have been all that; but it seems like maybe not!

YTB Takes Nashville By Storm

NOTE: See update below the original post!

This is just developing, but it seems that (is everyone sitting down?) a YTB RTA has collected money from Seniors at local high schools for their Senior Year Graduation Trip. Well, it seems that the buck stopped at the RTA's bank account and the seniors are out of a trip.

From what I hear (as I said I am still working on this) YTB has terminated the RTA and there is not much further info. Stay tuned.

I wonder if this was in conjunction with their new "acquisition" of ADI?

UPDATE: Not Nashville proper but here is the news report:

Parents Victimized In Alleged Scam
Parents Make Payments For Bogus Trip
Reported by Jennifer Johnson

POSTED: 8:14 pm CDT April 25, 2008
UPDATED: 3:12 am CDT April 26, 2008
LaVERGNE, Tenn. -- A group of high school seniors in Rutherford County may not be able to take a class trip with their friends after a woman allegedly took their money.

The trip they were planning to take has imploded and now police are looking for a woman who may have stolen thousands of dollars from unsuspecting parents.

For many seniors in high school, it's become a rite of passage for every student to be able to go on one last trip with their classmates before graduation.

But some students from LaVergne High School are learning that their dream vacation has become a nightmare.

"My son came home and was telling me about a trip that was being scheduled. Initially, I was under the impression that it was a school sponsored trip, so I started sending in money and whatever deposits he needed," said parent Uvonne Gooch

Over the past nine months, Gooch sent more than $500 to a woman named Cynthia Anderson, who said she was organizing a senior trip to Jamaica.

Last month, Gooch learned the tour company that Anderson was supposed to be paying the cruise to hadn't received a dime.

"YTB told me themselves, 'We didn't know anything about a trip, but let us research and see what's going on.' They got back with me and said, 'Yes, Cynthia is affiliated with us, but we didn't know anything about the trip,'" said Gooch.

Not only are Gooch and the other parents out of their money, but the graduates now have no place to schedule a vacation to in such a short period of time before graduation.

"The trip is off. It's cancelled. I have the e-mails. It's cancelled," said

What concerns Gooch the most is that some parents still think the trip is on and may still be making payments to Anderson.

The alleged scam seems to have affected more than just LaVergne High School. Anderson had reportedly approached every high school in Rutherford County with the same offer.

I wonder who Anderson is? Is she a rogue RTA? Or is she one of those Power Team Leader? I recall one RTA stating that RTAs "had" to make all bookings through YTB Headquarters. Well, I guess not so much.

Go on and quote the rogue TTAs (we realize we have them and they suck), but as I have said, when you bring in 131,000 untrained people in a year that are handling the travel dreams of clients, it is a recipe for disaster. Now this woman has been selling this "scam" to all of the high schools in the area--funny this seems like the instructions offered by ADI on their website--and we know they are at least a partner for YTB.

A Wife, Mother, Minister, Businesswoman, Mentor, and Coach Lies!

NOTE: Of course after this posted, the original post was deleted, so the link is no good. Apparently, she does not stand by her words, but that is OK because what you see below is the complete content of the original post.

Duck! Look out! Rogue RTAs are on the loose again. I guess EAB is busy "dating" up a storm in Honolulu and they needed a replacement! Ladies and gents, I give you Regina Osei. I know she reads this blog so perhaps she may shun her anonymous moniker and come clean. I was reading her blog a few days ago and saw a headline that surprised me. YTB Travel Merges With American Destinations. How the hell could I have missed that one? Even worse, how could YTB have missed the opportunity to issue a press release. Well, after a quick phone call, I discovered that her post is a lie. More on that in a bit, but for now, here is what she has falsely claimed:

YTB Travel Merges With American Destinations The YTB Travel Network , has again edged out the competition by merging with 27 year old experienced, professional tour operator, American Destinations. American Destinations specializes in 'educational group travel' throughout North America, and it has a similar business model to YTB Travel, which makes for a fantastic union. This merger between YTB Travel and American Destinations is also great news for YTB Travel clients and RTAs (Referring Travel Agents) because it allows YTB Travel to offer even greater tour and group packages. Click here for more information about American Destinations.

Well no doubt Regina is more interested in recruiting people on her own Power Team. That alone seems to be reason to allow truth and honesty to fall by the wayside. I would expect more from someone who, in her own biography on her blog, claims to be a "wife, mother, minister, businesswoman, mentor, and coach." Just picture that, a minister and spreading mis-truths all for the sake of the almighty dollar.

Well, if you check out American Destinations, Inc. you will see that they have not been acquired or merged. They are merely one of the "thousands" of vendors that have made a decision to work with YTB. I called and spoke a representative of ADI and they categorically denied any relationship with YTB other than paying them a finders fee for any referrals. Additionally, they have been doing business with YTB for several years. My contact also added, "if you can call the amount of referrals 'business'" Here is their policy on YTB:

1.) Referral Commissions: As an RTA with YTB you can earn referral commissions on groups that you refer to us. In most cases, this is a one time referral commission. Example: You visit or call South Middle School. The 8th grade class is planning a tour to Washington, DC. You call ADI with South Middle School's contact information and we proceed with the selling process from this point. If the group travels with us, you will receive a referral commission. 2.) ADI Travel Consultant: You have the opportunity to earn residual income and build a lifetime business. ADI has groups that have traveled with us for up to 10, 15, 20+ years. An information packet is available that is designed to teach you how to represent ADI and effectively market student and adult group tours that will position you for tremendous growth in the travel industry; therefore, helping you to realize substantial residual income. We feel that when properly trained to sell group travel, you will be more confident to approach group leaders. The more confident you are the more tours you will sell; therefore, the more financial success you will realize! ADI wants to help you build a relationship with your clients to ensure repeat business. We encourage you to take full advantage of our vast knowledge and great experience in the group tour industry by purchasing our American Destinations, Inc. Travel Consultant Training Packet for a one-time investment of $199.00. We are so confident that you will benefit from thi s information that after you sell three overnight tours (minimum of thirty passengers per departure) ADI will refund your investment plus include a bonus of $199.00! You will double your investment! Example I: South Middle School calls ADI directly and wants to do another trip with us. Since you are a registered ADI Travel Consultant and South Middle School is one of your past accounts, we will notify you of the Trip Order so you can follow up with the group leader and therefore, receive the commission if they travel. Example II: Someone from South Middle School knows a teacher planning a trip at Rosemont High School. He/she encourages him/her to call American Destinations, Inc. for a tour proposal. Since the referral came from one of your accounts, you will be contacted immediately to follow up with the group leader at Rosemont High School to begin a relationship with him/her. At the completion of the tour, you will receive the commission for this account. Please remember, no matter which opportunity you choose, travel proposals are FREE OF CHARGE. A member of our staff (referred to as an ADI Account Manager) will be assigned to you to assist you as much as possible. Also, please ask about "in person" training seminars in your area for you and your team. Again, we are very excited to help you grow your business. Do not hesitate! Call ADI now (800-369-4986) and begin to build a group travel business that will last a LIFETIME! To become an ADI Travel Consultant, please email or call with the following information: * RTA Name * Business Name * YTB ID# * Mailing Address * Home/Business/Cell Phone Numbers * Fax Number * E-Mail Address * Polo Shirt Size (Please mail check or money order to American Destinations, Inc., PO Box 2228, Clarksburg, WV 26302) Note - Services NOT Provided By ADI: * Motorcoach Charters: ADI does NOT provide services for motorcoach only charters.

So, nothing here. Old news. More misinformation that is being propagated by a rogue wife, mother, minister, businesswoman, mentor, and coach. Not sure if the real Coach would be proud or ashamed. Maybe she will make the correction; but then again that might hurt the recruitment effort.