Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/52019
benefit to U.S. air travelers will be significant when the program is fully implemented, and we look forward to partnering with theTSA to address important issues as PreCheck evolves." Eligible passengers who voluntarily provide the TSA with personal information and qualify for the programwill be directed to special lanes for expedited screening.However, theTSAhas not disclosed how the security process will differ for those travelers. U.S. Travel will work with TSA to address outstanding issues concerning PreCheck including: • Line management; • A low hassle experience; • Annual funding mechanisms; • Setting security standards that allow program participants greater predictability; and How PreCheck can improve the travel process for all travelers. "While this pilot program is a critical first step, the TSA has a long way to go until all air trav- ROGER DOW elers experience a more efficient travel process," said Dow. "If implemented as recommended by experts – including former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Congressman Jim Turner – we believe this type of risk-based program can eventually provide all eligible travelers with less hassle, more efficiency and predictability, and increased security." According to the TSA, the voluntary test program covers travelers enrolled in American Airlines and Delta Air Lines' frequent-flier program or three government trusted traveler programs – GlobalEntry, NEXUS and SENTRI. It will be available for eligible American Airlines passengers at Dallas-Fort Worth International and Miami International airports. For eligible Delta passengers, it will be available at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airports. NEWGREEN MACHINE HELPS PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER LIQUIDIZE FOODWASTE, SOLIDIFY SUSTAINABILITY ORCA, theOrganicRefuse ConversionAlternative (ORCA)machine, a food waste disposal system, is now in use at the Phoenix Convention Center (PCC).The addition of the ORCA machine, which biologically converts organic food waste into a nutrient rich liquid through an accelerated decomposition process, represents a huge leap in sustainability for the con- vention center, keeping the facility on the cutting-edge of sustainable operations. Contained within a stainless steel box the size of a refrigerator, the ORCA has the capability of decomposing 2,000 pounds of food waste into a liquid effluent each day. The process employs principles that are similar to out- door composting. The ORCA creates a perfect biodegradable environment by churning food waste, fresh water, and bio-chips that activate thousands of micro-organisms; through a process that converts food waste into safe wastewater. Phoenix is the first major convention center in theUnited States to use this food waste disposal system. PCC, along with Aventura Catering, the center's exclusive food and beverage provider, hosts hundreds of food functions on an annual basis; as withmost con- vention centers food waste is an inevitable byproduct that needs to be managed accordingly. According to John Chan, director of the Phoenix Convention Center,"After extensive research and analysis PCC in conjunction with Aventura embarked on this project because it supports the collective vision of utilizing innovation and technology to create greater efficien- cies in our operations." While dealing with food waste has traditionally been an expensive practice that consumes many resources; the ORCA's revolutionary process reduces PCC's operating expenses and offsets their carbon footprint significantly.Corby Stephens, generalmanager ofAventura Catering, is excited to see how new innovation is changing the course of an age old problem, "AsAventura and PCC continue to partner on new and innovative ideas, sustainability is always at the forefront of our thinking.Through the creative process came the idea of figuring out how we can compost given the extreme summer temperatures. This idea led us into researchingmulti- ple ideas and eventually deciding on theORCAmachine,which allows us to handle food waste fromlarge events in an eco- friendly and cost effective manner, helping divert tons of organic waste from ever hitting our landfills." Black Meetings & Tourism November/December 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 9