We track how our site is used by both anonymous visitors and registered users who interact with the site. One way we track is by using “cookies.” A cookie is a small file or string of text on the site user’s computer that is used to aid Web navigation. Two types of cookies are commonly used. A session cookie is created by a website when that website is accessed; that type of cookie is automatically deleted by closing the Web browser. A persistent cookie is a cookie that is stored on the hard drive of the user’s computer for a period of time chosen by the website that set the cookie, usually for a number of years, unless the user deletes it manually. This policy distinguishes between short-lived cookies and long-lasting cookies. Short-lived cookies include all session cookies and those persistent cookies that are set to be stored for no more than one week. WWS-related websites may at times require users to accept short-lived cookies in order for the websites to function properly. Long-lasting cookies may be used on the site to track visitor practices to help determine which site features and services are most important and guide editorial direction. Other long-lasting cookies may make it possible for the user to access the site without requiring entry of a user name or password, allow the user to view different restricted areas of the site without re-registering, allow the user to personalize the site for future use and provide other features and benefits. Users who do not desire the functionality created by the long-lasting cookie can disable the long-lasting cookie function, either by indicating when asked that they do not wish to have a long-lasting cookie created or by disabling the long-lasting cookie function on their Web browser. Individuals can opt out of long-lasting cookie functions at any time.
Worldwide Stages, LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “WWS” or “our” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it at all times. This online Privacy Policy explains how WWS collects, uses and safeguards information on its various websites and apps. We collect information about our users in three ways: directly from the user, from our Web server logs and through cookies and other technologies. We use the information primarily to provide you with a personalized Internet experience that delivers the information, resources, and services that are most relevant and helpful to you. We don’t share any of the information you provide with others, unless we say so in this Privacy Policy, or when we believe in good faith that the law requires it. You should review this Policy and our related Terms of Use. By accessing our websites and using our services, you agree to this Privacy Policy and to be bound by our Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use and this Privacy Policy, you should end this session now and refrain from using our websites and apps in the future.
Changes to the Privacy Policy
As our organization, membership and benefits change from time to time, we expect this Privacy Policy to change as well. We reserve the right to amend the Policy at any time, for any reason, and will signal a change by revising the “Last updated” date at the bottom of this page.
What information we collect and how we use it
Information we collect — When you browse our site, for example, and do not interact with the site for any online service or product from WWS, you browse anonymously. Information that identifies you personally–such as your name, address, phone number and email address–is not collected as you browse.
When you create an account to become a registered user on our site, or choose to interact with us in other ways, such as subscribing to WWS alerts & publications, submitting questions or comments or requesting information or materials, we will collect certain personal information from you. The type will vary but may include name, address, phone number, birth date, billing and delivery information, email address, credit card information and other demographic information. We do not collect Social Security numbers via any WWS website. The product or service that you seek will determine the personal information collected.
How we use personal information — Once collected, we may use your personal information for the following purposes:
· Register you for programs and services you have requested
· Process, fulfill and follow up on your orders or requests
· Provide access to proprietary content
· Answer your emails or on-line requests
· Send information you request
· Send and process surveys
· Ensure WWS sites are relevant to your needs
· Deliver WWS services such as alerts, newsletters, meetings or events
· Recommend content that suits you
· Alert you when fresh content is posted or released
· Notify you about special offers, upgrades and other related information from WWS and approved third parties
You can manage your account, limit alerts or opt-out of some or all future communications. All e-mail communications contain an “unsubscribe” option in case you want to discontinue the communication at any time. Contact us via the phone number or contact form on our site at any time to:
· See what data we have about you, if any;
· Change/correct any data we have about you;
· Ask us to delete any data we have about you; and/or
· Opt out of some or all future communications from us.
When we hire vendors to deliver emails to you on our behalf, they are under agreement and limited from using your email address and other personal information for any other purpose.
These email messages may contain “clear GIFs” or “Web beacons” to measure the offer’s effectiveness so we know how to serve you better. We do not collect information that identifies you personally through “clear GIFs” or “Web beacons.” You may refuse or remove the placement of these and other cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your web browser.
How to opt out of email — To opt out of future emails and newsletters, go to our WWS Contact page or click the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email or other content sent from/by WWS.
With whom we may share information — WWS may share personal information (except your email address) with our business partners in order to provide them an opportunity to offer products or services that may be of interest to you. WWS also occasionally hires other companies to provide limited services on our behalf including, but not limited to, processing credit card transactions, packaging, mailing and delivering purchases, answering customer questions about products or services, consulting services, data modeling, printing, sending postal mail and processing membership and event registration. We will only provide those companies the information they need to deliver the service. They are prohibited from using that information for any other purpose. Except as described in this section, third parties may not collect personally identifiable information about your online activities over time or across different Web sites when you use our web sites.
WWS may disclose your personal information to a third party if (1) reasonably necessary to perform a service or deliver a product or publication; (2) authorized by you; (3) permitted under this Privacy Policy; (4) required by statue or regulation; or (5) in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) conform to legal requirements or comply with legal process served on WWS; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of WWS; (c) protect the personal safety of WWS personnel or members of the public in urgent circumstances; or (d) enforce WWS’s Privacy Policy or Terms of Use.
Tracking activity on our website We track how our sites are used by both anonymous visitors and registered users who interact with the site. One way we track is by using “cookies.” A cookie is a small file or string of text on the site user’s computer that is used to aid Web navigation. Two types of cookies are commonly used. A session cookie is created by a website when that website is accessed; that type of cookie is automatically deleted by closing the Web browser. A persistent cookie is a cookie that is stored on the hard drive of the user’s computer for a period of time chosen by the website that set the cookie, usually for a number of years, unless the user deletes it manually. This policy distinguishes between short-lived cookies and long-lasting cookies. Short-lived cookies include all session cookies and those persistent cookies that are set to be stored for no more than one week. WWS-related websites may at times require users to accept short-lived cookies in order for the websites to function properly. Long-lasting cookies may be used on the site to track visitor practices to help determine which site features and services are most important and guide editorial direction. Other long-lasting cookies may make it possible for the user to access the site without requiring entry of a user name or password, allow the user to view different restricted areas of the site without reregistering, allow the user to personalize the site for future use and provide other features and benefits. Users who do not desire the functionality created by the long-lasting cookie can disable the long-lasting cookie function, either by indicating when asked that they do not wish to have a long-lasting cookie created or by disabling the long-lasting cookie function on their Web browser. Individuals can opt out of long-lasting cookie functions at any time.
Cookies are required for some sections of the website. Cookies are essential for site administration and security. Another way we track site activity is by using transparent electronic images called “clear GIFs,” “Web bugs,” or “Web beacons” on Web pages. These images count the number of users who visit that page from specific banner ads outside our site or through email links. A similar image, sometimes called a “spotlight tag,” is used on Web pages where transactions take place. The spotlight tag collects numeric information, such as the dollar amount of an online purchase, to help us understand usage of the site. We do not use any of these electronic images to collect personally identifiable information.
Third party tracking on our websites – Third parties do not track or collect any personal information on individual visitors at our sites, except as set out in this Privacy Policy. Ad networks and data analytics firms track and analyze traffic on WWS sites, in part, to determine advertising effectiveness, browser types and usage trends, and to present targeted ads based on anonymous information collected through tracking. This anonymous aggregate data on visitors and their use of our content provides business intelligence to better serve visitors, improve our content and track trends or contribute to improving health outcomes. If you open an ad, you leave our sites and become subject to the terms and practices of that separate website, which may have different rules about tracking and data usage. Activation of cookie blocking or Do Not Track settings in your browser, or other mechanisms that block cookies or other tracking technologies, will not affect the collection or use of personal information as outlined elsewhere in this Privacy Policy.
Children under 13 — We do not knowingly solicit data online from or market online to children under the age of 13.
Information security — WWS implements security measures to protect against unauthorized access to or unauthorized alteration, disclosure or destruction of data. We restrict access to personal information to our employees and WWS’s business partners who may need to know that information in order to operate, develop or improve our services. These individuals are bound by confidentiality obligations and may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations.
How we safeguard information
Site security features
SSL technology and how you benefit from it — WWS realizes the importance of security, so we’ve taken a number of steps to enhance the protection of personal information sent to or from WWS over the Internet. First, we require that a “secure session” be established, using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. This is done any time you supply or access information in one of our secure online areas.
SSL technology creates a private conversation that only your computer and WWS systems can understand. The SSL technology encodes information as it is being sent over the Internet between your computer and WWS systems, helping to ensure that the transmitted information remains confidential.
User ID and password — Many areas of the site require the use of a user ID and password as an additional security measure that helps protect your information. This allows WWS to verify who you are, thereby allowing you access to your account information and preventing unauthorized access. When you have finished using a secure area of WWS’s website, make sure you always click on the “Log Out” link which appears on every secure page. When you click on the “Log Out” link, you will be given the option to end your secure session. No further secure transactions can be conducted without re-entering your user ID and password. You should be aware that browser software often “caches” a page as you look at it, meaning that some pages are saved in your computer’s temporary memory. Therefore, you may find that clicking on your “Back” button shows you a saved version of a previously viewed page. Caching in no way affects the security of your confidential user ID or password.
No guarantee — Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. Accordingly, and despite our efforts, WWS cannot guarantee or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us, or to or from our online products or services. Email messages sent to or from a website may not be secure. Confidential information should not be sent by e-mail. Site visitors sending e-mail accept the risk that a third party may intercept e-mail messages.
Linking to other Internet sites
You should be aware that other Internet sites that link to WWS sites or to an WWS email may contain privacy provisions that differ from these. To ensure your privacy is protected, we recommend that you review the privacy statements of other Internet sites you visit.
How you can access and change information
If you are a registered user of an WWS website, subscriber to WWS publications, purchaser of WWS products or an WWS member, you may review and update or correct your information online or by contacting [email protected]
Public Areas of the Site
WWS and the WWS Site may feature public forums where users with similar interests can share information and support one another or where users can post materials (User-Generated Content). Such communities/areas are open to the public and should not be considered private.
Any information (including Personal Information) you share in any online community area including a blog, posting or online discussion is by design open to the public and is not private. You should think carefully before posting any Personal Information in any public forum. What you post can be seen, disclosed to or collected by third parties and may be used by others in ways we cannot control or predict, including to contact you for unauthorized purposes. As with any public forum on any site, the information you post may also show up in third-party search engines.
If you mistakenly post information in our public areas and would like it removed, you can send us an email to request that we remove it by using the contact us link on the Site. In some cases, we may not be able to remove your Personal Information.
Emails You Send to WWS: This Privacy Policy does not apply to information, content, business information, ideas, concepts or inventions that you send to WWS by email. If you want to keep content or business information, ideas, concepts or inventions private or proprietary, do not send them in an email to WWS.
Last Updated: December 2022