Latest news with #JessConroy
Skift
15-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Why the AI Revolution in Travel Depends on Payment Infrastructure
AI is transforming travel tech, but to truly benefit, hotels need to modernize their payment systems. Skift Podcast Compelling discussions with travel industry leaders and creatives who are helping to shape the future of travel. Compelling discussions with travel industry leaders and creatives who are helping to shape the future of travel. Learn More AI is rapidly reshaping the travel industry, but companies that want to fully leverage its potential must prioritize their payment infrastructure, says Jess Conroy, founder and CEO of ROH, a payment management platform for the hospitality sector. Conroy, who launched ROH two years ago, recently raised $9.2 million in a funding round led by Highgate Technology Ventures and Acrew Capital. Prior to ROH, Conroy launched Carats & Cake, a platform that provided assistance to couples looking to pay the upfront cost of wedding event venues. During a recent episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Conroy talked about the critical role payments play as both the starting point and final touch of the guest experience – 'payments are the infrastructure play,' she told Skift founder and CEO Rafat Ali. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Why Payment Infrastructure Is Important Conroy said 80% of transactions at hotels currently require an employee to manually process them. • 'If we don't invest in the infrastructure, especially today in the environment with AI and all the technology, if you don't have an infrastructure, you can't exploit any of the innovation that's coming.' • 'If you don't have the right foundation, the woman whose desk has a stack of papers on it, they're gonna be so far behind and trying to take advantage of any innovation.' How ROH Works Conroy provided an example of a hotel event to illustrate how ROH automates the process of managing payments, which has historically been highly manual — from signing contracts to paying invoices and tracking changes. • 'That contract gets loaded into our system, our software reads that contract, (and) automatically sends you out invoices.' • 'It allows you to one-click pay — however you choose to pay. (It) automatically sends payment confirmations, and then follows up with you throughout the duration of that booking.' She added that if the value of the booking were to change, the additional information would be stored inside ROH, and the system would adjust automatically. Limited Areas of Innovation Conroy, who considers ROH to be 'a payments software business,' said that all the innovation she's seen during her roughly 15 years working in hospitality has focused on top-line revenue growth. • 'Generating more revenue, making every experience more valuable back to the business owner definitely matters.' • 'But what was often overlooked is the fact that for every new revenue stream, the support became very operationally inefficient.' What ROH Is Looking to Accomplish However, ROH isn't meant to replace other platforms. • 'We like to think that we're sort of the underpinnings, if you will, and we're not trying to be another system.' • 'We're trying to be a foundational layer that can eventually speak to the other systems that they're already using.' Conroy added that if hotels don't have to worry about payment-related issues, they can 'get back to hospitality.' • 'And you can get back to having the people on property focus on revenue-generating activities.' • 'As opposed to what a lot of time is spent on today, which are operational burdens that really shouldn't exist with the technology we have today.' Related
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Knickerbocker Hotel Selects ROH to Modernize Payments Processes and Streamline Group Booking Operations
Iconic NYC hotel improves PCI compliance and automates payment workflows increasing conversion rates and interdepartmental visibility NEW YORK, May 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ROH, the hospitality industry's first payments management platform that unlocks hotel profitability, today announced that The Knickerbocker Hotel, a The Leading Hotels of the World property that's operated by Highgate and owned by RLJ Lodging Trust, has selected ROH to transform the full lifecycle of payments and create strategic, operationally-sound processes for each piece of the payments journey. With ROH, The Knickerbocker alleviates the operational burden of manually chasing contracts, deposits and credit card authorizations that can lead to late or missed payments as well as missed documentation that should be tethered to each booking. Compliant, automated workflows free up team members' time for converting new sales as well as expanding the opportunities with existing customers. "Driving long-term profitability in hospitality requires a fresh approach to technology—especially in payments, where complexity and fragmentation have historically slowed progress," said Jess Conroy, CEO and Founder of ROH. "The Knickerbocker team understands that simply having a piece of technology to run transactions is not the same as having a payments platform in place. With ROH, they have the structure, visibility and automation needed to create true operational alignment and unlock lasting efficiency. This partnership reflects The Knickerbocker's continued innovation, blending classic luxury with modern service, reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence while empowering staff to focus on driving sales and creating memorable experiences that define this iconic property." ROH's payment technology transforms hotel operations with streamlined processes that enhance PCI compliance. The platform creates effortless coordination between sales and finance teams managing sophisticated group bookings with complex deposit schedules by automating payment processes that previously required manual oversight. This purpose-built solution drives greater efficiency across properties, ensures faster payments and creates a more seamless experience for both staff and guests throughout the payment lifecycle returning time to drive up conversions. The Knickerbocker is a landmark destination in the heart of New York City, offering over 7,800 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space with distinguished views of Times Square. From intimate gatherings to large business meetings, The Knickerbocker transforms every gathering into an imaginative and unforgettable experience. If you're interested in learning more about how ROH can unlock profitability for your hotels, please email sales@ About ROH ROH is the hospitality industry's first payments management platform that unlocks profitability. ROH drives conversions, increases revenue and provides real-time data and insights for large hospitality groups, asset owners and their brands that collectively manage over $4T in Gross Payment Volume (GPV). ROH is quickly becoming an indispensable partner to forward-thinking hospitality groups including Loews Hotels & Co, Crescent Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Auberge Resorts Collection, Noble House Hotels & Resorts and Evolution Hospitality. The company is proudly backed by investors including Highgate Technology Ventures, Acrew Capital, 1Sharpe Ventures, Founders Fund, Moore Specialty Credit, Correlation Ventures, SilverCircle, Cleo Capital and GMO VenturePartners. View source version on Contacts Media Kate Gundrypress@ 617-797-5174 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
The Knickerbocker Hotel Selects ROH to Modernize Payments Processes and Streamline Group Booking Operations
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ROH, the hospitality industry's first payments management platform that unlocks hotel profitability, today announced that The Knickerbocker Hotel, a The Leading Hotels of the World property that's operated by Highgate and owned by RLJ Lodging Trust, has selected ROH to transform the full lifecycle of payments and create strategic, operationally-sound processes for each piece of the payments journey. With ROH, The Knickerbocker alleviates the operational burden of manually chasing contracts, deposits and credit card authorizations that can lead to late or missed payments as well as missed documentation that should be tethered to each booking. Compliant, automated workflows free up team members' time for converting new sales as well as expanding the opportunities with existing customers. The Knickerbocker team understands that simply having a piece of technology to run transactions is not the same as having a payments platform in place. "Driving long-term profitability in hospitality requires a fresh approach to technology—especially in payments, where complexity and fragmentation have historically slowed progress," said Jess Conroy, CEO and Founder of ROH. "The Knickerbocker team understands that simply having a piece of technology to run transactions is not the same as having a payments platform in place. With ROH, they have the structure, visibility and automation needed to create true operational alignment and unlock lasting efficiency. This partnership reflects The Knickerbocker's continued innovation, blending classic luxury with modern service, reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence while empowering staff to focus on driving sales and creating memorable experiences that define this iconic property." ROH's payment technology transforms hotel operations with streamlined processes that enhance PCI compliance. The platform creates effortless coordination between sales and finance teams managing sophisticated group bookings with complex deposit schedules by automating payment processes that previously required manual oversight. This purpose-built solution drives greater efficiency across properties, ensures faster payments and creates a more seamless experience for both staff and guests throughout the payment lifecycle returning time to drive up conversions. The Knickerbocker is a landmark destination in the heart of New York City, offering over 7,800 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space with distinguished views of Times Square. From intimate gatherings to large business meetings, The Knickerbocker transforms every gathering into an imaginative and unforgettable experience. If you're interested in learning more about how ROH can unlock profitability for your hotels, please email sales@ About ROH ROH is the hospitality industry's first payments management platform that unlocks profitability. ROH drives conversions, increases revenue and provides real-time data and insights for large hospitality groups, asset owners and their brands that collectively manage over $4T in Gross Payment Volume (GPV). ROH is quickly becoming an indispensable partner to forward-thinking hospitality groups including Loews Hotels & Co, Crescent Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Auberge Resorts Collection, Noble House Hotels & Resorts and Evolution Hospitality. The company is proudly backed by investors including Highgate Technology Ventures, Acrew Capital, 1Sharpe Ventures, Founders Fund, Moore Specialty Credit, Correlation Ventures, SilverCircle, Cleo Capital and GMO VenturePartners.
