Andrew, I think it's data mining. This information provides a picture of the business connections of forum members; for example, the forum has XXX members who indicate they have a business relationship with ZZZ MSP.
If ZZZ MSP learns that 341 of its shoppers participate in this forum, that makes this forum stronger and more important to ZZZ. If shoppers as a group gain recognition, then our voice is more readily heard.
In the absence of data, the MSPs have no way of knowing (1) how many of their shoppers are involved on the forum and (2) how many are untapped experienced shoppers.
I have no knowledge of the intent in collecting this information, but it is my fervent hope it can be used to set up some kind of referral system on jobs that will help us make faster and easier connections.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.