A new, independent survey commissioned by IDFA has found that more than 75 percent of those surveyed gave the association an overall approval rating of very satisfied or somewhat satisfied – the two highest ratings on the scale. Less than one percent of respondents indicated they were not satisfied at all with services. More than 840 dairy professionals, including IDFA members and non-members, responded to the survey, which was fielded earlier this year.

Conducted by Repass, Inc., a market research firm, the survey was initiated by Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO, to measure satisfaction with specific IDFA member services, such as government and regulatory affairs initiatives, communications products and training programs. The survey also gauged the level of importance members attached to these services and how frequently they use them.

“It’s essential that what we do aligns with the needs and interests of our members and the industry at large,” said Dykes. “We’re pleased that we’re meeting their expectations in many areas and that we identified several areas where we can offer improvements and enhancements.”

The survey included in-depth interviews with 46 current or past board members. It also incorporated written responses from 730 executives and managers representing a cross-section of IDFA member organizations and more than 112 employees of industry organizations that are not members.

Key Findings

• Members who have more involvement with IDFA, such as serving on a board or committee, and those who have interacted directly with staff are most highly satisfied.

• Respondents agree that the issues of food safety and defense and of food labeling and standards should be key focus areas for IDFA. Both were cited as important across diverse dairy categories.
• Respondents value the focus of in-person training and the time efficiency of webinar-based approaches. They would like to see enhanced offerings that provide training and certification programs to address corporate training gaps, including topics related to the Food Safety Modernization Act, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plans and sector-specific production.
• IDFA’s communications products and website were highly rated, with members expressing a strong desire for more in-depth content in News Update and on idfa.org.  

Dykes shared the results earlier this month with board members at ProFood Tech in Chicago. IDFA is now developing specific plans and programs to address opportunities revealed by survey findings. Read “The Takeaway: IDFA Member Services Survey” here.

For more information, contact Peggy Armstrong, IDFA vice president for communications, at parmstrong@idfa.org.