Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1519935
6 HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL | MAY 2024 | BUSINESS PROFILES Address: 20 Tower Lane, Suite 235, Avon, CT 06001 Phone: (413) 896-6733 Website: www.adstratllc.com Product or Service: Association Management and Event Planning Top Executive: Barb Dimauro, CEO No. of Employees: 5 Year Founded: 2012 W hen Barb Dimauro started managing professional trade associations, Audience Development Strategies (ADS) was a one-woman show. Her first association client, a state-wide construction group, needed oversight in finance, membership, marketing and sales, event planning, and administration. The group took a chance on Barb, who had a background in marketing, sales and event planning but was new to association management. After leading that first client to success, Dimauro took on additional associations in a variety of industries and the firm has now grown to a team of five professionals with expertise in operations, finance, event planning, graphic design, web development and marketing. Dimauro said that she doesn't often run into people who are familiar with Association Management Companies (or AMCs, as they are known in the association world). "I have to explain what an AMC does, and when I say it out loud it sounds overwhelming. Every arrangement with an association is essentially equivalent to taking over the management of an entire company, but my team and I love what we do and have perfected systems and roles to drive our clients to success." The client who started the association management line of business for ADS made a big impact on Dimauro and the direction of the company. Dimauro explained, "The relationships that we've built in the construction industry have been the most rewarding aspect of our work. Being able to support the men and women who work with their hands, designing and building the world around us, has a meaning for me that goes beyond the working arrangement." In addition to managing construction association clients, ADS produces events for the construction industry including New England Women in Construction, an annual half-day program highlighting the challenges, opportunities and successes of women in the male-dominated industry. "It's important for us to find ways to give back to the industry and our community while bringing people together," said Dimauro. This June, ADS will hold an inaugural event, Construction Field Day, a full day of sessions, training, safety classes, demos and exhibits at Farmington Polo Club. ADS has also been integral in growing a client's scholarship program for students of the Connecticut Technical Education & Career System (CTECS). "Working with our client to build this program to support CTECS students has been a privilege," Dimauro said. "We know that the work we are doing is directly impacting students going into the trades. I have stayed in touch with many of these students and am so proud of what they have accomplished." Dimauro credits events with being the glue that holds associations together and said the ADS team spends countless hours focusing on every detail to create experiences that stand out. She explains, "I've been to far too many boring business events. ADS events meld fun, meaning, knowledge and connections," she said. "We know that people take time out of their day to attend, and we want every event to be worth it." Building blocks of success: Association management and events for the construction industry