MCI - Association Engagement Index

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the definition of engagement?

Engagement is defined by the ongoing interaction between a member or customer and an organization in exchange for meaningful value. It is the emotional connection between a member or customer and your association. Highly engaged members or customers buy more, promote more, and demonstrate more loyalty.

How does the Association Engagement Index measure engagement?

The purpose of the Index is to understand the status of the relationship between associations and their communities and to give participating associations the opportunity to identify drivers of engagement and learn from best practices. The Index measures associations’ performance, benefits and preference as seen through the eyes of members and customers. This defines the relationship strength and the Engagement Index Score.

How much does participation in the Index cost?

Participation in this Index benchmark survey is free of charge for participating associations.

What do participating associations receive?

Each participating association will receive its individual Engagement Index Fact Sheet. This summary includes the engagement score, position in the overall Index, and an overview of principal KPIs. In addition, each association will have access to the full Association Engagement Index findings and Engagement Series of publications and events.

Can participating associations receive a detailed report?

A detailed report may be requested and will be subject to an individual contract between insidery (MCI’s research partner) and the association. This report will include an executive summary, association-specific insights and analysis of key drivers of engagement for €1,900.

When will the next edition of the Association Engagement Index be published?

The Index will be published every two years, the next one in 2026, allowing participating organizations to monitor their Index score and level of engagement.

What member types and categories, should receive the survey? What is a customer?

Professional Societies/Individual Member Organizations should send the survey invitation to:
- All member types and categories.
- GDPR compliant customers (prospect members, or those who purchase your products, participate in meetings/events etc. without becoming a member).
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Trade Associations should send the survey to:
- ALL individual contact names associated with each member company.

In addition, organizations may choose to include other stakeholders, such as industry partners and sponsors)

Who sends the survey to participating associations’ members/customers?

Each association is responsible for sending the invitation to its members and customers, with two reminder communications to ensure optimal response.

Can participating associations see the survey before signing up and inviting their members/customers to participate?

- Professional Societies/Individual Member Organizations may view the survey questions here.
- Trade Associations may view the survey questions here.

By when do associations need to send the survey invitation to their members?

The first invitation should be sent once participating associations have received their survey link from insidery and no later than the last week of January 2024. All invitations and reminders must be sent during the month of January-February 2024. The survey will close on 29 February 2024.

Who collects the data?

MCI has commissioned insidery as independent market research agency (www.insidery.net, member of BVM – Professional Association of German Market and Social Researchers) to conduct the survey. insidery managed all previous editions of the Index.

Responses to the survey will be held confidential by insidery.

What are the obligations of participating associations?

Each association is required to distribute the Index benchmark survey to its members, customers or contacts.
- For Professional Societies/Individual Member Organizations we request invitations to members and customers.
- For Trade Associations we request distribution to all named contacts within a member company.

In addition associations may decide if they wish to include other stakeholders (such as industry partners and sponsors).

Practicalities

Will the survey link contain our association’s name and branding?

You will receive a link to the survey for distribution to your members/customers. This will be personalized with the name/acronym of your association. The language of the survey is English. Since the survey is a benchmark study and Index further customization such as organizational branding or individual questions is not possible.

Is input from our members/customers confidential?

Insidery promises to hold confidential all data input received from the members and customers. Survey response is voluntary and completely anonymous. All data is saved on data servers located in the EU - GDPR conformity ensured. Only aggregated data is reported.

How will we know if our members/customers have answered the survey?

Insidery will monitor responses and let you know the response rate.

Register your interest

Thank you for your interest in the Association Engagement Index. Registration for the 2024 edition is now closed.For further information and to enquire about the next edition, please contact associations@wearemci.com.

Registration for the 2024 Association Engagement Index is now closed.

Register your interest below to receive updates for future editions of the Association Engagement Index.

Fill in the form below to sign up your association for the 2024 edition of the Association Engagement Index (AEI). Participation is free.

Contact Person for AEI (if not the same as above):

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Practicalities

Thank you for your interest in the Association Engagement Index.
Registration for the 2024 edition is now closed.

For further information and to enquire about the next edition, please contact associations@wearemci.com.