Darren Walls established SportsHosts in January 2016 after a year of extensive research into digital travel opportunities. Walls has extensive experience in tourism, leisure, and sport. Key areas of expertise include strategic, business and feasibility planning, destination/attraction brand development, management, marketing and corporate partnerships.

Between 2006 and 2014, Walls worked in several executive roles for the Grollo Group predominately with Grollo Leisure and Tourism (GLT). Key projects at GLT included Mt. Buller Ski Lifts strategic and business plans, Mt. Buller brand revitalisation, the development and management of the Medibank Icehouse, integration of new businesses including Altitude Retail, Mogul Ski World, and Jigsaw Travel.

Darren joined GLT after three years at Zoos Victoria, where he held the position of Director of Commerce and Marketing after joining as the Corporate Marketing and Communications Manager.

Board positions have included; Chair of Destination Docklands the destination marketing body for the Docklands in Melbourne. Board member, Jesuit Social Services where he was chair of the fundraising committee responsible for the $6m fundraising program and Maldon Incorporated the destination management body for Australia’s first notable town.

Darren holds a Masters of Business Administration (Distinction), Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment, Diploma of Financial Markets and an Associate Diploma of Applied Science. He was the recipient of the St George Bank and Commonwealth Bank Awards for his work in financial market economics and is a graduate of the Committee of Melbourne’s Future Focus Group leadership program.