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:

–Taking a cue from European carriers, Delta Air Lines is using Porches to escort its top-tier frequent fliers across the tarmac to their connecting flight. wsj.com

–The TSA’s PreCheck program came to Philadelphia International Airport. philly.com

–The Statue of Liberty’s interior, closed to visitors since October 2011 for renovations, will reopen next month. washingtonpost.com

–The Crowne Plaza Phoenix completed a major renovation, including upgrades to more than 11,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. hotelnewsresource.com

–There’s evidently a boom in hotel booms going on right now. Among the locations reporting an uptick in new projects this week are Oklahoma City, Miami Beach and Winnipeg. newsok.com; hotelnewsresource.com; winnipegfreepress.com

–Tourism officials in California’s Sonoma County introduced a new brand logo and marketing campaign. sonomawinegrape.org

–Representatives of the hotel industry and disability rights groups are back at the negotiating table over the issue of pool lifts. hotelnewsresource.com

– The Professional Convention Management Association Education Foundation announced its 2013 Professional Achievement honorees. pcma.org

–Atlantic City, N.J, is turning vacant lots into beach volleyball courts. philly.com

–There’s new management in charge at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, Neb.; Lakeway Resort and Spa near Austin, Texas; and Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel. journalstar.com; businesswire.com; hotelnewsresource.com

–Some prominent San Diego hotels changed hands in two separate deals. utsandiego.com

–The first U.S. domestic flight of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner is scheduled for Nov. 4. businessweek.com

–Did you know the TSA sometimes takes travelers aside at their gate and tests the drinks they bought after clearing security? usatoday.com