From dream to reality, we caught up with Tara McKean to discover just how she built a thriving events business.
Self Events Co founder Tara McKean
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m the founder of Self Events Co, where I specialise in organising empowering women’s networking events. I also collaborate with business owners to bring their event visions to life, working as an extension of their team.
A career in events has completely transformed my life. It has allowed me to travel to incredible places across Australia, the USA, the UK, Spain, Morocco, Hong Kong, Dubai, and more.
My work spans a range of corporate clients, female founders and non-profits, both locally and internationally. I manage everything from conferences and gala dinners to exhibitions and community events, ensuring each event aligns with the client’s goals.
Additionally, I run my own events focused on International Women’s Day, wellness, women in business, and self-care, all with the aim of inspiring others to pursue their biggest goals.
Tara hosting for Self Events Co
What initially compelled you to undertake the Diploma? And what was the first thing you did after graduating?
After graduating from university on the Sunshine Coast with a Bachelor of Business (Tourism, Leisure, and Event Management), I realised I wanted more practical experience, particularly in event management.
When I discovered the College of Event Management, I knew it was the perfect course for me. The program’s emphasis on 80 hours of work experience and practical skills necessary for success in the industry was exactly what I was looking for. Moving to Melbourne, where there were far more opportunities in the industry compared to Queensland at the time, was also a key factor in my decision.
Before I even graduated from CoEM, I landed a full-time job at ExpoNet, one of Australia’s largest exhibition suppliers which I loved!
What was the most valuable thing you learned?
The combination of practical projects, work experience, and our final project—where we had to plan an entire event from start to finish and pitch it—was invaluable. It pushed me far out of my comfort zone and was crucial to my career in the industry. Applying what we learned in class each week to real-life volunteer work experience was especially beneficial.
Running my own events has been the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life. I never imagined back in my CoEM days, when I was volunteering for events I was passionate about, that I would one day be running these events myself. I always thought I’d be working for someone else!
Self Events Co founder Tara McKean
Proudest achievement in events to date?
My proudest achievements include working on major exhibitions like Good Food & Wine and Telstra Vantage early in my career, moving to London and securing my dream job organising conferences, awards ceremonies, and exhibitions around the world, and starting my own business.
Running my own events has been the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life. I never imagined back in my CoEM days, when I was volunteering for events I was passionate about, that I would one day be running these events myself. I always thought I’d be working for someone else!
How has a career in events changed your life?
A career in events has completely transformed my life. It has allowed me to travel to incredible places across Australia, the USA, the UK, Spain, Morocco, Hong Kong, Dubai, and more. I’ve stayed in amazing hotels, worked remotely, and enjoyed flexible working hours. The industry has pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way, forcing me to grow in confidence, learn on the job, and solve problems constantly. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
What advice would you give to anyone considering doing the Diploma?
Go for it! Events are so much more than just parties, weddings, or music festivals. The opportunities are vast, but you get out what you put in. Say yes to every opportunity and task that comes your way. Ask questions and put yourself out there—you never know who you’ll meet or where it will lead. The hours are long, and there’s more work than you might expect, but the adrenaline and the thrill of seeing it all come together are absolutely worth it!
Many thanks to Tara for helping us out with this incredibly inspiring blog post. You can find Tara on Linkedin or Instagram
Graduates from College of Event Management are job-ready! If you’re wanting to find out more about a career in event management there’s plenty of information:
- On our website about our specialised event courses
- Any of our course advisors will be more than happy to chat to you on 02 9280 4912 or you can contact us HERE >>
