BUSINESS EVENTS TASMANIA BOARD
Darren’s passion is Tasmanian small business, ICT and in particular the National Broadband network. Darren is committed to growing the Tasmanian ICT sector and a strong advocate for the on-going development and success of Tasmanian small business and Tasmanian ICT companies.
Darren represents the ICT and small business industries on a number of boards including a past President of TAS ICT, Tasmania’s peak industry body, and past Chairman of TCCI Small Business committee. Chairman of the 5 Days of Innovation Festival held in May 2010 and 2012.
Most recently Darren was appointed as a “Business Events Tasmania” to help grow the conference and events market in Tasmania. Darren was also the past vice Chairman of Tasmania’s Digital Futures Advisory Council.
Darren is the CEO of Autech one of the most awarded ICT companies in Tasmania, winning more than 24 State and National and International Awards. Autech was named “Australia’s most innovative company at the Inaugural G’Day USA innovation shoot-out in “New York” Darren was chosen by a panel of prestigious judges including the Wall Street Journal – Autech is the only Tasmanian Company to win this award.
Prior to working at Federal Group, Dominic was the General Manager of Marketing and Sales at Cascade Brewery, the oldest continually operating brewery in Australia. His main areas of responsibility were sales force structure, customer and consumer engagement and the delivery of volumetric and financial targets. During his time at Cascade, Dominic received a prestigious State Marketing Award for playing a key role in the creation of the Cascade First Harvest brand. He also led the redevelopment of the Cascade Visitors centre. He previously worked at Nestle Dairy Products and spent seven years in the travel and tourism sector with QANTAS Airways.
Dominic was the Chairman of AFL Tasmania from 2007 until early 2016. He has also been a director on the board of the Tasmanian Hospitality Association since 2010.
Dominic has a strong interest in all sports as a participant and spectator, enjoys keeping fit and spending quality time with his family and friends.
Before joining the University of Tasmania David had an extensive career as a senior executive in the public, private and community sectors in Australia. In Tasmania, David was Deputy Secretary in the Department of Health and Community Services and in Victoria, Deputy Secretary in the Premiers Department. In Victoria, David was instrumental in establishing the Department for Victorian Communities. David’s research crosses the theme areas of Better Health, Creativity Culture and Society and, Data Knowledge and Decisions.
Previous to this, John held the position of Chief Operating Officer at the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC), where he managed the successful completion of the seven- year STCRC program, influencing program design and implementation to ensure sector relevance. In this position John also led the development of a comprehensive online portal to disseminate information on sustainable tourism -Sustainable Tourism Online. Before then, John was CEO at Tourism Sunshine Coast, one of Queensland’s major regional tourism organisations.
Paula has over 25 years’ experience in Conference and Event Management and is a Certified Event Manager through the Professional Conference Organisers Association; she is the Tasmanian Director of this peak industry body, and was the 2012 Telstra Business Women’s Awards Business Owner of the Year for Tasmania.
After working extensively within hospitality Sarah went on to own and operate a café and retail outlet in North Hobart. Following this Sarah moved into hotel event management and tourism marketing.
Previously a Business Development Manager with Business Events Tasmania, Sarah gained vital experience and knowledge of state-wide industry operations as well as national and international trends and consumer expectations.
Sarah is the Partnerships Manager for the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmanian (RACT) and Vice President of Skal International Hobart, a worldwide organisation for travel and tourism professionals.