Channel Surfing Blog 

By Khali Henderson

It's never fun to be on the receiving end of a postcard from Puerto Vallerta. But, it happened to me -- and probably many of you -- today.

Ted Schuman, president and CEO of PlanetOne, sent one (albeit electronic) from the sandy shores of Mexico. It was belated, but I can't blame him for preferring the picturesque view to corresponding with the working folk.

Puerto Vallarta

Schuman took along a few friends -- the PlanetOne President's Club -- for this holiday.

PlanetOne agents and suppliers in Puerto Vallarta.

The seventh annual incentive trip was held May 15-18 at the Vallarta Palace in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, just minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta.

PlanetOne's top-producing agents and their guests attended the four-day event, which was sponsored by XO, TNCI, ACC, Qwest and PAETEC. Carrier execs also participated in the festivities.

The event began with a welcome reception on Thursday. On Friday, the real fun began. A city tour and shopping excursion was followed by Beach Olympics. Contestants competed in a tug-o-war, egg toss, tequila relay, swimming race and something very messy called the “Flour Basket Fill Up.”

Tug-o-war

Sack race

“We wanted to create a fun and competitive environment where being the most athletic person did not assure you of winning anything, and I believe we accomplished our objective in spades,” said Schuman.

Later on, Wave Runners were provided for the adventurous participants to tackle the three- to six-foot swells. The day wrapped up with dinner served on the beach along with a Mariachi serenade.

On Saturday, guests boarded the Geronimo, a chartered catamaran. Guests snorkeled at the Las Marietas Islands, which Jacques Cousteau called his favorite place in the world to snorkel. From there it was off to a private beach and a catered lunch and some kayaking.

Snorkeling

That evening, PlanetOne held its award ceremony for the President's Club winners in one of the many ocean front restaurants at Vallarta Palace.

Rather than depart on Sunday, some of the guests weren't ready to go home (no kidding) and stayed on for some R&R in Puerto Vallarta.

If you haven't been tortured enough by these snapshots of paradise, you can view the slideshow. You can see the triumphant winners of the egg-toss and the PHONE+ Channel Executive of the Year working hard at holding down a hammock.