Phocuswright unveils Philip C. Wolf Memorial Scholarship winners

Phocuswright has selected this year’s recipients for the Philip C. Wolf Memorial Scholarship, honoring the late founder of Phocuswright, Philip Wolf.

The scholarship provides each recipient with a ticket to The Phocuswright Conference, November 19-21 in Phoenix and a three-night stay at the host hotel, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge. The winners also receive inclusion into an acceptance-only mentorship program of their choice at the event.

Winners of the scholarship are Jessie Fischer, founder and CEO of GuestOS, an artificial intelligence concierge platform designed for the hospitality industry, and Arielle Warren, CEO of Places To Go, a mobile app that allows people to plan, book and pay for group travel.

“Both are transformative leaders who want to immerse themselves in the opportunities at The Phocuswright Conference,” said Eugene Ko, director of marketing and communications at Phocuswright.

“They embody Philip’s entrepreneurial spirit and determination to solve unique challenges in travel. Jessie and Arielle are the type of young leaders that elevate the audience at The Phocuswright Conference.”

“In an industry built on human touch, these relationships are crucial,” Fischer said. “The conference will help me stay true to my vision of combining technology with authentic guest experiences, ensuring GuestOS continues to grow in a way that keeps people at the center.”

“Growing up in hospitality near Yosemite, I saw how personal relationships and genuine connections shaped the guest experience,” she added. “Philip Wolf’s push for smarter, more efficient travel systems mirrors my goals with GuestOS, where we focus on blending technology with the human connections that make hospitality special.”

“From the moment I started Places To Go, I had my eye on The Phocuswright Conference as a key event, a symbol of having 'made it' in industry,” Warren said. “Being part of this event is not only an honor but a pivotal opportunity to immerse myself in the knowledge and network of travel's brightest minds.

“The discussions and connections made here will open doors to partnerships, collaborations, and strategies that will help me scale the business and refine our vision for revolutionizing group travel.”

Wolf, a champion of online travel since the late-1980s, launched Phocuswright in 1994. He died in early 2021 at the age of 64.