Privacy Policy
Effective Date: Dec 1, 2025
Design Futures Council (“DFC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website designfuturescouncil.com (the “Site”).
By using the Site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
Personal Information You Provide
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:
- Subscribe to our newsletter
- Submit contact forms or inquiries
- Apply for patronage
- Register for events or professional development programs
- Make payments for services or registrations
This information may include:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Organization/company name
- Job title
- Mailing address
- Payment information (credit card details, billing address)
Information Automatically Collected
When you visit our Site, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing actions, including:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Operating system
- Pages visited and time spent on pages
- Referring website addresses
- Date and time of visits
This information is collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Send newsletters and updates about Design Futures Council activities
- Respond to your inquiries and provide customer service
- Process patron applications and membership services
- Register you for events and professional development programs
- Process payments for services and event registrations
- Improve and personalize your experience on the Site
- Analyze Site usage and optimize Site performance
- Send administrative information (updates to policies, terms, etc.)
- Comply with legal obligations
3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us improve your experience on our Site. We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain on your device until deleted).
How We Use Cookies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:
- Remember your preferences
- Understand how you use our Site
- Analyze Site traffic and performance through Google Analytics
- Improve Site functionality
Your Cookie Choices
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- Block all cookies
- Accept only certain cookies
- Delete cookies after your session
Please note that disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of the Site.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to collect information about Site usage. Google Analytics uses cookies to track visitor interactions. The information generated is transmitted to and stored by Google.
To opt out of Google Analytics, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on available at: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
Service Providers
We may share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:
- Email marketing platforms (for newsletter distribution)
- Payment processors (for event registrations and program payments)
- Analytics providers (Google Analytics)
- Web hosting providers
These service providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the purposes of providing services to us and to protect your information.
Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:
- Court orders or legal process
- Requests from government authorities
- Protection of our rights, property, or safety
- Prevention of fraud or illegal activity
Business Transfers
If Design Futures Council is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
5. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Secure socket layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission
- Secure payment processing through third-party payment processors
- Regular security assessments
- Limited access to personal information by authorized personnel only
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
6. Payment Information
When you make payments for event registrations or professional development programs, your payment information (credit card details) is processed by third-party payment processors. We do not store your complete credit card information on our servers.
Our payment processors comply with industry standards for payment security, including PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard).
7. Your Privacy Rights
Access and Update
You have the right to access and update your personal information. You may:
- Update your newsletter subscription preferences
- Request access to the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
Opt-Out
You may opt out of receiving promotional emails from us by:
- Clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any promotional email
- Contacting us directly at contact@designfuturescouncil.com
Please note that even if you opt out of promotional emails, we may still send you transactional or administrative emails (such as event confirmations or policy updates).
Do Not Track
Some web browsers have a “Do Not Track” feature. Currently, our Site does not respond to Do Not Track signals.
8. Children’s Privacy
Our Site is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete that information.
9. Third-Party Links
Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
10. International Users
Design Futures Council is based in the United States. If you access our Site from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By using our Site, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the “Effective Date” above.
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Site after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Design Futures Council
25 Technology Parkway South, Suite 101
Norcross, GA 30092
United States
Email: contact@designfuturescouncil.com
Legal Disclaimer:
This Privacy Policy is provided as a template and should be reviewed by a qualified attorney before publication. Privacy laws vary by jurisdiction. This is not legal advice.
