More of the Week’s Meetings and Travel News

Here is a roundup of some more of the week’s news from the world of meetings, conventions, hospitality and travel:

–The Society of Government Meeting Professionals named an active executive director following the sudden resignation its CEO. sgmp.org

–Hotel dining is shifting focus from formal restaurants to more casual bar areas. rmgtmagazine.com

–Virigin America has contracted the “world’s cutest dog” as a “pet liason.” huffingtonpost.com

–You really can live in a yellow submarine at a floating hotel in Liverpool, England. dailymail.co.uk

–Environmental experts are split on a controversial action by the Trinidad government, which rerouted a river on a popular eco-tourism beach, killing hundreds of baby leatherback turtles in an effort to save even more nests. guardian.co.tt; cbsnews.com

–The House of Representatives held a hearing on airline passenger rights and reforming the TSA’s screening processes. thehill.com; businessweek.com

–The new owner of the foreclosed Lakeway Resort in Texas is planning a $5 million renovation. statesman.com

–There are new general managers at the Hyatt Place Austin in Texas and Kessler Canyon in Colorado. hotelnewsresource.com; hotelnewsresource.com

–A historic Portland, Maine, hotel will be rebranded as a Westin. travelweekly.com

–The Hard Rock hotel in Tampa, Fla., isn’t hosting Republican delegates during the national convention, but someone in the GOP has booked the entire hotel. tbo.com

–The Washington Monument will remain closed for at least another year to repair earthquake damage. cnn.com

–There’s a hotel boom going on in Brooklyn, N.Y. hotelnewsnow.com; brownstoner.com

–Few hotel guests are willing to pay extra for better Wi-Fi. usatoday.com

–Hotels are spiffing up their public spaces as a means to boost revenue. businessweek.com