Join us for an evening of networking and conversation with our expert panel discussing what it takes to create a successful brand and how tourism operators can leverage from sport.

Tuesday 23rd April 2024

4.30pm - 6.30pm

Ian Potter Recital Hall
29 Campbell Street, Hobart (Entry via the Hedberg)

Nibbles and a welcome drink provided with a cash bar available for further purchases.
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It is an exciting time for sport in Tasmania. The Tasmania Devils AFL team has recently launched to incredible acclaim, amassing over 170,000 foundation members in just a matter of weeks. This success, comes before a single player has been signed to the team.

In 2020, Tasmania secured an NBL licence, with the team launching in October of that year as the Tasmania JackJumpers. The success of the team has skyrocketed over such a short period of time, attracting a strong Tasmanian fan base, and many mainland fans claiming the JackJumpers as their 'second favourite team'. In just three seasons, the JackJumpers have appeared in three NBL Finals Series, continuing to play in two Grand Finals; famously taking out the championship on Easter Sunday.

Founded 30 years ago, the Hobart International is a women's professional tennis tournament and is a lead-in event to the Australian Open. Held at the Domain Tennis Centre in Hobart, the event has played host to a number of top rated International players, all who travel with their support teams, families and fans.

Our panel will share insights into creating a strong brand, how to positively engage Tasmanian communities, and how sport can bring big wins for tourism.

Meet our panel:

Kath McCann | Executive Director, Tasmania Football Club
Kath has worked across Executive roles in the public, private and for-purpose sectors, including extensive experience in the aviation, entertainment, tourism and hospitality industries. Kath is currently the Executive Director of Tasmania Football Club. Kath is most importantly wife to Adam and mum to Oscar and Harriet. She strongly believes in a positive mindset and an active lifestyle, you will find her regularly working with junior hockey teams and participating in fun runs.

Christine Finnegan, Tasmania JackJumpers

Christine Finnegan | CEO, Tasmania JackJumpers
Christine has over 25 years experience in professional sport commencing her career at Tennis Australia and progressing through the ranks of three football codes including Rugby Union (ACT Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels); Rugby League (Melbourne Storm); AFL (AFL Players Association and St Kilda Football Club) as well as the Commonwealth Games. Christine is a people driven leader with expertise in brand and commercial operations. She relocated to Tasmania to in October 2020 to start up the Tasmania JackJumpers as their Chief Commercial and Marketing officer and following a 6 months stint as their interim CEO has now been permanently appointed to the role. Christine has played a pivotal role in the club’s ongoing success both on and off the court, culminating in the 2024 NBL Championship, which created history in the Australian Sporting Landscape. Christine was part of the inaugural AFL Women in Leadership Program and the AFL Executive Leadership Program which has nurtured up and coming talent to Chief Executive roles. She is a passionate advocate for women to find pathways in male dominated environments particularly in the sports industry.

Darren Sturgess | General Manager, Tennis Tasmania & Tournament Director for Hobart International
Darren joined Tennis Tasmania 7 years ago relocating from a role in Melbourne with Tennis Australia and the Australian Open (AO). Since joining Tennis Tasmania, he has worked on establishing strong relationships across the tennis community, governments, and stakeholder base to grow tennis opportunities across Tasmania. Further to that, Darren has brought a focus on continually improving the Hobart International with the event in January of this year being the most successful in its history. Record crowds, and an improved experience for the fans and the players is something that continues to improve and will be a focus for the future.

Kate Mirowski | Director, Events Tasmania
Kate is a highly experienced leader in the public sector with a background in small business, human resources, sport and recreation and grants management. Kate has held a number of positions across diverse and high-profile Government organisations and portfolios, including Antarctic Tasmania and the Office of the Coordinator General. Before coming onboard as Events Tasmania Director, Kate led the Small Business team in the Department of State Growth. During this time Kate led the development and implementation of over $165 million in grants, support, and services to Tasmanian businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kate is known for her ability to foster teamwork and build relationships with stakeholders as well as her strong work ethic, genuine sense of care and focus on delivering results. Kate is committed to leading her team to enable and support the incredible work being done by our events community, with a focus on supporting activity as outline in the recently released Tasmanian Government Events Strategy 2023-2027.

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This year, we have moved our event ticketing to Humanitix, an Australian based company creating positive social impact in communities around the world. We will also be doing our part, promoting Tasmanian causes and encourage you, if possible, to make a donation when selecting your ticket.

We are able to deliver Tips and Tipples events to our members free of charge as part of their membership benefits package, however, if you are not a partner or financial member of DST and would like to come, or if you are a member and would like to bring a guest, please contact us. Please let us know if you have any specific access requirements.